Master of Arts in Art Education program

The studio component provides the opportunity to gain a professional
understanding of the making of art. Each studio course is a rigorous
experience, which engages the student in an exploration of the creative
process and aids each student in the formulation of a personal
philosophy that guides the making of each individual’s visual art.

The Art Education Seminars are designed to explore issues in
contemporary art education and to develop the necessary skills in
order to create meaningful and stimulating art curricula. Content is
integrated from four areas of professional study: art creation, art
criticism, art history and the philosophy of art. Coupled with a strong
art history and professional studio experience, the Art Education
Seminars are forums for the investigation of current and proposed
K-12 art education theory, practices and curriculum development.
The objective is to develop artists/ teachers able to identify, examine
and assess their own views on art education, successfully contribute
to the current discourse, and implement these views in their classrooms.

Art History courses are designed to investigate contemporary issues and ideas in art, as well as to explore
art in an historical context. The Art History component builds skills in language, critical reading and writing at the
graduate level. These are important elements in the formation of a rich and solid idea base for personal
expression and development of art education theory and practice.

The Journal is a required part of the work for each graduate course and is presented at reviews and used
in the final Portfolio Presentation. The goal of the Journal process in the MAAE program is for the student to
record and explore experiences that shape them as artists and art educators, and to provide links between
studio, academic courses and classroom teaching. As a record of growth during the student's three
years at the Art Academy, the Journal is a vehicle for self-examination that increases the level of engagement
in art making and teaching.

Comprehensive Reviews of course work take place twice during the degree program. When approaching
completion of fifteen credits in course work, the MAAE student applies for Advancement to Candidacy.
Advancement to Candidacy requires a concise written, oral and visual component to evaluate the quality
of work and progress in the program in preparation for the Portfolio Presentation in the final summer. The
Final Portfolio Presentation Review takes place as the student approaches completion of all course work
for the MAAE degree.

All students pursuing the MAAE degree and enrolled in studio courses are required to have individual
appointments with all studio faculty members each summer to review completed work and works in progress.
These critiques provide the opportunity for students to receive critical feedback from a variety of sources.

Candidates will make a Portfolio Presentation, which documents their growth as artists and art educators.
This portfolio consists of written, visual and oral components that demonstrate inquiry, reflection and synthesis.
The Portfolio Presentation consists of the candidate’s examination of ideas, artistic process and product, as
well as teaching practice. The development of these materials and information is ongoing as the student
proceeds through the MAAE program. The written component documents the candidate’s personal and
professional growth and synthesizes what has been learned. The visual component is an exhibition of a coherent
body of work produced during the program, which represents the candidate's visual, conceptual and technical
investigations. The oral component is a discussion of issues the candidate has been investigating through study
and practice. The oral presentation coincides with the candidate’s exhibition held in the final portion of
the summer.