The BFA in Art Education degree is ideally suited for students with a serious interest in art and a desire to share that interest with others. The program prepares students to teach in PK-12 educational settings, with an emphasis on school settings but with opportunities to explore museum and community settings as well.

Students should be dedicated to helping young people develop their abilities to create and respond to art; exhibit adaptability to a variety of learning situations, student backgrounds, and personalities; demonstrate flexibility and imagination in using a range of art media, equipment, and facilities; and be resourceful in the development of instructional strategies relevant to contemporary students. This program leads to a Level 4 Teaching Certificate.

Opportunities for teaching art exist in a wide range of situations. Primarily, available positions are at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in both private and public schools. See current teaching opportunities by searching jobs at Teach Georgia (try searching by "Grades K–12 Combination", "Grades K–5 Combination", "Grades 6–8 Combination", and "Grades 9–12 Combination"). The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is a prerequisite for initial teacher certification. 

Program Highlights

  • Engage with the Local Community
    • Explore and participate in local community work and activism
    • Facilitate art experiences in an after-school program for middle-schoolers at the School of Art’s new contemporary art gallery, the Athenaeum (https://athenaeum.uga.edu/programs/ )
    •  
  • Engage with Local Schools
    • Teach art lessons to students in a local STEAM charter school
    • Spend time in local elementary and secondary schools, learning from practicing art teachers as part of your Art Education courses
    • Student teach at both the elementary and secondary levels during your final semester

Curriculum

Students are required to take 66 hours in art courses beyond the 19 required in Area VI of the core curriculum, including:

  • 6 hours of professional education courses
    • EDSE 4020 or 4030 Inclusion of Students with Special Needs
    • EDUC 2130 Exploring Learning and Teaching
  • 27 hours of Art Education courses (including student teaching)
    • ARED 2110S Investigating Critical and Contemporary Issues in Art Education
    • ARED 3070 Art & Society: Visual Culture, Diversity, and Pedagogy
    • ARED 4350S Elementary Curriculum in Art Education
    • ARED 4360S Secondary Curriculum in Art Education
    • ARED 4060S Art Education in School, Museum, and Community
    • ARED 5460 (Student Teaching, 9 credits)
    • ARED 5470 (Student Teaching Seminar, 3 credits)
  • Studio Art Courses to include:
    • painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture
    • A studio sequence (2 courses at 2000 level or above in sequence)
    • 9 hours of electives at the 3000/4000 level
  • 9 hours in Art History at the 3000/4000 level
>> Sample four year plan

 

Completion of the Major and Certification Requirements

  • 66 hours of coursework in the major, including student teaching. 

  • Minimum grade of C required for all courses, with the exception of a grade of B or higher in EDSE 4020 or 4030.

  • Passing scores on GACE Art Education Test I & II is required for Georgia Teacher Certification (Level 4)

 

For most current requirements and detailed course descriptions, refer to the UGA bulletin.

Additional opportunities that can be pursued in connection with the BFA in Art Education Degree

Applying to the Art Education Major

Area Admission Requirements 
  • Completion of Area F/VI with a GPA of 3.00 or above in these courses,
  • Completion of or enrollment in ARED 2110 Critical and Contemporary Issues in Education with a grade of 3.0 or higher. Review of application will also take into account attendance, professionalism, and initiative as assessed by your ARED 2110 instructor. 
  • An overall 2.5 G.P.A. is required for admission and must be maintained to remain in the major.
  • 35 hours of early field experiences in schools or community settings to be recorded on Art Ed Early Experience Form. NOTE: Observational and instructional experience that is gained as a part of UGA credited coursework may not be counted towards Early Experiences
  • IMPORTANT: In order to be enrolled in courses reserved for Art Education majors, such as ARED 4350S, ARED 4360S, and ARED 4060S, your Pre-Service Certificate through the College of Education and GaPSC must be processed. Without your Pre-Service Certificate, you may not take these courses.
When To Apply

Applications to the major are due on the following dates:

  • September 15
  • February 15
How to Apply

In order to apply, you will need digital files (pdf format) of the following documents:

  1. Your typed and signed Art Ed Early Experience Form
  2. Your most current degree audit (printable from Degree Works). When printing, choose the “What If” option on the left side of the screen and choose Art Education as your major. This will result in an audit that reflects your progress toward Art Education degree completion, including completion of Area F/VI.
  3. Your 500 word statement outlining your reasons for majoring in art education
  4. Five digital images of artwork created in university studio courses. Please label each file with course name (e.g. last name.studiowork.ARST2110.pdf).

Files must be pdf format and the file names should be as follows: lastname.itemdescription.pdf 

For example: smith.artedearlyexperienceform.pdf

Please send an email to the Program Coordinator for Art Education, Dr. Lynn Sanders-Bustle (bustle@uga.edu), indicating your intent to submit application materials and including the following information:

  • Name
  • UGA My ID
  • Student ID number (9 digit number starting with 810 or 811)

Once your email is received, you will be added to an eLC site which will provide instructions for submitting your digital files.

 

Please note that all digital files must be uploaded to the eLC site by the application deadline.

Sample four year plan

Faculty Contact: Dr. Lynn Sanders-Bustle, Program Coordinator for the BFA in Art Education degree, bustle@uga.edu 

If you are interested in earning a teaching certificate and already have an undergraduate degree, please see our Art Education Certification Only Program or MAED degree.