Arts Education, MAT

Program Overview

The Master of Arts in Teaching in Art Education (MAT I) is a 30-credit pre-service degree program preparing students for PreK-12 art licensure in Virginia. The program emphasizes studio-based art education, collaboration with public schools, and culminates in a teaching internship and seminar. The MAT II concentration provides continuing education for licensed art teachers.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Master of Arts in Teaching in Art Education (MAT I) is a pre-service degree program designed to prepare students with a BFA degree or equivalent for PreK-12 art licensure by the Commonwealth of Virginia. The program utilizes a studio-based approach to art education and involves close collaboration with area public school systems. The MAT degree comprises 30 credits of graduate art education, school practicum experience, studio work, and a pre-service teaching internship and seminar.

Outline:

The MAT program is structured into two concentrations:

• MAT II: For licensed art teachers seeking continuing education.

MAT I (Certification Concentration):

• Required Core Courses:
• AVT 595: Introduction to Art Teaching and Learning (3 credits)
• AVT 605: Issues and Research in Art Education (3 credits)
• AVT 667: Two-Dimensional Art Making and Differentiated Instruction (3 credits)
• AVT 668: Three-Dimensional Art Making Across Cultures (3 credits)
• MAT (I) Required Courses:
• AVT 691: Elementary Art Education (3 credits)
• AVT 692: Secondary Art Education (3 credits)
• AVT 695: Internship in Art Education (Student Teaching) (15 credits)
• AVT 696: Internship in Art Education Seminar (11 credits)
• EDRD 501: Literacy in Fine Arts, Health, and Physical Education (3 credits)
• EDUC 511: Child and Adolescent Development in Global Contexts (3 credits)

MAT II (Continuing Education Concentration):

• Required Courses:
• AVT 596: Independent Study (3 credits) or AVT 599: Special Topics in Art and Visual Technology (3 credits)
• Select 6 credits from approved AVT MAT 600-level courses
• Select 6 credits of graduate education courses from a list including EDRD 501, EDUC 511, EDUC 522, EDUC 537, EDUC 542, EDUC 543, EDUC 597, EDUC 606, EDUC 613, EDUC 614, EDUC 615, or other approved graduate-level courses.

Assessment:

• MAT I:
• Students must earn a B- or higher in licensure coursework.
• A comprehensive experience includes a group exhibition, "The Art of Teaching Art Showcase," where MAT candidates display and present PreK–12 student art completed during the internship, along with their own artwork.
• A culminating review of the intern's competencies is assessed through a professional teaching portfolio, completed during the internship seminar course.
• A committee of MAT faculty determines whether the student has mastered the field of study based on the final portfolio and exhibition.
• MAT II:

Teaching:

• The program utilizes a studio-based approach to art education.
• Students work closely with area public school systems.
• The program involves a pre-service teaching internship and seminar.

Careers:

• The MAT I program prepares students for PreK-12 art licensure in Virginia.
• The MAT II program is designed for licensed art teachers seeking professional development.

Other:

• Students must pass Praxis II and Virginia Communication and Language Assessment (VCLA) to receive placement for student teaching in the final semester.
• MAT I students must have a studio major in the Visual Arts and meet the Virginia Department of Education's required semester credit hours in specific areas: 12 hours of two-dimensional media, 12 hours of three-dimensional media, 9 hours of cultural context and art history, judgment and criticism, aesthetics, and 3 hours of related areas of the fine arts.
• MAT I students receive ongoing evaluation reviews by the MAT faculty to determine their progress toward their degree.
• Students who are unable to successfully complete the full student teaching internship and seminar will be terminated from the MAT in Art Education program.
• MAT I students originally admitted under provisional status must complete all endorsements and any assigned art education foundational courses by the date indicated on their provisional admission agreement and prior to admission to degree status.
• All MAT I students should meet all testing and coursework requirements prior to starting their student teaching internship.
• The program offers an accelerated Master's Degree in Art Education for academically strong undergraduates in Art.
• Students in the accelerated program must complete all endorsements and the Praxis Core Exam.
• Students in the accelerated program must meet the Virginia Department of Education's required semester credit hours in specific areas: 12 hours of two-dimensional media, 12 hours of three-dimensional media, 9 hours of cultural context and art history, judgment and criticism, aesthetics, and 3 hours of related areas of fine arts.
• Students in the accelerated program should work closely with their advisor to ensure they complete these course requirements through the BFA in Art and Visual Technology and MAT degrees.
• The program also offers an Art Education Licensure Graduate Certificate.