Art Education

The Bachelor of Arts in Art Education at Western Michigan University is a comprehensive program designed to prepare students for a rewarding career as art educators in diverse settings. This degree provides a solid foundation in fine arts, studio practices, art history, and educational theories, equipping graduates with the skills necessary to inspire and instruct students across age groups. Students engage in extensive studio coursework, exploring various mediums such as drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, and digital arts, fostering their artistic development and technical proficiency. The program emphasizes the importance of curriculum development, assessment strategies, and classroom management, ensuring future educators are well-prepared to create engaging and inclusive art learning environments. Practical teaching experiences are integrated throughout the curriculum through student teaching placements in local schools, allowing students to apply their classroom knowledge in real-world settings under the supervision of experienced mentors. The program also emphasizes the integration of technology in art education, encouraging innovative approaches to teaching art concepts and techniques. Faculty members are accomplished artists and educators committed to mentoring students and supporting their professional growth. Graduates of the Art Education program at Western Michigan University are eligible for K-12 teaching certification, enabling them to pursue careers as art teachers in public and private schools, community organizations, and arts institutions. The program fosters a strong sense of community and collaboration among students, inspiring lifelong engagement with the arts and educational innovation. With a curriculum designed to meet state certification standards and an emphasis on creative excellence and pedagogical effectiveness, the Bachelor of Arts in Art Education prepares students to become influential educators who can inspire the next generation of artists and art lovers.

Art education course requirements 18

6510 Art Education Theory (3 hours)
6520 Recent Topics in Art Education (3 hours)
6520 Recent Topics in Art Education (3 hours)
6530 Research in Art Education (3 hours)
7000 Master's Thesis (3 hours)
7000 Master's Thesis (3 hours)

Elective course requirements 12

ED 6000 Fundamentals of Measurement and Evaluation in Education (3 hours)
ED 6360 Advanced Instructional Strategies for Elementary Teachers (3 hours)
ED 6700 Authority and Autonomy in Schooling (3 hours)
EDLD 6740 School Community Relations and Cultural Competence (3 hours)
EDT 5030 Educational Technology Academy: Special Topics in Education (3 hours)
EDT 5400 Introduction to Computing and Technology for Productivity (3 hours)
EDT 5410 Introduction to Educational Technology (3 hours)
EDT 5420 Teaching with Technology: Design and Development for Learning (3 hours)
EDT 6440 Advanced Instructional Technologies (3 hours)
LS 5160 Professional Symposium in Reading (3 hours)
SOC 4540 Juvenile Delinquency (3 hours)
SPED 4270 Learners with Disabilities in Elementary and Middle School Programs (3 hours)
SPED 4290 Learners with Disabilities in Secondary Education Programs (3 hours)
SPED 6380 The Application of Behavior Theory to Classroom Teaching (3 hours)

Studio art, art history, or education course elective options

Graduate level (5000 level and above) studio art and art history courses offered by WMU, whether online, hybrid, or traditional format, may be counted toward elective credit requirements upon approval of the Art Education Graduate Program faculty.

MAEA/WMU Summer Professional Development Institute workshops may also be counted for graduate credit. Contact the Frostic School of Art academic advisor for details.

Other graduate level ED, EDLD, EDT, or SPED courses (5000 level and above), whether online, hybrid, or traditional format, may be counted toward elective credit requirements upon approval by the art education graduate program faculty.

Program sequence—year one

Fall
6510 Art Education Theory

Spring
6520 Recent Topics in Art Education

Two elective courses (6 hours) in fall, spring or summer terms

Program sequence—year two

Fall
6520 Recent Topics in Art Education

Spring
6530 Research in Art Education

Two elective courses (6 hours) in fall, spring or summer terms

Program sequence—year three

Fall
7000 Master's Thesis

Spring
7000 Master's Thesis

At the Gwen Frostic School of Art you will experience professional-level facilities that offer inventive spaces for the study, creation, and exhibition of art. Students choose the Frostic School of Art because it has the qualities of a private art school at a major research university. Students’ education is supported with a multitude of opportunities from other disciplines, including collaboration with the 3 other units that together form the College of Fine Arts: the Department of Dance, the School of Music, and the Department of Theatre. The School of Art encourages student to pursue their curiosity, become critical thinkers, and develop creative problem solving skills.

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Art Education

The Master of Arts in Art Education program is a completely online program that allows you to take your career as an educator to the next level. Designed for K-12 educators, this program will meet your needs whether you teach in a school or have a role in a museum or other community based art organization. With advanced curriculum around development, pedagogy, action research, leadership, ad advocacy in the visual arts, you will be empowered with the skills and voice you need to lead your students, and impact your own career path. The M.A. in Art Education is designed to be completed in 3 years. Teacher certification or art education endorsements are not offered through this program.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in art education or related area
• Minimum of a 3.0 undergraduate GPA
• Prior experience or demonstrated interest in art education

Application Deadlines

August 1             fall entry
December 1        spring entry
April 1                summer entry

Application Process

Within the WMU online application system at wmich.edu/apply, applicants must provide general information, including educational history and specific program requirements.
Requirements for the M.A. in Art Education application include:

• Official transcripts from previously attended post-secondary institutions
• A resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Three recommendations are required. Please send email requests for such recommendations from within the WMU online application system.
• Prepare a double-spaced, 500-1500 word, written statement in response to the text below and attached it within the online application.
  • Summarize your experiences in academic, professional, research, creative, or scholarly activities, and indicate how these experiences make you an ideal candidate for graduate study in art education. Also, address how these activities align with the strengths of the program and faculty, and with your professional goals, including future job positions. This statement should demonstrate your communication skills and writing competence.
• We do not require a graduate test

Applicants will be notified of admissions decisions to the master’s program in art education within 3 weeks of submitting a completed application.

For questions about the master’s art education program, contact Dr. William Charland at william.charland@wmich.edu.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

The Frostic School of Art is fortunate to have a significant number of scholarships entrusted to us by generous alumni, emeriti and friends. The income from these accounts permits us to recognize students with a diverse range of individual awards. At the April 2015 Awards Ceremony, the Frostic School of Art was able to award just over $200,000 in scholarship funds from our various endowments.

Scholarship and grant workshop for all students

Fall Term Workshop: Tuesday, October 13, 5 pm in RCVA 2008

Fall Term Enrichment Grant Deadline: Friday, November 6, 2015

Award announcements

Awards are announced at the Annual Frostic School of Art Awards Ceremony in April, and award letters are sent following the ceremony only to awardees. No letters are sent out to those not winning an award.

How to apply

Scholarship and grant applications are now submitted online through SlideRoom at frosticart.slideroom.com

Please see below for specific requirements for individual scholarships and grants. The following links provide useful information for preparing and formating your artwork for your application.

• Help menu for formatting your media files

Scholarships for entering freshman

• Harry S. Hefner Excellence in Art Scholarship
• Frostic School of Art Freshman Scholarship

Scholarships and grants for art majors and minors

Fall Term: Due First Friday in November

• Frostic School of Art Enrichment Grant (multiple awards)

Spring Term: Due Feb. 20

• Lydia Siedschlag Scholarship
• The Cornelius Loew Young Artist Scholarship
• Angie Gayman Carmer Art Scholarship
• James Kerr and Rose Netzorg Kerr Awards
• Judy A. and Theron F. Hallock Educational Enhancement Award for Painting and Photography*
• Norman E. Slack Endowed Scholarship for Art Education
• Friends of the Richmond Center for Visual Arts Undergraduate Award

*Available to Graduating Seniors

Awards by faculty nomination

• Nancy Monsour-Michael Shubeck College of Fine Arts Distinguished Student Scholarship
• Charles E. Meyer Award in Art History
• The Kathleen L. Debler Art Education Scholarship
• Margaret H. Ward Art Scholarship
• Elizabeth M. Smutz Award
• Haig and Janette Tashjian Art Teaching Scholarship
• Walter Enz Memorial Award
• Art Star Awards
• Presidential Scholar

Student show jury awards

Awards are selected from the annual student exhibit. Students must submit and be juried into the annual student exhibit to qualify. Deadlines for entry will be posted by Exhibitions Office.

• Robert and Eleanor DeVries Annual Student Art Awards (multiple awards)
• John and Margaret Merrion Award - $500
• Foundation Scholarship (multiple awards for the annual foundations exhibition)
• Student Show Awards (4 awards totaling $1000: Best of Show, First Place, Second Place, Third Place)

Administration nominations

• Frostic School of Art Director's Award
• Frostic School of Art Director's Good Citizen Award

Financial aid

• Full time or part time students

Informational links

• Study Abroad
• College Art Association

The College of Fine Arts has partnered with Residence Life to offer students majoring in the arts the option of living in the Fine Arts House, located in Draper/Siedschlag Hall. The Fine Arts House community provides a great opportunity for those with a love of visual and performing arts to live together.

Community Highlights

• Residents are a mixture of art, dance, music, and theatre majors
• Past activities include Courtyard Acoustics, painting murals, attending area cultural events, dinner with the College of Fine Arts dean, and much more
• Close proximity to Dalton Center, Gilmore Theatre Complex, and Richmond Center for Visual Arts
• The hall has two practice rooms and a visual arts room located on the floor, and a large studio in the basement with a dance floor and wall of mirrors.
• Draper/Siedschlag Hall has a carryout meal service for those busy days with rehearsals, recitals and studio sessions.
• Two Learning Community Assistants who are in the College of Fine Arts

Registration for the Fine Arts House

When registering for housing, you should indicate Draper/Seidschlag Hall as your primary choice when listing your residence hall preferences. If you have a roommate preference, both you and your roommate must request each other in order to be match in the community. If your requested roommate is not in the College of Fine Arts, we may not be able to place you together in the Fine Arts House if interest in the house is high.

Lydia Siedschlag Scholarship

By generous donation, special scholarships have been established for art students living in Siedschlag Hall, an on-campus residence hall for women. All qualifying students will automatically be considered for this scholarship upon successful application. Recipients are notified prior to the Annual Frostic School of Art Awards Ceremony.