Art Education - Initial Certification Program, B-12

The Art Education program offers a Master of Science in Art Education with New York State Initial Teacher Certification, Birth-Grade 12. Committed to developing well-rounded artist-teacher-researchers, the mission is to prepare students to become practicing artists and knowledgeable, reflective professional educators capable of teaching visual arts in diverse contexts and advancing change in the field.  The program blends theory and research with extensive clinical experience practice in area schools and Nazareth’s Saturday Art School.

The college’s Art Education programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. The M.S.Ed. Art Education program is registered with the New York State Department of Education.

Certification required for admission: None

Program leads to: New York Initial Certification in Art Education, B-12; upon logging appropriate work/job hours, eligibility to file for New York Professional Certification in Art Education

Admissions Eligibility: The following undergraduate liberal arts requirements are required by New York State for Initial Certification in Art Education:

• Applicants to initial certification programs must hold at least a bachelor’s degree and completion of the following coursework:

  • 15 semester credit hours (5 courses) in Liberal Arts and Sciences: 6 credits in English/Communications; 3 credits in Math or Science; 6 credits in Social Science

  • 30 semester credit hours (10 courses) in beginning and advanced coursework in art (6 credits – two courses in Art History)
• Note - Students can begin the graduate program if they are within 12 credits of  Liberal Arts and Science prerequisite course completion. Program Director permission must be obtained if the teacher candidate has 12 credits pending in studio art or art history.
• Note - All undergraduate liberal arts prerequisites must be successfully completed with a grade of C or higher and a minimum total cumulative GPA of 2.7, and must be remediated by the time the student completes 27 graduate credit hours

Admissions Process/Requirements:
Admission to the Nazareth University graduate programs and the Art Education program require:

1. Completed online application;
2. Professional statement (described on application);
3. Official transcripts from all colleges attended.
4. Applicant must have completed, or will be completing, a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative index of 3.0 and a “B” average in the major field by the start date of the desired term. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is expected. Applicants who does not meet these requirements must address each of the following in their professional statement:
   • Explain why grades were below Nazareth’s minimum expectations
   • Explain potential to positively contribute to the teaching profession
   • Describe relevant experiences and/or activities that demonstrate ability to successfully complete graduate work at Nazareth University
   • Outline specific procedures that will be followed to successfully navigate and meet the rigorous requirements of graduate study
5. Submission of an electronic portfolio: 10-15 art works (uploaded into the online application)
6. Two letters of recommendation that speak to the applicant’s potential for graduate level coursework, scholarship, and teaching skills;
7. Resume;
8. Applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted by the departmental admissions committee.

New York State Teacher Certification Examinations
In addition to the GPA requirements of the program, students are required to take and pass three New York State Certification exams:

1. Educating All Students Test (EAS)
2. Content Specialty Test-Visual Arts (CST)

Additional Certification Requirements
In addition to the certification exams listed above, prior to student teaching, New York State requires training–satisfied by a series of live and online workshops–in Health Education and Prevention of Violence; Prevention and Intervention Training in Harassment, Bullying, Cyberbullying and Discrimination in Schools; and Bloodborne Pathogen Training.

Filing for Certification
Teacher candidates who have successfully completed the above requirements, program coursework (listed below) and Student Teaching will complete Fingerprinting and a Background Check and pay the fees in effect at the time they apply, using the NYS TEACH system to formally file for their Initial Certification. For more information please see the School of Education section of the catalog.

Additional Support
Additional support may be obtained by contacting the Nazareth University Teacher Certification Office at (585) 389-2591 or by email at tcert@naz.edu, or go.naz.edu/cert.

Graduate Academic Standards:

• Nazareth’s graduate programs and the Art Education program require a cumulative 3.0 GPA.
• Student GPA’s are monitored each semester, and letters of Academic Warning and/or Dismissal from the program will be sent accordingly. For more information about these policies, see Academic Policies and Procedures.

Application Deadlines for Initial Certification Programs:
April 1 for Fall Term (Fall is preferred start term)
Requests for Spring admission (October 1 application deadline) will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Applications received after the stated deadline will be processed on a space-available basis.