Art Education Major

The Art Education program at Nazareth College strives to meet the National Art Education Association’s Standards for Art Teacher Preparation by employing an artist-teacher model. First prepared as artists, students are competent in creating artwork in both two and three-dimensional art forms based on a sound foundation in art history, criticism and aesthetics. The Art Education program engages the student with knowledge about teaching and learning through the presentation and practice of skills in multiple pedagogical approaches. Our program blends theory with practice in field-based courses that provide real-life experience in area schools.  Nazareth College prepares art teachers who believe in a constructivist approach to teaching, creating meaningful, conceptual art experiences for their students, critically reflecting on their teaching practice and promoting the role visual art plays in the educational process.

The Art Education Program is accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council.

Undergraduate Art Education majors must maintain a 2.7 overall GPA and a 3.0 average in studio art courses.  Students’ GPAs are monitored each semester.

In addition to the Art Education Program courses, students must complete the New York State Certification Examinations required for certification:

1. Liberal Arts & Sciences (LAST)
2. Assessment of Teaching Skills – Written (ATSW) (Because art certification is Birth –12, students may take either the Elementary or the Secondary version of the exam.)
3. Content Area – Visual Arts (CST)

Transfer Students must complete a minimum of five studio art courses at Nazareth College.

Undergraduate Students are accepted to the Art Education major at the time of acceptance to Nazareth College.

Studio Art majors may apply to the Art Education Program any time after completion of the art core by using a Declaration of Major Form which is available in the Academic Advisement Center.

Upon completion of the BS degree program, Undergraduate Art Education majors are eligible to apply for NYS Initial Certification, Art - Birth - 12.