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Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
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2020-2021

Arts

School of the Arts

Concentration(s):
Art Education
Program description

The Department of Art Education supports instruction in art that encourages the construction of meaning. Faculty and students are actively involved with the Art World, education, and local and global communities through art-based service-learning, visual culture studies, critical thinking, exhibition, assessment, curriculum, critical theory, and emerging digital technologies (virtual and interactive). Through our own research and instruction we engage students and ourselves in traditional and non-traditional forms of inquiry.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Arts with a concentration in art education is an approved teacher preparation program that complies with the professional standards of the Virginia Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It is further accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. All of these agencies assure the highest professional program standards.

Career opportunities

With emphasis on diverse approaches to artmaking and instructional practices, the BFA program in Art Education prepares highly capable and effective visual art educators.


The Art Education Program is an approved teacher preparation program that complies with state and national professional standards. The curriculum is further guided by the professional standards of the National Art Education Association. All of these agencies assure the highest professional program standards. Graduates of the program are eligible for teacher licensure in pre-kindergarten through grade 12.


Most art education students enter the teaching profession and teach art in either elementary, middle or high school. Others pursue further education to work as art consultants, art therapists, arts administrators, museum personnel, college instructors, and in other art-related business positions.

Change of major requirements

Completion of the Art Foundation Program is a prerequisite for entry into all fine art and design departments.

Bachelor-level job titles
  • Art Museum Educator
  • Art Teacher (more requirements for K-12)
  • Artist
  • Creative Writer
  • Education Administrator
  • Program Manager/Director
Graduate and professional level job titles
  • Art Director
  • Director of Education
  • Fundraising/Development Manager
  • Nonprofit Director
Professional associations and resources
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
  • MATH 131
Science required
  • Core only
Foreign language requirements
  • No
Additional tuition/fees
  • Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • Transfer students and students currently attending VCU must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to be considered for departmental admission; however, there is a higher cumulative GPA requirement of 2.8 for departmental admission to teacher preparation. If a student’s GPA falls below a 2.8 or if a faculty member raises concerns about a student’s professional disposition at any point, the student will be put on cautionary status. The chair will review students designated with cautionary status each semester to determine continuation in the program. Students will be notified if they are placed on cautionary status. 

Contact information

Department name:
Department of Art Education
Building/room location:
Franklin Terrace, Suite 200
Phone:
(804) 828-7154
Email:
https://arts.vcu.edu/arteducation/contact/
http://arts.vcu.edu/arteducation/
Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):
Monroe Park
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Major map

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience.  
  • Map out a 4-year course plan in Degree Works' Student Educational Planner.
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning, and to discuss tutoring, electives, & degree progression.
  • Take a tour to learn about library spaces, services, & how to get research help.
  • Take UNIV 291: Maximizing and Advancing in AFO.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
  • Consider applying for a federal work-study (FWS) job on- or off-campus through Handshake.
  • Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation with the da Vinci Center.
  • Apply to University, VCUarts, and external grants and scholarships.
  • Create a draft resume and meet with a career advisor in VCU Career Services to discuss it.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
  • Build a LinkedIn profile, connect to at least 10 people, and check out the VCU alumni page.
  • Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study.
  • Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) to connect to VCU traditions, networking opportunities, and fellow Rams.
  • Digitally archive studio & personal work.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide. Ask questions about how to use the library.
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses.  
  • Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes, and strategies for success in your program.
  • Enroll in ARTE 310, 311, 250 and EDUS 301.
  • Apply to Teacher Preparation on March 1st.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for the New Leaders Retreat or Alternative Spring Break.
  • Find opportunities and organizations through SOC that can help you make a difference and make your mark.
  • Meet with a faculty member to discuss your personal and professional interests.
  • Take a service-learning class or volunteer to address a social issue (Hands on Greater Richmond).
  • Join National Art Education Association.  
  • Attend annual events like the SPEED Symposium, visiting artist lectures, Teach Appreash, the Student Teacher exhibition, and ArtE Party.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Consider short-term, semester and year-long Study Abroad opportunities.
  • Get to know other VCU students and meet new friends from all over the world at a monthly Global Café.
  • Join a cultural or identity-related organization.
  • Apply for a VCUarts Dean's International Study Grant to fund creative exploration.
  • Discuss strategies for working with diverse and differently-abled students with faculty.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs and other professional development events. 
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
  • Create an ePortfolio to document academic/professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections.
  • Gain practical experience related to career goals through internships, shadowing, part-time work, or independent skill building.
  • Consider volunteering with Investigation Now or other community opportunities.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Conduct an informational interview or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Consider who you would ask to serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.   
  • Get plugged into VCULink to connect with students and alumni.
  • Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
  • Take and pass Praxis CASE Math and VCLA Exam prior to spring semester.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Deepen your expertise at finding information in your discipline by working with your subject expert librarian & using research guides.
  • Enhance your business, software, technology and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
  • See your academic and career advisors regularly to discuss your progress towards graduation and career planning.
  • Enter Teacher Preparation and enroll in the practicum sequence ARTE 401 and 402
  • Consider an internship in Art Education.
  • Build your best work via supportive critique in practicum based peer feedback groups.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.
  • Continue to find opportunities and organizations through SOC that can help you make a difference and make your mark.
  • Create a community-engaged research project.
  • Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities, such as the Fulbright Student Scholarship.
  • Attend an Art Education professional conference such as NAEA or VAEA.  
  • Help plan and organize annual departmental events and shape future events.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Apply to be a Diversity Ambassador with the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.
  • Richmond is known for hosting a wide array of festivals! Learn about new cultures, food, and music by attending one of these events.
  • Update your resume to include how you have developed your communication and interpersonal skills for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
  • Enroll in ARTE 450 Art for the Exceptional Student.
  • Teach in diverse classrooms through practicum.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
  • Update your ePortfolio.
  • Seek research opportunities and apply for funding through VCU Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.
  • Develop a research project and apply for an Undergraduate Research Grant. 
  • Apply for an internship with a community art space or art museum: VMFA, Art 180, Visual Arts Center.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
  • Research graduate/professional schools at least 1 year in advance of deadlines. Study for and complete any exams the summer before senior year. 
  • Talk to advisors, faculty, and VCU Career Services about graduate school versus a job.
  • Take and pass Praxis II: Art Content Knowledge (recommended during ARTE 401).
  • Complete online training modules: Child Abuse and Neglect Recognition, Dyslexia Awareness

Excel
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met. 
  • Apply to Clinical Internship (student teaching) September 1 for spring semester/February 1 for fall semester.
  • Complete all remaining coursework prior to enrolling in Clinical Internship courses TEDU 485/486 and Student Teaching Seminar ARTE 404 in final semester.
  • Apply to graduate in eServices during your final semester.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Apply for a year-long service or fellowship opportunity after graduation through programs like Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Literacy Lab, Richmond Teacher Residency, or AmeriCorps.
  • Attend professional conferences that offer student rates or scholarships (see professional organizations listed above).
  • Continue to find opportunities and organizations through SOC that can help you make a difference and make your mark.
  • Serve in a leadership role on campus or as a board member of a local community organization.
  • Apply to teach with the VCU Art Education Creative Arts Day Camp.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
  • Reflect on your own cultural competency, and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Continue to engage in research to create more content for your ePortfolio.
  • Present your research at conference/meeting such as UROP Undergraduate Research Symposium or other conferences. 
  • Reflect on the experiential learning you have engaged in thus far, and discuss with current or potential mentors (peers, faculty, advisors, alumni, professionals).
  • Join national and state professional organizations: NAEA and VAEA.
  • Complete Emergency First Aid/CPR/AED certification course.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Complete exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for after graduation.
  • Consider training to become an educator through programs like RTR, which prepares graduates from a variety of majors to become effective teachers in high-need schools.
  • Engage with the VCU Alumni Association at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and by joining a VCULink Industry Network and alumni chapter as you prepare to graduate.
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed and do a mock interview through InterviewStream or with a career advisor.
  • Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Create teaching portfolio during Clinical Internship.
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2020-2021

Arts

School of the Arts

Concentration(s):
Art Education
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore Year 1
  • Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience.  
  • Map out a 4-year course plan in Degree Works' Student Educational Planner.
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning, and to discuss tutoring, electives, & degree progression.
  • Take a tour to learn about library spaces, services, & how to get research help.
  • Take UNIV 291: Maximizing and Advancing in AFO.
  • Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
  • Consider applying for a federal work-study (FWS) job on- or off-campus through Handshake.
  • Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation with the da Vinci Center.
  • Apply to University, VCUarts, and external grants and scholarships.
  • Create a draft resume and meet with a career advisor in VCU Career Services to discuss it.
  • Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
  • Build a LinkedIn profile, connect to at least 10 people, and check out the VCU alumni page.
  • Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study.
  • Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) to connect to VCU traditions, networking opportunities, and fellow Rams.
  • Digitally archive studio & personal work.
Experience Year 2
  • Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide. Ask questions about how to use the library.
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses.  
  • Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes, and strategies for success in your program.
  • Enroll in ARTE 310, 311, 250 and EDUS 301.
  • Apply to Teacher Preparation on March 1st.
  • Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for the New Leaders Retreat or Alternative Spring Break.
  • Find opportunities and organizations through SOC that can help you make a difference and make your mark.
  • Meet with a faculty member to discuss your personal and professional interests.
  • Take a service-learning class or volunteer to address a social issue (Hands on Greater Richmond).
  • Join National Art Education Association.  
  • Attend annual events like the SPEED Symposium, visiting artist lectures, Teach Appreash, the Student Teacher exhibition, and ArtE Party.
  • Consider short-term, semester and year-long Study Abroad opportunities.
  • Get to know other VCU students and meet new friends from all over the world at a monthly Global Café.
  • Join a cultural or identity-related organization.
  • Apply for a VCUarts Dean's International Study Grant to fund creative exploration.
  • Discuss strategies for working with diverse and differently-abled students with faculty.
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs and other professional development events. 
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
  • Create an ePortfolio to document academic/professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections.
  • Gain practical experience related to career goals through internships, shadowing, part-time work, or independent skill building.
  • Consider volunteering with Investigation Now or other community opportunities.
  • Conduct an informational interview or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Consider who you would ask to serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.   
  • Get plugged into VCULink to connect with students and alumni.
  • Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
  • Take and pass Praxis CASE Math and VCLA Exam prior to spring semester.
Year 3
  • Deepen your expertise at finding information in your discipline by working with your subject expert librarian & using research guides.
  • Enhance your business, software, technology and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
  • See your academic and career advisors regularly to discuss your progress towards graduation and career planning.
  • Enter Teacher Preparation and enroll in the practicum sequence ARTE 401 and 402
  • Consider an internship in Art Education.
  • Build your best work via supportive critique in practicum based peer feedback groups.
  • Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.
  • Continue to find opportunities and organizations through SOC that can help you make a difference and make your mark.
  • Create a community-engaged research project.
  • Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities, such as the Fulbright Student Scholarship.
  • Attend an Art Education professional conference such as NAEA or VAEA.  
  • Help plan and organize annual departmental events and shape future events.
  • Apply to be a Diversity Ambassador with the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.
  • Richmond is known for hosting a wide array of festivals! Learn about new cultures, food, and music by attending one of these events.
  • Update your resume to include how you have developed your communication and interpersonal skills for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
  • Enroll in ARTE 450 Art for the Exceptional Student.
  • Teach in diverse classrooms through practicum.
  • Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
  • Update your ePortfolio.
  • Seek research opportunities and apply for funding through VCU Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.
  • Develop a research project and apply for an Undergraduate Research Grant. 
  • Apply for an internship with a community art space or art museum: VMFA, Art 180, Visual Arts Center.
  • Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
  • Research graduate/professional schools at least 1 year in advance of deadlines. Study for and complete any exams the summer before senior year. 
  • Talk to advisors, faculty, and VCU Career Services about graduate school versus a job.
  • Take and pass Praxis II: Art Content Knowledge (recommended during ARTE 401).
  • Complete online training modules: Child Abuse and Neglect Recognition, Dyslexia Awareness
Excel Year 4
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met. 
  • Apply to Clinical Internship (student teaching) September 1 for spring semester/February 1 for fall semester.
  • Complete all remaining coursework prior to enrolling in Clinical Internship courses TEDU 485/486 and Student Teaching Seminar ARTE 404 in final semester.
  • Apply to graduate in eServices during your final semester.
  • Apply for a year-long service or fellowship opportunity after graduation through programs like Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Literacy Lab, Richmond Teacher Residency, or AmeriCorps.
  • Attend professional conferences that offer student rates or scholarships (see professional organizations listed above).
  • Continue to find opportunities and organizations through SOC that can help you make a difference and make your mark.
  • Serve in a leadership role on campus or as a board member of a local community organization.
  • Apply to teach with the VCU Art Education Creative Arts Day Camp.
  • Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
  • Reflect on your own cultural competency, and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations.
  • Continue to engage in research to create more content for your ePortfolio.
  • Present your research at conference/meeting such as UROP Undergraduate Research Symposium or other conferences. 
  • Reflect on the experiential learning you have engaged in thus far, and discuss with current or potential mentors (peers, faculty, advisors, alumni, professionals).
  • Join national and state professional organizations: NAEA and VAEA.
  • Complete Emergency First Aid/CPR/AED certification course.
  • Complete exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for after graduation.
  • Consider training to become an educator through programs like RTR, which prepares graduates from a variety of majors to become effective teachers in high-need schools.
  • Engage with the VCU Alumni Association at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and by joining a VCULink Industry Network and alumni chapter as you prepare to graduate.
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed and do a mock interview through InterviewStream or with a career advisor.
  • Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Create teaching portfolio during Clinical Internship.