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Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2021-2022

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 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Arts with a concentration in art education prepares highly capable and effective visual art educators.


The Bachelor of Fine Arts 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.

Students are required to submit their application and required portfolio here.


Typical application deadlines are November 1 (for spring applicants) and April 1 (for fall applicants).

Bachelor-level job titles
  • Art Museum Educator
  • Art Teacher
  • Artist
  • Creative Writer
  • Education Administrator
  • Program Manager/Director
Graduate and professional level job titles
  • Art Director
  • Art Museum Educator
  • Director of Education
  • Nonprofit Director
Professional associations and resources
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
  • Quantitative Foundations requirement only
Science required
  • Natural Sciences requirement 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 cumulative GPA falls below 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 chairperson 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
Major map compass icon
Major map

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
  • Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
  • Talk to professors about your research interests, electives, and strategies for success in your classes.
  • Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation classes with the da Vinci Center.
  • Enroll in ARTE 310, ARTE 311, ARTE 250, and EDUS 301.
  • Apply for required teacher preparation on March 1.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Make friends with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
  • Explore social issues, develop cultural competency skills, and engage with faculty through iExcel pop-up courses.
  • Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty.
  • Apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship.
  • 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
  • Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
  • Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
  • Explore global career options with a career advisor to set goals for getting your dream job.
  • Organize examples of your academic and professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections in an ePortfolio.
  • Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
  • Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
  • Consider volunteering with Investigation Now or other community opportunities.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
  • Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
  • Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
  • Take and pass the VCLA exam prior to spring semester to stay on track with the commonwealth's licensure requirements.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
  • Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
  • Enter teacher preparation and enroll in the practicum sequence of ARTE 401 and ARTE 402.
  • Build your best work via supportive critique in practicum-based, peer feedback groups.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
  • Get required REAL experience and effect community change by using iExcel’s Active Citizen’s Toolkit to vote and volunteer.
  • Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
  • Prepare for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams by showcasing your interpersonal skills on your resume.
  • Enroll in ARTE 450 Art for the Exceptional Student.
  • Teach in diverse classrooms through your practicum placements.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through InterviewStream or meeting with a career advisor.
  • Update your ePortfolio.
  • Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
  • Build your resume and get your research funded by applying for a VCUarts undergraduate research grant.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
  • Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year. 
  • Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
  • Apply for an internship with a community art space or art museum like the VMFA, Art 180, or the Visual Arts Center.

Excel
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
  • Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
  • Plan for meeting your student teaching requirement and apply to your clinical internship on September 1 for spring placement or February 1 for fall placement.
  • Be sure you complete TEDU 485 or TEDU 486, as well as ARTE 404, no later than your final semester so you meet your clinical internship requirement.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners.
  • Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
  • Master your answers to interview questions about your experience working with diverse populations.
  • Plan for how you will grow your cultural agility after graduation.
  • Complete your clinical internship in a diverse school.
  • Reflect on your teaching experiences with diverse learners throughout your time in art education.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers.
  • Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity.
  • Consider becoming an educator through programs like RTR, which prepare graduates from a variety of majors to become teachers in high-need schools.
  • Reflect on the experiential learning you have engaged in thus far and discuss with current or potential mentors like peers, faculty, advisors, alumni, or practicing art teachers.
  • Join national and state professional organizations like the National Art Education Association (NAEA) or the Virginia Art Education Association (VAEA).
  • Complete Emergency First Aid/CPR/AED certification course.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
  • Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services. 
  • Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
  • Complete a Emergency First Aid/CPR/AED certification course to meet teaching licensure requirements.
  • Use your clinical internship to create professional your own teaching portfolio with lesson plans and learning artifacts.
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2021-2022

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
Experience Year 2
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
  • Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
  • Talk to professors about your research interests, electives, and strategies for success in your classes.
  • Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation classes with the da Vinci Center.
  • Enroll in ARTE 310, ARTE 311, ARTE 250, and EDUS 301.
  • Apply for required teacher preparation on March 1.
  • Make friends with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
  • Explore social issues, develop cultural competency skills, and engage with faculty through iExcel pop-up courses.
  • Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty.
  • Apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship.
  • 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.
  • Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
  • Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
  • Explore global career options with a career advisor to set goals for getting your dream job.
  • Organize examples of your academic and professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections in an ePortfolio.
  • Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
  • Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
  • Consider volunteering with Investigation Now or other community opportunities.
  • Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
  • Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
  • Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
  • Take and pass the VCLA exam prior to spring semester to stay on track with the commonwealth's licensure requirements.
Year 3
  • See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
  • Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
  • Enter teacher preparation and enroll in the practicum sequence of ARTE 401 and ARTE 402.
  • Build your best work via supportive critique in practicum-based, peer feedback groups.
  • Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
  • Get required REAL experience and effect community change by using iExcel’s Active Citizen’s Toolkit to vote and volunteer.
  • Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
  • Prepare for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams by showcasing your interpersonal skills on your resume.
  • Enroll in ARTE 450 Art for the Exceptional Student.
  • Teach in diverse classrooms through your practicum placements.
  • Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through InterviewStream or meeting with a career advisor.
  • Update your ePortfolio.
  • Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
  • Build your resume and get your research funded by applying for a VCUarts undergraduate research grant.
  • Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
  • Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year. 
  • Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
  • Apply for an internship with a community art space or art museum like the VMFA, Art 180, or the Visual Arts Center.
Excel Year 4
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
  • Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
  • Plan for meeting your student teaching requirement and apply to your clinical internship on September 1 for spring placement or February 1 for fall placement.
  • Be sure you complete TEDU 485 or TEDU 486, as well as ARTE 404, no later than your final semester so you meet your clinical internship requirement.
  • Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners.
  • Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
  • Master your answers to interview questions about your experience working with diverse populations.
  • Plan for how you will grow your cultural agility after graduation.
  • Complete your clinical internship in a diverse school.
  • Reflect on your teaching experiences with diverse learners throughout your time in art education.
  • Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers.
  • Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity.
  • Consider becoming an educator through programs like RTR, which prepare graduates from a variety of majors to become teachers in high-need schools.
  • Reflect on the experiential learning you have engaged in thus far and discuss with current or potential mentors like peers, faculty, advisors, alumni, or practicing art teachers.
  • Join national and state professional organizations like the National Art Education Association (NAEA) or the Virginia Art Education Association (VAEA).
  • Complete Emergency First Aid/CPR/AED certification course.
  • Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
  • Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services. 
  • Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
  • Complete a Emergency First Aid/CPR/AED certification course to meet teaching licensure requirements.
  • Use your clinical internship to create professional your own teaching portfolio with lesson plans and learning artifacts.