Art Education K-12 B.F.A.
Download as PDF
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (DCLA)
209 - Bachelor of Fine Arts
Program description
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree program in Art Education is for students preparing for teacher licensure in Art Education for grades K-12; it is offered in cooperation with the Department of Education in the College of Education and Human Service Professions (CEHSP). The program prepares art teachers for kindergarten through the twelfth grade and provides a foundation in a variety of studio areas, art history, and art education methods.
To qualify for this program, pre-Art Education students must pass a portfolio review (ART 903). In addition to completing liberal education and art courses, each student must gain admission to the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP) licensure program during the junior year, to complete the education courses required by the MN Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB).
Students entering the secondary and K-12 licensure programs are bound by the policies in effect at the time of application to the licensure program. Admission is based on criteria established by the Department of Education that are consistent with Minnesota policies, as well as standards established by the MN Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.
Field experiences are an important part of the Art Education program and include observations and participation in community, museum, and elementary school programs; two apprenticeships in area public and/or private middle schools and high schools, concluding with a full semester of supervised student teaching (8 weeks at the elementary and 8 weeks at the middle or high school level).
Students also produce a body of work for the Senior Exhibition under the mentorship of faculty in their area.
Students should use the What-if APAS Report as the official tool to see all requirements for degree completion. Since some courses are only offered in certain semesters, students are strongly encouraged to meet with their assigned academic advisors on a regular basis to establish a plan for program completion and for guidance in applying for the blocks.
To qualify for this program, pre-Art Education students must pass a portfolio review (ART 903). In addition to completing liberal education and art courses, each student must gain admission to the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP) licensure program during the junior year, to complete the education courses required by the MN Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB).
Students entering the secondary and K-12 licensure programs are bound by the policies in effect at the time of application to the licensure program. Admission is based on criteria established by the Department of Education that are consistent with Minnesota policies, as well as standards established by the MN Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.
Field experiences are an important part of the Art Education program and include observations and participation in community, museum, and elementary school programs; two apprenticeships in area public and/or private middle schools and high schools, concluding with a full semester of supervised student teaching (8 weeks at the elementary and 8 weeks at the middle or high school level).
Students also produce a body of work for the Senior Exhibition under the mentorship of faculty in their area.
Students should use the What-if APAS Report as the official tool to see all requirements for degree completion. Since some courses are only offered in certain semesters, students are strongly encouraged to meet with their assigned academic advisors on a regular basis to establish a plan for program completion and for guidance in applying for the blocks.
Program last updated
Fall 2025