Get Matched With Art Education Programs

Why Earn a Master’s in Art Education?


Earning your master’s degree in art education gives you the potential to become a leader in the art teaching field, no matter what level you may teach. You could even choose not to work in an educational institution, instead, working in a cultural art setting. You may realize that an art education degree gives you what you need to move ahead in your career.

Should you apply and do you have the required qualifications to be considered? If you are already a Pre-K to 12th grade art educator who plans to earn professional development credits, you should be able to find a program that meets your goals. Once you graduate, you’ll be able to find work as a college teacher, art center teacher, arts administrator, educational media consultant, as an educational text author, a curriculum director, gallery consultant, museum educator, or you could return to your previous role as a PreK-12th grade teacher.

PROS

A degree in art education blends theory and practice in visual arts, community arts education, and knowledge of art in museum settings. You can’t help but benefit from such a degree.

Even more, if you already have a bachelor’s degree in art education, it will be easier for you to return to school and pursue your MS degree in art education at the same time as you work toward licensing.

You may also be offered a graduate assistantship, which will provide additional and needed financial support. You’ll also gain needed professional development in this role.

If you aren’t sure that returning to school is the right thing for you to do, take some time and give it some thought. If you aspire to work in an art setting, even if it isn’t a classroom, a master’s in art education will help you do so.

You can earn your master’s even as you continue to teach, by using your required continuing education credits (CEUs) to work toward your graduate degree.

CONS

Returning to school is never easy, especially if you have to keep working full-time. If you went straight into teaching from graduation, you may find that your income is more important than school.

If you are happy at your current teaching experience and level, then why make drastic changes? If you already have a consistent career and your supervisors are happy with your work, why leave?

If your employer provides internal training and fosters a positive learning environment, why return to school? If you stay where you are and begin to develop expertise in the content areas in which you teach, you’ll be able to make yourself even more valuable to school administrators.

Next, it is never easy or cheap to return to school. Even with scholarships, grants, graduate assistantships, and student loans; having enough money for bills could become difficult, especially if you have had to cut back on work.

Compare Popular Online Art Education Programs

Top 20 Best Online Masters in Art Education Programs


1

Boston University

Score: 90.25

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $61,050
    • Out-of-State: $61,050
  • Net Price: $27,829
  • Acceptance Rate: 14%
  • Retention Rate: 94%
  • Graduation Rate: 89%
  • Total Enrollment: 36,714
  • Undergrad Students: 18,459
  • Graduate Students: 18,255
  • Grads Salary: $82,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • Boston University
2

Florida State University

Score: 88.1

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,684
    • Out-of-State: $24,116
  • Net Price: $14,003
  • Acceptance Rate: 25%
  • Retention Rate: 94%
  • Graduation Rate: 85%
  • Total Enrollment: 44,161
  • Undergrad Students: 32,936
  • Graduate Students: 11,225
  • Grads Salary: $67,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Florida State University
3

Ohio State University

Score: 87.57

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $12,092
    • Out-of-State: $38,693
  • Net Price: $19,582
  • Acceptance Rate: 53%
  • Retention Rate: 93%
  • Graduation Rate: 88%
  • Total Enrollment: 60,540
  • Undergrad Students: 46,123
  • Graduate Students: 14,417
  • Grads Salary: $74,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Ohio State University
4

University of Florida-Online

Score: 86.09

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: N/A
    • Out-of-State: $0
  • Net Price: $10,791
  • Acceptance Rate: 65%
  • Retention Rate: 92%
  • Graduation Rate: 79%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,356
  • Undergrad Students: 5,356
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $76,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 54:1
  • University of Florida-Online
5

University of Central Florida

Score: 84.72

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,916
    • Out-of-State: $25,759
  • Net Price: $13,108
  • Acceptance Rate: 41%
  • Retention Rate: 93%
  • Graduation Rate: 76%
  • Total Enrollment: 68,346
  • Undergrad Students: 58,662
  • Graduate Students: 9,684
  • Grads Salary: $69,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 29:1
  • University of Central Florida
6

University of Missouri-Columbia

Score: 80.24

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,447
    • Out-of-State: $28,605
  • Net Price: $19,889
  • Acceptance Rate: 79%
  • Retention Rate: 89%
  • Graduation Rate: 75%
  • Total Enrollment: 31,304
  • Undergrad Students: 23,745
  • Graduate Students: 7,559
  • Grads Salary: $71,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • University of Missouri-Columbia
7

Texas Tech University

Score: 78.79

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,956
    • Out-of-State: $15,136
  • Net Price: $17,896
  • Acceptance Rate: 67%
  • Retention Rate: 86%
  • Graduation Rate: 64%
  • Total Enrollment: 40,378
  • Undergrad Students: 32,579
  • Graduate Students: 7,799
  • Grads Salary: $72,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 21:1
  • Texas Tech University
8

East Carolina University

Score: 76.77

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,749
    • Out-of-State: $17,898
  • Net Price: $14,410
  • Acceptance Rate: 92%
  • Retention Rate: 80%
  • Graduation Rate: 65%
  • Total Enrollment: 27,151
  • Undergrad Students: 21,688
  • Graduate Students: 5,463
  • Grads Salary: $67,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • East Carolina University
9

Adelphi University

Score: 75.67

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $44,425
    • Out-of-State: $44,425
  • Net Price: $26,953
  • Acceptance Rate: 73%
  • Retention Rate: 85%
  • Graduation Rate: 67%
  • Total Enrollment: 7,252
  • Undergrad Students: 5,055
  • Graduate Students: 2,197
  • Grads Salary: $73,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 12:1
  • Adelphi University
10

University of Northern Iowa

Score: 74.52

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,691
    • Out-of-State: $20,774
  • Net Price: $15,782
  • Acceptance Rate: 95%
  • Retention Rate: 83%
  • Graduation Rate: 64%
  • Total Enrollment: 8,945
  • Undergrad Students: 7,735
  • Graduate Students: 1,210
  • Grads Salary: $64,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • University of Northern Iowa
11

Eastern Illinois University

Score: 74.3

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,691
    • Out-of-State: $18,458
  • Net Price: $13,380
  • Acceptance Rate: 68%
  • Retention Rate: 71%
  • Graduation Rate: 55%
  • Total Enrollment: 8,857
  • Undergrad Students: 6,916
  • Graduate Students: 1,941
  • Grads Salary: $65,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • Eastern Illinois University
12

University of Nebraska at Kearney

Score: 73.23

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,216
    • Out-of-State: $13,656
  • Net Price: $16,564
  • Acceptance Rate: 86%
  • Retention Rate: 74%
  • Graduation Rate: 54%
  • Total Enrollment: 6,041
  • Undergrad Students: 4,269
  • Graduate Students: 1,772
  • Grads Salary: $68,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • University of Nebraska at Kearney
13

Western Michigan University

Score: 73.13

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $17,539
    • Out-of-State: $26,308
  • Net Price: $20,030
  • Acceptance Rate: 85%
  • Retention Rate: 77%
  • Graduation Rate: 55%
  • Total Enrollment: 17,000
  • Undergrad Students: 13,589
  • Graduate Students: 3,411
  • Grads Salary: $71,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Western Michigan University
14

Azusa Pacific University

Score: 72.79

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $17,661
    • Out-of-State: $17,661
  • Net Price: $26,666
  • Acceptance Rate: 87%
  • Retention Rate: 78%
  • Graduation Rate: 61%
  • Total Enrollment: 7,169
  • Undergrad Students: 3,348
  • Graduate Students: 4,508
  • Grads Salary: $73,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 10:1
  • Azusa Pacific University
15

Kent State University

Score: 72.19

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $12,071
    • Out-of-State: $22,522
  • Net Price: $19,046
  • Acceptance Rate: 88%
  • Retention Rate: 78%
  • Graduation Rate: 65%
  • Total Enrollment: 25,854
  • Undergrad Students: 20,418
  • Graduate Students: 5,436
  • Grads Salary: $63,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • Kent State University
16

Converse University

Score: 68.21

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,650
    • Out-of-State: $7,650
  • Net Price: $19,653
  • Acceptance Rate: 56%
  • Retention Rate: 74%
  • Graduation Rate: 57%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,284
  • Undergrad Students: 804
  • Graduate Students: 480
  • Grads Salary: $55,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 9:1
  • Converse University
17

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Score: 67.76

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,288
    • Out-of-State: $13,932
  • Net Price: $20,776
  • Acceptance Rate: 96%
  • Retention Rate: 79%
  • Graduation Rate: 56%
  • Total Enrollment: 7,455
  • Undergrad Students: 6,497
  • Graduate Students: 958
  • Grads Salary: $62,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 20:1
  • Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
18

PennWest Edinboro

Score: 67.29

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,288
    • Out-of-State: $13,932
  • Net Price: $15,771
  • Acceptance Rate: 92%
  • Retention Rate: 71%
  • Graduation Rate: 47%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,043
  • Undergrad Students: 2,939
  • Graduate Students: 1,104
  • Grads Salary: $61,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • PennWest Edinboro
19

Academy of Art University

Score: 60.01

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $29,232
    • Out-of-State: $29,232
  • Net Price: $35,616
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 70%
  • Graduation Rate: 44%
  • Total Enrollment: 6,786
  • Undergrad Students: 4,555
  • Graduate Students: 2,231
  • Grads Salary: $71,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • Academy of Art University
20

Moore College of Art and Design

Score: 58.97

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $46,101
    • Out-of-State: $46,101
  • Net Price: $38,204
  • Acceptance Rate: 53%
  • Retention Rate: 73%
  • Graduation Rate: 61%
  • Total Enrollment: 368
  • Undergrad Students: 355
  • Graduate Students: 13
  • Grads Salary: $54,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 7:1
  • Moore College of Art and Design

Overview of a Master's in Art Education


What Art Education Master’s Degrees are Available Online?


  • Online Master of Arts in Art Education:
    This arts education master's degree allows you to enhance your education practice and move your career forward. By teaching your students how to express themselves artistically using contemporary art education, theory, and practice, you’ll be able to change their lives for the better.
  • Online Master of Arts in Education (MA Ed) - Art Education:
    This degree meets the needs of those who are already working as K-12 art teachers in a school district and have earned their initial teaching license. Graduate students who already have a BS or BA degree in Art Education or their BFA, BA, or BS in a Visual Arts degree program, Museum Studies, or Art History from a state-approved teacher preparation program; this will give them a leg up in their master's degree art education program. A master's degree arts education program can provide art educators with enhanced teaching certification and let them move past teaching K-12 art courses.
  • Online Master of Arts (MA) in Art Education:
    This online degree program provides an education to exceptional artists, teachers, designers, art educators, activists, and teachers as it helps contribute to creating a culture that places value in creativity, diversity, and social justice. Master of Arts graduate programs train teachers in quality art education curriculum design, studio classes for fine arts, and contemporary art pedagogical knowledge.
  • Online Master of Science in Art Education:
    Visual communication and technology is often strongly emphasized in many of these graduate education programs. In today’s world, communication through images, videos, and photos has made it easier to communicate and express ideas, as well as offering online courses. As an artist, you know the world is a huge stage that enables you to make yourself and your artistic talent known. As an educator, you'll teach these principles to your students.

    Find Online Art Education Schools

Art Education Masters Admission Requirements


First, you'll want to complete your admission application; many are now found on each university’s website. With your application, you'll need to include the application fee and your official undergraduate and/or graduate transcripts from every university you attended previously. You’ll also write and submit your personal statement, submit your General Record Examination (GRE) scores — these must be less than five years old, and submit your art portfolio straight to the Art Education departments of each university you are interested in attending. If you are a student for whom English is a second language, you may have to submit your official scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

How long does it take to earn an online Art Education Master’s?


Most online master’s degree programs require you to complete between 30 and 36 credit hours, which may include some general education with your core courses. Because of the intensity of your required study, you won’t take as many credits as you did in your undergraduate program. Instead, expect to take between six credits (part-time) and nine credits (full-time) per semester in your master’s program.

Core courses in graduate education programs focused on art teacher education will include core courses covering such areas as art history, quality curriculum design, pedagogical knowledge, studio classes, fine arts, and more.

By the time you complete all of your credits and your capstone project, you will have been back in school for two academic years. You may also be required to choose a specific track which should reflect the area of art education in which you are most interested.

Potential Careers in Art Education with a Master’s


  • Art professor:
    You’ll use different skills and approaches as you teach college students. Art programs and fine arts programs at the university level are actually a training ground for students who aspire to be artists or art teachers. Expect to work as either a part-time lecturer or full-time tenured faculty.
    Average annual salary: $86,400
  • Museum Educator:
    You should be comfortable interacting with the public every day. You’ll have to engage in public speaking and know how to connect to people of all ages. You’ll also have to be comfortable with flexibility, because you may give a tour of an ancient Egyptian art exhibit to young students; the next day, you may be interacting with school teachers, discussing classroom best practices. You may also train docents for upcoming exhibitions.
    Median annual salary: $35,700
  • Community Arts Organizer/Program Staff:
    Your role may also fall under education coordinator. Your work will be similar to museum educators; you’ll work with several audience types and media. You won’t have to make use of artwork or artifacts from the museum collection. Instead, you’ll be connecting families, students, and schools with opportunities your organization has arranged. You may bring students to your location, manage teaching artists, provide residencies at other art-oriented locations, or provide art workshops.
    Average annual salary: $39,400

    Search Programs Offering Art Education Majors

  • Curriculum Coordinator:
    As either an individual or a member of a team, you’ll be in charge of school programming, instruction, and assessment for art teachers throughout your school district. While you no longer teach, you continue watching how art instruction works in combination with other education areas, such as English or math. You may also reach out to other institutions to develop partnerships.
    Average annual salary: $49,300

Salary by Occupation


Occupations Entry-Level Mid-Career Late-Career
Art Teacher, K-12 $31,000 $44,609 $65,000
Art Education Teacher $31,000 $45,000 $62,000
Art Education Teacher, BFA $29,000 $47,000 $54,000
Art Education Teacher, BFAEd $25,000 $46,000 $66,000
Art Teacher, Secondary Education $32,000 $55,000 $66,000
Art Education Teacher, MA $35,000 $43,000 $64,000

Options to Advance


Earn an online Master of Education (MEd) degree. With this, you’ll be able to advance to a principal’s position in a school district or an administrator in the arts for your school district. If you have ever used your art for an art therapy position, then a school or career counselor may be a natural next step for you. In a school counselor role, you’ll assist students with mental or social issues. As a career counselor, you’ll help students with college choices.

Consider returning to school to earn your Doctor of Education. In this program, you’ll be eligible to apply for an Advanced Certificate in Creative Technologies, which will help you as an art teacher or administrator. This certificate is worth 15 credits. For this certificate, submit your digital portfolio and one recommendation letter. You’ll also have to submit your portfolio when you submit your application for admission.

Frequently Asked Questions


What’s the difference between a degree in education and a degree in teaching?

A teaching degree or teacher preparation program exists to ensure that those who end up in front of a classroom know what they’re doing. These programs spend a lot of time training students in pedagogy and classroom management. On the other hand, an education degree is broader. It can prepare you to teach, but it is also applicable to other parts of the education system. It can prepare you to work in curriculum development, education policy creation, or school administration. Master’s degrees in education can count toward your continuing education credits and can prepare you for a whole new era of your career.

Will this degree help my career?

Not only is an education degree more broad than a teaching degree, thereby being more helpful to one’s career in the long run, but any master’s degree can help your teaching or education administration career. It can mean that you will earn more going forward. It can open new job opportunities for you in the future. It can provide you with greater knowledge in your area of interest, or a new area altogether. No matter your reasoning for earning this master’s degree, it’s nearly guaranteed that it will pay off for you in some way.

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