Art Education
Bachelor of Science
Overview
Art is a great teacher — revealing patterns in life, providing a medium of self-discovery, and fostering opportunities to make meaning and envision possibilities.
The teaching of art is also an art form — allowing teacher and learner to co-construct their understanding in visual and embodied ways. Art education is a creative process where the tools of knowledge and experience are used to facilitate opportunities for interaction between teacher, student, curriculum, and world.
Nazareth University is one of the top schools in New York State for an art education degree, and the program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) — meaning that our faculty, curriculum, and facilities meet or exceed national standards. Our future teachers are taught to present the study and creation of art in exciting and meaningful ways while continuing its lifelong development in their own lives. Our approach to teaching art is not simply to have students follow an assignment or perfect a technique, but to find a reason to make art that is meaningful to them.
As required by New York state, students in our art education major put in 100 field hours of observation and teaching in practicums and student teaching in local schools and in our on-campus Saturday Art School. Our graduates teach in school systems locally and around the country. All are gifted artists and teachers who use their own talents to inspire others.
Highlights
- This NYS Initial Certification program (Pre-K through grade 12) prepares artists to become teachers through fieldwork in surrounding area school districts.
- You will complete 100 hours of clinical experiences before student teaching, gradually progressing from observation to teaching and benefiting from 1:1 feedback and problem-solving discussions. Fieldwork sites include the Saturday Art School community art program on campus and local elementary and middle/high schools.
- Choose from a variety of study abroad options including Rennes, France and Pescara, Italy.
- Benefit from a high placement rate; many regional art teachers are Nazareth grads.
Renowned for Art Education
Program Details
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Related Programs
- Art & Design majors
- Education majors
- Art Education, B.S. to M.S.Ed.
- Art Education, M.S.Ed. (initial certification program and professional certification program)
- Honors program
Portfolio option
A portfolio is not required for admission, but we encourage you to schedule a portfolio review to be considered for a scholarship. View portfolio details and register.
Fully immersed
High placements rates
Fieldwork in Saturday Art School on campus and local schools
Study abroad options include Italy and France programs specifically for art and design majors
Be well prepared for K-12 initial certification
Example internships/field experiences
- Outreach to the Advocacy Center, Al Sigl Center, Compeer, and Veteran’s Outreach Center
- Saturday Art for Children & Teens
- Presentations and participation in the New York State Art Teachers Association and the National Art Education Association
$4,000
UP TO $4,000 TO INVEST IN YOU
Unique to Nazareth, our SPARK Grant provides $1,500 for you to pursue internships, research, and study abroad, plus up to $2,500 in a tuition scholarship for summer SPARK-eligible experiences that earn credit. SPARK stories »
Alumni Spotlight
Rachel Wittels '16, '17G, Art teacher, LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, New York City
“I’m ready and eager to get kids to love art as much as I do, to open students up to the possibilities of what they can create.” She credits her readiness to teach to multiple semesters with kids at Saturday Art School and fieldwork guiding a local 14-year-old with autism through a stop motion animation project, which complemented her diverse learners course. Wittels loves that art teaches universal principles and provides successful experiences “for kids who aren’t successful in paper-writing or math. I love to see the spark in a young kid who finally understands something."