October 30, 2019, New York, NY–School of Visual Arts (SVA) introduces an addition to its graduate degree program with a Master of Art (MA) in Art Education. This program joins the existing Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Art Education. The program will launch in fall 2020, with an application deadline of January 15, 2020. Both Art Education degree programs are chaired by Dr. Catherine Rosamond. Designed for students who have completed an undergraduate major in studio art, both degrees can be completed either as a full-time, one-year intensive or as a two-year, part-time program.

Both graduate programs include coursework in art education, special education and general education, with some notable distinctions. While the 36-credit MAT program allows its students to become New York State certified art teachers, the 34-credit MA program will prepare its students for a more flexible artist-educator path in museum and community contexts. In addition to developing an educational philosophy while building on an existing art practice, students of the MA program will gain experience working at art education programs that align with their particular interests. The MA program will include some offerings from other graduate departments within SVA, including MPS Art Therapy and MFA Fine Arts. In addition to new courses in technology in art education, the artist as educator, and museum studies, one of the distinguishing characteristics of the MA program is a required art education internship, in lieu of the student teaching requirement of the MAT program.

According to SVA Provost Dr. Christopher J. Cyphers, “We have come to learn that art education extends well beyond traditional classroom teaching, and, in our case, within New York State’s public schools. Graduates of the MA program will be equipped to teach at an independent school, and lead art education programs at, for example, museums and other cultural institutions, many of which are connected to, or a part of, a community-based organization. We believe this new MA program will appeal to a broad group of prospective students interested in art education, but who do not wish to pursue the path toward state certification and public school teaching.”

For those seeking to pursue a career in public school teaching, the Art Education faculty and alumni will present an overview of the program, explaining coursework and answering any questions about admission requirements, portfolios, student teaching, schedules, teacher certification and the job market for K-12 art teachers, at two upcoming information sessions on December 12 and January 9 from 6:00 - 8:00pm at 132 W 21st Street, 4th floor. Alumni from the Art Education graduate program have gone on to positions at LaGuardia High School, High School of Art and Design and NYC Lab Middle School for Collaborative Studies. Both the MA and MAT will be reviewed for accreditation under Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) in 2022.

School of Visual Arts has been a leader in the education of artists, designers and creative professionals for seven decades. With a faculty of distinguished working professionals, a dynamic curriculum and an emphasis on critical thinking, SVA is a catalyst for innovation and social responsibility. Comprising 6,000 students at its Manhattan campus and 38,000 alumni in 75 countries, SVA also represents one of the most influential artistic communities in the world. For information about the College’s 31 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, visit sva.edu.