Art and Visual Culture Education (MA) Graduate Program of Study at The University of Arizona

General Information

Program/Degree

Art and Visual Culture Education (MA)

Program Description

The graduate program is intended to meet the needs of students who wish advanced professional understanding within the field of Art Education. You may pursue an MA or, if interested in certification to teach in public schools and not currently certified, the MA plus certification.

Three options are available to students seeking the MA Degree:

Art and Visual Culture Studies | Offers the most flexibility to build expertise in an area of interest. You will take core art and visual culture education courses and use electives to build expertise.

Community and Museums | Provides learning and internship opportunities for students interested in professional roles as art and visual culture educators in community or museum venues.

Teaching Option | Provides coursework leading to certification to teach art at k-12 levels in the state of Arizona. The certification is transferable, with minor adaptations, in many other states in the US.

Please see our website: http://art.arizona.edu/

Department/Academic Unit(s)

School of Art

Passion is the spark that ignites the fire of creativity, and it is the foundation of a pursuit to study the visual arts. If you are considering a major in Art and Visual Culture Education, Art History or Studio Art, you know that passion first hand. Why not join a community of like-minded individuals who share that commitment to creativity?

Ranked among the top art schools in the nation and accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the School of Art offers its students a dynamic arrangement of in-depth programs of study. You will find the faculty supportive, the curriculum provocative, and the community among your classmates both challenging and inspiring.

Studying at a research-focused university, with over 200 degrees such as the University of Arizona gives you the unique opportunity to be surrounded by, and to engage with, faculty and peers of cross-disciplinary expertise, providing a depth and breadth of experience that is limited only by how far you want to go.

College

College of Fine Arts

Campus where offered

University of Arizona - Main - Tucson

Contacts

Tuition and Fees

Please refer to the UA Bursar's Office Tuition and Fees Calculator for up-to-date information about tuition and fees.
Please refer to the UA Registrar's's Office Special Course Fees for up-to-date information about special course fees.

Admissions Information

Admissions Requirements

Please provide a 1-2 page Autobiographical Statement addressing your educational and personal experiences, achievements, and goals relevant to art and visual culture education.
Please combine the following items into a single document (maximum file size: 5 MB) in the order shown below
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- Writing or Research Sample. Maximum of 10 pages.
If you have a studio background, submit a PDF with 10-20 images, one image per page and provide the title, medium, dimensions and date under each image. Please click here and review our sample portfolio. If you are submitting video, provide a link to a website like vimeo or youtube. Size limit 5MB.
Transcripts from all previous colleges and universities attended. For initial evaluation purposes, you may attach scans of official or unofficial transcripts.
The names and contact information for 3 referees who will be submitting Letters of Recommendation on your behalf. All letters of recommendation must be received by the application deadline and at least 2 letters must be from faculty members that can speak about your academic and research ability and potential for graduate studies. The preferred method to receive letters of recommendation is through the web-basedGraduate Admissions Application. If, however, this is not possible, letters can be sent to:

Graduate Program
School of Art
P.O. Box 210002
Tucson, AZ 85721
After your application has been reviewed, the Art and Visual Culture Education faculty may contact you via phone or email for an interview.

No GRE scores are required.

Standardized Tests

International Students Only: English Poficiency Requirement.

Funding Opportunities

The School of Art offers fee waivers, scholarships, fellowships and graduate assistantships for graduate students in good standing. These awards are competitive and assigned during both fall and spring semesters.
Please refer to the department website for more information: http://art.arizona.edu/

Admissions Deadlines

Spring – September 15th
Fall – Priority Deadline: January 10th
Fall – Final Deadline: March 15th

Students who submit their applications by the priority deadline will have priority consideration for financial assistance from the School of Art.

Applications received on or before each deadline will constitute a competitive pool, and will be reviewed by faculty shortly after the deadline has passed.

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed and will be automatically denied. Paper applications will not be accepted, please submit all materials via the Graduate Admissions Application.

International Conditional Admission

International applicants may be considered for conditional admission to this program at the department's discretion.

Other Information

The GRE Institution Code for The University of Arizona is 4832

ETS Major Field Code(s) for this program: 2399, 2499, 2401, 3101, 3003, 3502, 3601, 3602, 3903, 3906, 3999, 5199, 5107, 5101

Completion Requirements

Minimum Credit Units

Core Coursework Requirements

ARE 530: Introduction to Research in Art Education, 3 units
ARE 560: Curriculum Theory in Art and Visual Culture Education, 3 units or ARE 531: pedagogical Practices in Art and Visual Culture Education, 3 units
ARE 630: Theoretical and Historical Foundations of Art and Visual Culture Education, 3 units
ARE 633: Issues and Recent Research in Art and Visual Culture Education, 3 units
ARE 910 (Thesis) or ARE 909 (Mater's Report) 3 units

Elective Coursework

Art and Visual Culture Education Option:
6 units of elective coursework in ARE:
ARE 520: Community, Culture and Art Education, 3 units
ARE 525: Theory and Practice in Art Museum Education , 3 units
ARE 531: Pedagogical Practices in Art and Visual Culture, 3 units
ARE 535: Theory in Art & Visual Culture Education, 3 units
ARE 538: Teaching Art and Visual Culture, Wildcat Art, 3 units
ARE 560: Curriculum Theory in Art & Visual Culture Education, 3 units
ARE 569: Teaching Media and Visual Culture, 3 units
ARE 631: Arts-based Research, 3 units
ARE 632: Visual Arts Teaching in Higher Education, 3 units
ARE 596A: Current Issues in Art Education Theory and Practice, 3 units
Substitutions for electives can be made with the approval of the faculty advisor.

9 units of electives chosen in conjunction with advisor:
ARE 520: Community, Culture and Art Education, 3 units
ARE 525: Theory and Practice in Art Museum Education , 3 units
ARE 530: Introduction to Research in Art Education, 3 units
ARE 531: Pedagogical Practices in Art and Visual Culture, 3 units
ARE 535: Theory in Art & Visual Culture Education, 3 units
ARE 538: Teaching Art and Visual Culture, Wildcat Art, 3 units
ARE 560: Curriculum Theory in Art & Visual Culture Education, 3 units
ARE 569: Teaching Media and Visual Culture, 3 units
ARE 593: Internship, 1-6 units
ARE 599: Independent Study, 1-5 units
ARE 630: Historical Foundations of Art and Visual Culture Education, 3 units
ARE 631: Arts-based Research, 3 units
ARE 632: Visual Arts Teaching in Higher Education, 3 units
ARE 633: Issues and Recent Research in Art and Visual Culture Education, 3 units
ARE 693: Internship, 1-6 units
ARE 699: Indepedent Study, 1-5 units
ARE 596A: Current Issues in Art Education Theory and Practice, 3 units
ARH 500: Topics in Museum Studies, 3 units
ARJ 512: Rome and its Reception, 3 units
ARH 517: 19th Century European Art, 3 units
ARH 530: Queer Cinema, 3 units
ARH 536: Topics in American Indian Art, 3 units
ARH 552: Etruscan Art + Archaeology, 3 units
ARH 554: Greek and Roman Sculpture, 3 units
ARH 562: Classical and Controversial, 3 units
ARH 565: Greek Pottery: Craft & Society, 3 units
ARH 577: Greek Architecture, 3 units
ARH 580: Topics in Art History, 3 units
ARH 584: Roman Art + Architecture, 3 units
ARH 599: Independent Study, 1-5 units
ARH 501A: Art As Plunder: The Spoils of War, the Formation of Collections, & Trade in Stolen Art, 3 units
ARH 511A: Theory and Methods in Art History: Renaissance to 1960, 3 units
ARH 512D: Mdv Art: Romanesqu+Gothic, 3 units
ARH 513B: Renaissance Art in Italy: 15th Century, 3 units
ARH 514A: Northern Renaissance Art, 3 units
ARH 514C: 16th-Century Art of Northern Europe, 3 units
ARH 515A: Southern Baroque Art, 3 units
ARH 523A: The Art of Mexico, 3 units
ARH 523B: The Art of Mexico, 3 units
ARH 524A: History of Photography, 3 units
ARH 524C: History of Photography: Contemporary Trends, 3 units
ARH 526A: European Art Since 1945, 3 units
ARH 529B: American Art: 19th Century Art, 3 units
ARH 529D: American Art: 20th Century, 3 units
ARH 596B: Problems in Renaissance-Baroque, 3 units
ARH 596F: History of Photography, 3 units
ARH 596I: Isus Cntmp Theory + Crit, 3 units
ARH 596M: Issues in Mexican Art, 3 units
ARH 596N: American Art, 3 units
ARH 596O: Issues in Art History, 3 units
ARH 596V: Issues in Native American Art, 3 units
ART 501: Cont Drawing Studio Practice, 3 units
ART 504: Topics in Studio Art, 3 units
ART 526: Alt Process and Material, 3 units
ART 538: Digital Fabrication, 3 units
ART 540: Trnds/Contemporary Photo, 3 units
ART 546: Adv Color Photography, 3 units
ART 549: Graduate Video, 3 units
ART 556: Printmaking Studio Practice, 3 units
ART 565: Clients & the Community Design, 3 units
ART 566: Illustration Studio III, 3 units
ART 573: Adv Art Practice/Ceramic, 3 units
ART 580: Painting Studio Practice, 3 units
ART 583: Combining Media, 3 units
ART 585: Grad Watercolor Painting, 3 units
ART 586: Adv Sculpture/Exper+Comb, 3 units
ART 599: Independent Study, 1-5 units
ART 642: Grad Interdiscipl Critiq, 3 units
ART 699: Independent Study, 1-5 units
ART 532A: Interactivity, 3 units
ART 536A: Digital Arts Authoring, 3 units
ART 537A: Digital 3D Modeling, 3 units
ART 562A: Figure Paint/Illustrn, 3 units
ART 562B: Comics + Sequential Art, 3 units
ART 562D: Animation II, 3 units
ART 562E: Letterpress + The Multiple, 3 units
ART 567B: Visual Narrative + Art Bk, 3 units
ART 596B: Digital Illust+Painting, 3 units
ART 596F: Design, Art & the Environment, 3 units
ART 597A: Gallery Management, 3 units
ART 696A: Contemp Art: Cncpts+Issue, 3 units
MUS 551: Behavioral Research in the Arts, 3 units
Substitutions for electives can be made with the approval of the faculty advisor.

Community and Museums Option:
ARE 520: Community, Culture and Art Education, 3 units
ARE 525: Theory and Practice in Art Museum Education , 3 units
ARE 593: Internship, 3-6 units

3-6 elective units of electives chosen in conjunction with advisorz:
ARE 520: Community, Culture and Art Education, 3 units
ARE 525: Theory and Practice in Art Museum Education , 3 units
ARE 530: Introduction to Research in Art Education, 3 units
ARE 531: Pedagogical Practices in Art and Visual Culture, 3 units
ARE 535: Theory in Art & Visual Culture Education, 3 units
ARE 538: Teaching Art and Visual Culture, Wildcat Art, 3 units
ARE 560: Curriculum Theory in Art & Visual Culture Education, 3 units
ARE 569: Teaching Media and Visual Culture, 3 units
ARE 593: Internship, 1-6 units
ARE 599: Independent Study, 1-5 units
ARE 630: Historical Foundations of Art and Visual Culture Education, 3 units
ARE 631: Arts-based Research, 3 units
ARE 632: Visual Arts Teaching in Higher Education, 3 units
ARE 633: Issues and Recent Research in Art and Visual Culture Education, 3 units
ARE 693: Internship, 1-6 units
ARE 699: Indepedent Study, 1-5 units
ARE 596A: Current Issues in Art Education Theory and Practice, 3 units
ARH 500: Topics in Museum Studies, 3 units
ARH 512: Rome and its Reception, 3 units
ARH 517: 19th Century European Art, 3 units
ARH 530: Queer Cinema, 3 units
ARH 536: Topics in American Indian Art, 3 units
ARH 552: Etruscan Art + Archaeology, 3 units
ARH 554: Greek and Roman Sculpture, 3 units
ARH 562: Classical and Controversial, 3 units
ARH 565: Greek Pottery: Craft & Society, 3 units
ARH 577: Greek Architecture, 3 units
ARH 580: Topics in Art History, 3 units
ARH 584: Roman Art + Architecture, 3 units
ARH 599: Independent Study, 1-5 units
ARH 501A: Art As Plunder: The Spoils of War, the Formation of Collections, & Trade in Stolen Art, 3 units
ARH 511A: Theory and Methods in Art History: Renaissance to 1960, 3 units
ARH 512D: Mdv Art: Romanesqu+Gothic, 3 units
ARH 513B: Renaissance Art in Italy: 15th Century, 3 units
ARH 514A: Northern Renaissance Art, 3 units
ARH 514C: 16th-Century Art of Northern Europe, 3 units
ARH 515A: Southern Baroque Art, 3 units
ARH 523A: The Art of Mexico, 3 units
ARH 523B: The Art of Mexico, 3 units
ARH 524A: History of Photography, 3 units
ARH 524C: History of Photography: Contemporary Trends, 3 units
ARH 526A: European Art Since 1945, 3 units
ARH 529B: American Art: 19th Century Art, 3 units
ARH 529D: American Art: 20th Century, 3 units
ARH 596B: Problems in Renaissance-Baroque, 3 units
ARH 596F: History of Photography, 3 units
ARH 596I: Isus Cntmp Theory + Crit, 3 units
ARH 596M: Issues in Mexican Art, 3 units
ARH 596N: American Art, 3 units
ARH 596O: Issues in Art History, 3 units
ARH 596V: Issues in Native American Art, 3 units
ART 501: Cont Drawing Studio Practice, 3 units
ART 504: Topics in Studio Art, 3 units
ART 526: Alt Process and Material, 3 units
ART 538: Digital Fabrication, 3 units
ART 540: Trnds/Contemporary Photo, 3 units
ART 546: Adv Color Photography, 3 units
ART 549: Graduate Video, 3 units
ART 556: Printmaking Studio Practice, 3 units
ART 565: Clients & the Community Design, 3 units
ART 566: Illustration Studio III, 3 units
ART 573: Adv Art Practice/Ceramic, 3 units
ART 580: Painting Studio Practice, 3 units
ART 583: Combining Media, 3 units
ART 585: Grad Watercolor Painting, 3 units
ART 586: Adv Sculpture/Exper+Comb, 3 units
ART 599: Independent Study, 1-5 units
ART 642: Grad Interdiscipl Critiq, 3 units
ART 699: Independent Study, 1-5 units
ART 532A: Interactivity, 3 units
ART 536A: Digital Arts Authoring, 3 units
ART 537A: Digital 3D Modeling, 3 units
ART 562A: Figure Paint/Illustrn, 3 units
ART 562B: Comics + Sequential Art, 3 units
ART 562D: Animation II, 3 units
ART 562E: Letterpress + The Multiple, 3 units
ART 567B: Visual Narrative + Art Bk, 3 units
ART 596B: Digital Illust+Painting, 3 units
ART 596F: Design, Art & the Environment, 3 units
ART 597A: Gallery Management, 3 units
ART 696A: Contemp Art: Cncpts+Issue, 3 units
MUS 551: Behavioral Research in the Arts, 3 units
Substitutions for electives can be made with the approval of the faculty advisor.

Certification Option:
ARE 538: Teaching Art and Visual Culture, Wildcat Art, 3 units

9 units of ARE electives:
ARE 520: Community, Culture and Art Education, 3 units
ARE 525: Theory and Practice in Art Museum Education , 3 units
ARE 531: Pedagogical Practices in Art and Visual Culture, 3 units
ARE 535: Theory in Art & Visual Culture Education, 3 units
ARE 560: Curriculum Theory in Art & Visual Culture Education, 3 units
ARE 569: Teaching Media and Visual Culture, 3 units
ARE 596A: Current Issues in Art Education Theory and Practice, 3 units
ARE 631: Arts-based Research, 3 units
ARE 632: Visual Arts Teaching in Higher Education, 3 units
Substitutions for electives can be made with the approval of the faculty advisor.

3 elective units of electives chosen in conjunction with advisor:
ARE 520: Community, Culture and Art Education, 3 units
ARE 525: Theory and Practice in Art Museum Education , 3 units
ARE 530: Introduction to Research in Art Education, 3 units
ARE 531: Pedagogical Practices in Art and Visual Culture, 3 units
ARE 535: Theory in Art & Visual Culture Education, 3 units
ARE 538: Teaching Art and Visual Culture, Wildcat Art, 3 units
ARE 560: Curriculum Theory in Art & Visual Culture Education, 3 units
ARE 569: Teaching Media and Visual Culture, 3 units
ARE 593: Internship, 1-6 units
ARE 599: Independent Study, 1-5 units
ARE 630: Historical Foundations of Art and Visual Culture Education, 3 units
ARE 631: Arts-based Research, 3 units
ARE 632: Visual Arts Teaching in Higher Education, 3 units
ARE 633: Issues and Recent Research in Art and Visual Culture Education, 3 units
ARE 693: Internship, 1-6 units
ARE 699: Indepedent Study, 1-5 units
ARE 596A: Current Issues in Art Education Theory and Practice, 3 units
ARH 500: Topics in Museum Studies, 3 units
ARH 512: Rome and its Reception, 3 units
ARH 517: 19th Century European Art, 3 units
ARH 530: Queer Cinema, 3 units
ARH 536: Topics in American Indian Art, 3 units
ARH 552: Etruscan Art + Archaeology, 3 units
ARH 554: Greek and Roman Sculpture, 3 units
ARH 562: Classical and Controversial, 3 units
ARH 565: Greek Pottery: Craft & Society, 3 units
ARH 577: Greek Architecture, 3 units
ARH 580: Topics in Art History, 3 units
ARH 584: Roman Art + Architecture, 3 units
ARH 599: Independent Study, 1-5 units
ARH 501A: Art As Plunder: The Spoils of War, the Formation of Collections, & Trade in Stolen Art, 3 units
ARH 511A: Theory and Methods in Art History: Renaissance to 1960, 3 units
ARH 512D: Mdv Art: Romanesqu+Gothic, 3 units
ARH 513B: Renaissance Art in Italy: 15th Century, 3 units
ARH 514A: Northern Renaissance Art, 3 units
ARH 514C: 16th-Century Art of Northern Europe, 3 units
ARH 515A: Southern Baroque Art, 3 units
ARH 523A: The Art of Mexico, 3 units
ARH 523B: The Art of Mexico, 3 units
ARH 524A: History of Photography, 3 units
ARH 524C: History of Photography: Contemporary Trends, 3 units
ARH 526A: European Art Since 1945, 3 units
ARH 529B: American Art: 19th Century Art, 3 units
ARH 529D: American Art: 20th Century, 3 units
ARH 596B: Problems in Renaissance-Baroque, 3 units
ARH 596F: History of Photography, 3 units
ARH 596I: Isus Cntmp Theory + Crit, 3 units
ARH 596M: Issues in Mexican Art, 3 units
ARH 596N: American Art, 3 units
ARH 596O: Issues in Art History, 3 units
ARH 596V: Issues in Native American Art, 3 units
ART 501: Cont Drawing Studio Practice, 3 units
ART 504: Topics in Studio Art, 3 units
ART 526: Alt Process and Material, 3 units
ART 538: Digital Fabrication, 3 units
ART 540: Trnds/Contemporary Photo, 3 units
ART 546: Adv Color Photography, 3 units
ART 549: Graduate Video, 3 units
ART 556: Printmaking Studio Practice, 3 units
ART 565: Clients & the Community Design, 3 units
ART 566: Illustration Studio III, 3 units
ART 573: Adv Art Practice/Ceramic, 3 units
ART 580: Painting Studio Practice, 3 units
ART 583: Combining Media, 3 units
ART 585: Grad Watercolor Painting, 3 units
ART 586: Adv Sculpture/Exper+Comb, 3 units
ART 599: Independent Study, 1-5 units
ART 642: Grad Interdiscipl Critiq, 3 units
ART 699: Independent Study, 1-5 units
ART 532A: Interactivity, 3 units
ART 536A: Digital Arts Authoring, 3 units
ART 537A: Digital 3D Modeling, 3 units
ART 562A: Figure Paint/Illustrn, 3 units
ART 562B: Comics + Sequential Art, 3 units
ART 562D: Animation II, 3 units
ART 562E: Letterpress + The Multiple, 3 units
ART 567B: Visual Narrative + Art Bk, 3 units
ART 596B: Digital Illust+Painting, 3 units
ART 596F: Design, Art & the Environment, 3 units
ART 597A: Gallery Management, 3 units
ART 696A: Contemp Art: Cncpts+Issue, 3 units
MUS 551: Behavioral Research in the Arts, 3 units
Substitutions for electives can be made with the approval of the faculty advisor.

Additional Requirements

Certification Option Only:

Additional course work for certification, required by the state department of education (in most cases, these will be taken at the undergraduate level and not count towards the M.A. degree):
ARE 300, Learning Environments in Art and Visual Culture Education
EdP 310, Learning in Schools, or EdP 301, Child Development
SERP 301b, Inclusive Education for SecondaryStudents with Diverse Abilities (SERP 301a may be substituted)
LCEV 408 Methods of Teaching English to English Language Learners (taught on-line through UA South)
ARE 493B Student Teaching in the Secondary School (12 credits)

For descriptions of these and other courses, please see the University's on-line catalogs.

Certification requires some non-curricular steps, mandated by the Arizona Department of Education for the K-12 Art Endorsement in the state of Arizona:
Participation in and passing the AVCE Portfolio Review two semesters before you enroll in student teaching.
Meet the University of Arizona Teacher Preparation Programs Professional Standards.
US & Arizona Constitution Exams. This requirement can be met by taking: POL 210at the UA, POS 210 or a combination of POS 201 and 231 at Pima Community College, POS 220 or a combination of POS 221 and 222 at the Northland Pioneer Collegeor a combination of HIS510 and 511 at the University of Phoenix, or by taking a test. Please contact an AVCE faculty memberfor information about the test.
Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment (AEPA) and NES (National Evaluation Series) Assessment of Professional Knowledge tests. Students take the AEPA Assessment Exam in Art and the NES Professional Knowledge: Secondary. Please visit the AEPAtest site for details and exam dates.
Fingerprints are required for student teaching. All students must hold an identity verified fingerprint (IVP) clearance card in order to student teach in Arizona’s schools. This requirement should be met two semesters before student teaching. The best route to receiving a fingerprint card is to attend one of the College of Education’s fingerprinting sessions.
Pursuant to University of Arizona teaching preparation agreements across campus, persons pursuing certification to teach art are evaluated in their coursework in part according to national InTASC standards. A link to the standards can be found on the College of Education’s Formslink. Certification students will be asked to sign the UA TPP Professional Standards Contract, found as a link on this page.

Student Handbook

Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.

Program StatisticsInformation about these numbers

Program-level Information
Application Acceptance Rate	46.15%
Avg. Time-to-degree (years)	1.98

Department-level Information
Enrollment Percent Male	25.81%
Enrollment Percent Female	74.19%
Enrollment Percent International	16.13%
Enrollment Percent URM	19.35%

All application, admit, and enrollment data are from Fall 2022.
Average Time to Degree calculates how long graduates in the last 5 years (2018-2022) took to complete their degrees, counting back to the first semester entering their program.
Underrepresented Minorities (URM) includes domestic students of ethnic groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education: African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders.

Persistent link: https://grad.arizona.edu/catalog/programinfo/ARVCMA

Last revised 07 Nov 2022

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Graduate Program: Art and Visual Culture Education (MA)

General Information

Admissions Contact

Graduate Program Coordinator

Director of Graduate Studies

Graduate College Degree Counselor

Admissions Information

Completion Requirements

Program StatisticsInformation about these numbers