The Art Education program at the University of Kentucky prepares students for careers teaching art in a variety of settings including K12 classrooms, museums, and community art spaces. Within the program, students build a strong foundation in general education courses, studio art and art history, along with the theory and practices of teaching visual art.
To help students maneuver successfully through the program we offer a supportive environment of advising, teaching, and mentorship. In core art education courses, the average class size is 12 students which allows for personalized instruction and advising. Several undergraduate majors in Art Education opt to double major in Art Studio. Opportunities are available for studying abroad in studio and art history courses. Student teaching abroad is also an option. Alongside coursework, students are encouraged to participate in COLLAGE, our registered student organization. Through COLLAGE, students engage in service-learning, become leaders, and build community among art education majors.
Our nationally accredited program is designed to efficiently guide students through the process of becoming licensed-certified art teachers in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The Entry Point, Mid-Point, and Exit Point Assessments support students’ progress as they complete milestones towards graduation and teacher certification.
Official Degree Requirements & Course Information
Always be sure to check the official full major requirements with course numbers on the UK Registrar Catalog. The information presented here is a simplified overview.
Premajor Requirements
Art Education majors are artists as well as emerging educators, therefore artmaking and academic rigor are essential to success in the program. Each first-year student in the Art Studio Foundation Program participates in an annual exhibition to occur in the spring semester. Students submit one artwork from their first year for the exhibition, present it professionally, and provide an accompanying artist’s statement. Participation in this exhibition is required and is tracked in A-S 001, Foundation Exhibition. Students must have earned an overall minimum GPA of 2.5 to progress from premajor to major status.
Entry Point
When students have earned at least 60 credit hours, they apply for entry into the Teacher Education Program (TEP) to officially begin the pathway towards licensure as an art education major. Students must demonstrate proficient ACT or Praxis I scores and have a GPA minimum of 2.75 to meet TEP criteria. Upon meeting those criteria, applicants undergo a portfolio review and interview with Art Education faculty to determine entry into the program.
Mid-Point
No later than the semester prior to student teaching, students will demonstrate that they meet the criteria put forth by the Art Education faculty by submitting the materials required for review by the Art Education faculty. Materials represent the culmination of coursework and establish readiness for student teaching.
Exit Point
Upon completion of student teaching, students will have successfully passed the two required Praxis II exams for art education certification and received evaluations of proficient or advanced by their Cooperating Teachers and University Supervisors during student teaching observations.
Teaching Certification
Successful completion of an accredited Teacher Education Program (TEP) and of the examinations required by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board is a precondition for the granting of a teaching license (certificate). Visit goteachky.com for more information about teacher certification in Kentucky. Information concerning licensure in other states is available from the office of Academic Services and Teacher Certification in the College of Education. Visit praxis.ets.org to learn more about Praxis exam requirements in Kentucky. Please remember the Art Education faculty are here to support you in your journey to becoming a certified art teacher!