Visual Arts–All Grades (Art Education) MST | College of Art and Design

An art education master's degree that sharpens your artistic abilities as you prepare to teach the next generation of artists and creators.

100^%

Outcomes Rate of RIT Graduates from this degree

Overview for Visual Arts–All Grades (Art Education) MST

When does an artist become a teacher? The MST in visual arts-all grades (art education) prepares you to teach the next generation of artists and to create art experiences while honing your own artistic skills.

An Accelerated Visual Arts Education Program

RIT's art education master's degree is an accelerated visual arts education program. You will get a year of hands-on experience that will heavily mirror your life as an art educator. The program prepares you for a teaching career by embedding certifications and job placement support right into the curriculum. You will work with regional schools to find the best fit for your personality, talents, and teaching goals.

RIT's Art Education Master's Degree

In the MST degree, you'll complete course work in:

child development in art and education,
differentiated learning techniques for effective instruction in the diverse learning needs of all students,
a range of perspectives on multicultural issues in the visual arts and education fields,
the process of teaching art in the school classroom, including curriculum development and student assessment, and
explore a range of perspectives on contemporary theories in art and education.

In addition, you will complete a student teaching practicum designed to provide you with in-depth pedagogical experiences, real-world challenges, and rich learning opportunities.

RIT’s art education master’s degree leads to Initial/Professional New York State certification in visual arts for PK through 12th grades. This certification allows applicants to teach in New York State public schools and most other states through reciprocal agreements. The program features pedagogical studies, studio inquiry, clinical fieldwork, and community partnerships. The MST program prepares candidates to meet the national, state, and regional needs of teachers of the visual arts. Curriculum and experiential learning are designed to provide candidates opportunities to teach effectively with positive impacts on diverse PK through 12 grade student learning and development, through the application of content knowledge, foundational pedagogical skills, and technology integration. The program is nationally accredited and is for candidates who hold a BFA or BA in an area of art (studio, design, new media, or photography majors). Graduates of the last three MST classes have a 97 percent pass rate on the New York State Department of Education certification examinations, initial certification, and job outcome rates.

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30% Tuition Scholarship for NY Residents and Graduates

Now is the perfect time to earn your Master’s degree. If you’re a New York state resident with a bachelor’s degree or have/will graduate from a college or university in New York state, you are eligible to receive a 30% tuition scholarship.

Learn more about Master Up NY

Careers and Salary Info

Typical Job Titles

Art Teacher	Art Instructor	Art Specialist
Art Professor	Arts and Crafts Instructor	Arts Administrator
Education Director	Visual Arts Educator

Post-Graduation Salary and Career Info

Featured Work and Profiles

Making family visitor kits for George Eastman Museum

Students in the visual arts-all grades MST program packaged together tangible props that allow children and families to more deeply engage with exhibits at the world-renowned photography and film...
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Aiding mural creation

MST candidates worked with fourth-graders at Pinnacle School No. 35 to generate ideas for what became a mural at the entrance of their school.
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Community event: art club takeover

The visual arts-all grades MST program partnered with the Rochester City School District to organize a three-day art club takeover.
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Helping the Flower City bloom with creativity

RIT's visual arts-all grades MST program regularly hosts free arts and crafts events for the local community.
Read More about Helping the Flower City bloom with creativity
Art teacher by day, artist by night

Mandi Antonucci '04 Learn about the colorful world of Mandi Antonucci '04, high school art teacher in the Batavia City School District.
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From Kiln Room to Classroom

After 20 years as a nationally-exhibiting ceramic artist, Adam Spector called a career audible and enrolled in RIT's MST program to become an art educator.
Read More about From Kiln Room to Classroom

Explore All

Curriculum for 2024-2025 for Visual Arts–All Grades (Art Education) MST

Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements

View Printable Curriculum

Visual Arts-All Grades (Art Education), MST degree, typical course sequence

Course		Sem. Cr. Hrs.
First Year
ARED-701	Child Development in Art In this course students will investigate and study the topic of child development in art and education. Students will explore a range of perspectives on developmental theories; the creation, and understanding of children’s art and meaning making; and approaches to teaching art to children in a Birth-12 setting. Resources from the areas of art, psychology, sociology and art education will be investigated. Projects will include the development of a case study, relevant readings, research and studio activities, and collaborative research. Students will be expected to complete weekly reading, writing assignments, conduct research and field experience, and to participate in weekly discussions. This course has a field experience component of 20 hours. (This class is restricted to degree-seeking graduate students or those with permission from instructor.) Lecture 3 (Fall).	3
ARED-702	Inclusive Art Education: Teaching Students with Disabilities in the K-12 Art Classroom Art Educators are expected to be able to understand the diverse learning needs of all students. Students in this course will discover how to adapt their own curricula and collaborate with special needs teachers to help students succeed in the art classroom. Through course work and field experience students will build a foundation of knowledge for working with children and youth with special needs. Students will develop new instructional strategies for making visual art more accessible for students with exceptionalities and a plan to incorporate accessibility strategies into their daily teachings. In a seminar format, the students realize the course objectives through participatory means. Students are expected to write critical essays, conduct research and field experience, and to participate in weekly small and large format discussion groups. Online technology is utilized in addition to lectures, videos, and other forms of media. This course has a field experience component of 20 hours. (This class is restricted to degree-seeking graduate students or those with permission from instructor.) Lecture 3 (Fall).	3
ARED-703	Multicultural Issues in Art and Education This course will explore a range of perspectives on multicultural issues in the visual arts and education fields. Course content will cover making connections with contemporary multicultural art, the implementation of lesson plans based on multicultural issues for the art education classroom, and an examination of curriculum and policy issues. Students are expected to write critical papers and essays, develop curriculum resources, and to participate in weekly discussions. This course has a field component of 20 hours. Fee: A course fee applied via student account (This class is restricted to degree-seeking graduate students or those with permission from instructor.) Lecture 3 (Fall).	3
ARED-704	Methods in Teaching and Learning This course will explore the process of teaching art in the public school classroom at the Elementary level. Theories and practices relevant to teaching and learning in visual art will be addressed. Projects will include: lesson-planning, unit planning, classroom management, investigating new technologies, urban education, and action research. In addition, students will focus on human development, teaching students with disabilities and multiple intelligences, and assessment processes. This course has a field experience component of 20 hours. (This course is restricted to VISART-MST students.) Lecture 3 (Fall).	3
ARED-705	Methods II: Studio Thinking This course explores the relationship between curriculum, instruction, and the assessment of learning. Students are introduced to process and procedures for developing curriculum, and assessing student learning in the art classroom, specifically at the secondary level. An emphasis is placed on a studio-thinking approach to teaching and learning. Students will explore innovative and creative approaches to curriculum design. Pedagogical knowledge is developed and extended through artistic practice and meaning making in lesson and unit development. This course compliments the course: Methods in Teaching and Learning. This course has a field experience component of 20 hours. (This course is restricted to VISART-MST students.) Lecture 3 (Fall).	3
ARED-711	Professional Practices in Art Education This course will focus on the development of professional practices for entry-level art educators who are involved in their student teaching practicum. Projects will include presentations, relevant readings, assessment practices, mock interviews, case studies, visiting speakers, and preparing materials for applications in the field of art education. Students will be expected to complete weekly assignments. Goals for excellence in teaching and State and National standards are investigated and addressed. (Prerequisite: ARED-704 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring).	3
ARED-790	Student Teaching The student teaching practicum is designed to provide the student teacher with in depth pedagogical experiences, real world challenges, and rich learning opportunities. Two student teaching placements are arranged for each student for the duration of 6-7 weeks each. Full-time involvement at the school site is required. The Student Teacher will be under the guidance of experienced mentor teachers and college supervisors. This experience includes observation, full-responsibility planning and teaching, and involvement in the culture of the school setting. Students are assigned a cooperating teacher and a college supervisor for each setting. A Student Teaching Handbook is provided. Students are required to meet state and national standards when teaching. Unit and work sample preparation, instruction and assessment are required. Online technology is utilized in addition to lectures, video and other forms of media. (Prerequisites: ARED-702 and ARED-704 and ARED-705 or equivalent courses. Co-requisites: ARED-890 or equivalent course.) Studio 28 (Spring).	9
ARED-890	Graduate Seminar in Art Education This course will explore a range of perspectives on contemporary theories in art and education, making connections with theory, meeting state and national standards, and reflecting on pedagogical experiences to address the overall goals of the program. Students focus on the following areas to meet New York State Education Department requirements and Council for the Accreditation of Educator Programs standards: content/subject matter knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, teaching skills, curriculum development, assessment and professional skills. The development of a teaching portfolio occurs in conjunction with a capstone project and exhibition. This course requires the student to complete 20 field experience hours, which will complete their required 100 hours. (Co-requisite: ARED-790 or equivalent course.) Studio 6 (Spring).	6
	CAD Studio Elective	3
Total Semester Credit Hours		36

Admissions and Financial Aid

This program is available on-campus only.

Offered	Admit Term(s)	Application Deadline	STEM Designated
Full‑time	Fall	Rolling	No
Part‑time	Fall	Rolling	No

Full-time study is 9+ semester credit hours. Part-time study is 1‑8 semester credit hours. International students requiring a visa to study at the RIT Rochester campus must study full‑time.

Application Details

To be considered for admission to the Visual Arts–All Grades (Art Education) MST program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

Complete an online graduate application.
Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) is recommended.
Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.
Submit two letters of recommendation.
Entrance exam requirements: None
Submit a portfolio. View portfolio requirements.
Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic), if required. Details are below.

English Language Test Scores

International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver.

TOEFL	IELTS	PTE Academic
79	6.5	56

International students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses.

How to Apply Start or Manage Your Application

Cost and Financial Aid

An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method. View the general cost of attendance or estimate the cost of your graduate degree.

A combination of sources can help fund your graduate degree. Learn how to fund your degree

Accreditation

The visual arts–all grades program maintains Initial Program accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The program's most recent CAEP accreditation approval was spring 2021. Reporting outcomes and student achievement data are available for review.

Educator Preparation Program	Level	Date Reviewed/Next Review
Master of Science for Teachers, Visual Arts - All Grades	Initial	Spring 2021/Fall 2028

Faculty

Lauren Ramich

Senior Lecturer

December 4, 2024

Alumni couple's creative connection celebrated with joint exhibition

More than 50 years after meeting in RIT’s printmaking studio, Jean Stephens '73, '77 MST and Bill Stephens '74 MST are still thriving in marriage, teaching and making their art. Their joint exhibition in RIT's University Gallery represented a full-circle moment of their life together.
June 5, 2024

Illustration students enrich campus, city locations with vibrant murals

From concept to canvas, RIT students collaborate to bring art to life in the form of engaging murals across Rochester.
April 22, 2024

RIT alumni and faculty innovators to speak at Futurists Symposium on April 26

A highlight of this year’s Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival takes place one day before thousands of visitors descend on campus. The annual Futurists Symposium, featuring a unique collection of the university’s alumni and faculty innovators, will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 26, in the Wegmans Theater, MAGIC Spell Studios.