Skip to main content

Search NYU Steinhardt

Kids with adult making art

Curriculum

MA, Teaching Art, Grades K-12, Initial Certification

The 30-credit MA in Teaching Art provides the training and experience you need to apply for initial certification as an art teacher for all grade levels in the state of New York. 

With coursework combining pedagogical theory with hands-on practice, the program embraces a progressive social justice and multicultural approach to art education that prepares you to be an effective teacher and advocate for the arts in the classroom and society at large.

Core Course Sequence

You will study the historical, cultural, and sociological contexts of artmaking and art teaching, taking core courses in critical pedagogy, arts education, and research methods. The curriculum covers issues and approaches in contemporary art teaching, including media literacy, race and the politics of visual representation, and special education and disability studies. 

The MA in Teaching Art incorporates practical and professional experience through two student teaching placements, one in an elementary school and one in a secondary school, guided closely by faculty mentors. You will also have the opportunity to work with NYU’s Visionary Studio workshop for high school students. 

Culminating Experience

You will take a final project course with a research component to investigate how contemporary artistic practices inspire forms of creative and critical inquiry into social issues.

Program Requirements

The program requires the completion of 30 credits, comprised of the following:

Course Title Credits
Major Requirements
TCHL-GE 2010Inquiries Into Teaching & Learning III3
ARTED-GE 2271Social Justice Education and Contemporary Art: Elementary Teaching3
ARTED-GE 2015Race, Education and the Politics of Visual Representation3
TCHL-GE 2999Drug, Alcohol Ed/Child Abuse ID/School Violence/DASA:0
ARTED-GE 2081Special Education, Disabilities Studies and Contemporary Art3
ART-GE 2972Interdisciplinary Projects: Art in Dialogue3
ARTED-GE 2272Practicing Social Justice Education through Art: Secondary Teaching Lab3
ARTED-GE 2273Visionary Studio: Saturday Art Workshop1
ARTED-GE 2277Media Literacy and Visual Culture: Teaching Art in a Digital Age3
ARTED-GE 2299Research Art Education2
Student Teaching
ARTED-GE 2901Student Teaching in Art Ed: Elementary School3
ARTED-GE 2902Student Teaching in Art Ed: Secondary School2
Culminating Experience
ARTED-GE 2301Final Project in Art Education1
Total Credits30

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
1st Semester/TermCredits
TCHL-GE 2010 Inquiries Into Teaching & Learning III 3
ARTED-GE 2271 Social Justice Education and Contemporary Art: Elementary Teaching 3
ARTED-GE 2015 Race, Education and the Politics of Visual Representation 3
TCHL-GE 2999 Drug, Alcohol Ed/Child Abuse ID/School Violence/DASA: 0
 Credits9
2nd Semester/Term
ARTED-GE 2901 Student Teaching in Art Ed: Elementary School 3
ARTED-GE 2081 Special Education, Disabilities Studies and Contemporary Art 3
ART-GE 2972 Interdisciplinary Projects: Art in Dialogue 3
 Credits9
3rd Semester/Term
ARTED-GE 2272 Practicing Social Justice Education through Art: Secondary Teaching Lab 3
ARTED-GE 2273 Visionary Studio: Saturday Art Workshop 1
ARTED-GE 2277 Media Literacy and Visual Culture: Teaching Art in a Digital Age 3
ARTED-GE 2299 Research Art Education 2
 Credits9
4th Semester/Term
ARTED-GE 2301 Final Project in Art Education 1
ARTED-GE 2902 Student Teaching in Art Ed: Secondary School 2
 Credits3
 Total Credits30
A Steinhardt student sits on floor with children as they write and draw on a large sheet of paper

Art+Education Fieldwork

The Art+Education program connects theory with practice, balancing ideas about teaching and artmaking with hands on experiences in school and community-based settings.

Learn More about Art+Education Fieldwork

Take the Next Step

Advance your personal and professional journey – apply to join our community of students.

Apply Now