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Art Education

Art is an essential part of our culture and way of life. It is the act of creativity realized.

Paintings in a classroom
Paintings in a classroom

Types

Bachelor

Location

On-Campus

Credits

45*

Cost

$9,875

Ignite creativity in future artists!

Art, a conduit for emotion, a beacon in darkness, a showcase of skill, a source of hope, and a catalyst for joy. Make a difference by imparting the gift of art to the upcoming generation!
If you possess a love for children and a fervor for art, University of the Cumberlands’ Art Education Program is tailor-made for you. This program provides a robust foundation aligned with your future aspirations and career objectives. Explore a spectrum of artistic techniques and mediums, challenging yourself under the mentorship of faculty members who themselves excel as accomplished artists.
Our Art Education Degree program offers a comprehensive education merging the traditional and innovative, grounded in a robust liberal arts framework. Upon graduation, you'll be equipped with certification essential for pursuing impactful art education opportunities, empowering you to shape and influence the next wave of young artists!

Anchor: Stats

By the numbers

2nd

in KY, Education Programs

$61,820

Average Salary

5%

Industry Growth

No. 2

in KY, Master's Education Degrees
Anchor: Programs & Requirements
Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.

To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog. 

General Education Requirements

Bachelor of Science with a Teaching Major in Art

Want to study art and pass on this knowledge and appreciation to the next generation? This program will equip you with everything you need to do just that! You’ll study the history of art and learn about great artists of the past and present. You’ll also get hands on experience with the craft, working with different mediums such as drawing, painting, design, and more, to develop your own artistic talent! You’ll combine courses like these with education courses that will give you the tools you need to effectively teach young people and influence their view of art and the world forever. 

Course Requirements

9 hours of Art electives at the 300 or 400 level.

Students seeking secondary certification must also take 42 hours of professional education courses. 

A Bachelor of Arts requires all the same courses as a Bachelor of Science with the addition of four classes (12 hours) in a foreign language.

Choose one foreign language sequence:

  • FREN 131        Elementary French I
  • FREN 132        Elementary French II
  • FREN 231        Intermediate French I
  • FREN 232        Intermediate French II
     
  • SPAN 131        Elementary Spanish I
  • SPAN 132        Elementary Spanish II
  • SPAN 231        Intermediate Spanish I
  • SPAN 232        Intermediate Spanish II

Take the Next Step

Anchor: Mission & Goals

Mission & Goals

The purpose of the art education degree program at UC is to prepare you to pursue a fine arts career and obtain a teaching certification. We’re here to help you develop your unique artistic style and teach you to be a competent and caring educator.

Develop your individual creative ability and exhibit artwork in campus exhibitions.
Investigate humanity’s cultural heritage as revealed through visual art.
Learn to create lesson plans, manage classrooms, create assessments, and more.
Learn to make intelligent and qualitive judgments about visual artwork.
Complete the courses required for certification by the Kentucky Department of Education to teach art in public and private schools.
Anchor: Career Outcomes

Art Education Careers & Outcomes

All stats from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

High School Art Teacher: $61,620

High School Art Teacher: $61,620

As a secondary art teacher, you will mostly work in high schools, teaching art to older students, creating safe and productive classroom environments, organizing learning activities for students, upholding school rules, giving and grading assignments, and supervising students, all while instilling in them an appreciation for art.

Elementary Art Teacher: $61,350

Elementary Art Teacher: $61,350

Description: As an elementary art teacher, you will mostly work in elementary schools, preparing lessons for elementary-aged students, teaching drawing, painting, photography and other studio arts, helping uphold school rules, moderating behavior of students in the classroom, and instilling aesthetic appreciation in children early on. 

Curriculum Designer: $63,740

Curriculum Designer: $63,740

As a curriculum designer, you will work behind the scenes, creating the lessons, materials, and learning plans that teachers and students will use in the course of their art education. You’ll use your skills to create curriculums and ensure their success.

Recreational Art Therapist: $47,940

Recreational Art Therapist: $47,940

As an art therapist, you will use your knowledge of the art world from your degree in art education and combine it with a master’s degree so you can apply these skills to helping individuals by using art as a therapeutic and healing process.

Museum Educator: $50,120

Museum Educator: $50,120

As a museum educator, you’ll have the opportunity to work in art museums and galleries, hosting lectures and workshops, teaching museumgoers about exhibits, artifacts, and art history, while working alongside curators, owners, and prominent artists in your community.

Art Director: $100,890

Art Director: $100,890

If you’re interested in art education but want a career outside the classroom, this could be a good option for you. As an art director, you will have opportunities to work with magazines, newspapers, movie and tv productions, product packaging, and more, helping these companies to create aesthetically pleasing images and curating visual style.

Anchor: FAQs

Common Questions

The most common career options for someone with an art education degree are teaching positions in a primary or secondary school setting. However, if your interests lie outside the classroom, there are still plenty of things you can do with your degree! Some art education graduates use their degree to launch a career in fine art, honing their craft and exhibiting and selling their work. Other possibilities with an art education degree include pursuing art therapy, graphic design, illustration, product design, and more! 

The requirements to teach in a public P-12 school system vary by state, but there are some universal requirements. You must earn a bachelor’s degree from a program that explores how to teach younger age groups and focuses on artistic expression. You will likely need to do some student teaching and pass a state test to apply for a teaching certification. Then you can begin exploring job opportunities! 

Some skills that are helpful in the art education world are technical art skills, good interpersonal communication skills, organization skills, leadership skills, behavior analysis skills, and instructional skills. 

Yes! There are plenty of things you can do with an art education degree besides teaching. Curriculum designer, museum educator, and art curator are just a few of these options. 

Art is an integral part of being human, and art in education is just as important. Not only is art worth learning and teaching in its own right, but it can have a beneficial impact on other areas of study as well. It’s been linked to academic achievement, motivated students, teamwork, and building confidence, and it’s been shown to improve performance in math, reading, critical thinking, reasoning, verbal skills and more. Integrating art into our education systems is an investment in the development and progress of our youth. 

Absolutely. University of the Cumberlands is accredited through SACSCOC, and our School of Education is accredited through the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) Educational Professional Standards Board (EPSB). Furthermore, the School of Education is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), a national accrediting body.

"As an art student at UC, I’ve learned not only how to express my passion as an artist, but to see every artistic and beautiful aspect of the world around us."
Rachel Wade
Title / Department
Anchor: Faculty

Faculty Experts

Learn more about our art and education professors!

Ashton Leach

Ashton Leach

Field/Clinical Coordinator | Assistant Professor
Education

Ashton Leach

Contact Information

606.539.4392
ashton.leach [at] ucumberlands.edu
Luecker Building
Melissa Evans

Melissa Evans

Director of Certification | Assistant Professor
Education

Melissa Evans

Contact Information

606.539.4395
melissa.evans [at] ucumberlands.edu
Luecker Building
Elisha Sester Web

Elisha Sester

Field/Clinical Coordinator | Assistant Professor
Education

Elisha Sester

Contact Information

606.539.5443
elisha.sester [at] ucumberlands.edu
Luecker Building
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