Art Education, BFA

Overview

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education explores the art and craft of writing and teaching curriculum that connects socially engaged, contemporary art and visual culture with the lives, memories, identities and communities of students in a range of educational settings. To give you the most comprehensive teacher preparation possible, we partner with organizations and schools throughout the region, offering you diverse sites to develop your own reflective, resourceful and resilient art teacher identity. When you leave our program, you will have the knowledge and skills you need to teach anywhere you like.

In addition to top-notch studio preparation in a wide range of media, our students focus on urban issues and art education for social justice. Theory is integrated into practical early field and student teaching experiences. Throughout the program, assessment is aligned with the requirements for licensure under “PI-34,” the state law governing certification in Wisconsin. Students who demonstrate mastery of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of professional educators during student teaching are recommended to the Department of Public Instruction in the State of Wisconsin for a PK-12 teaching license.

A pillar of our program is ArtsECO (Arts Education/Community Ecosystem), which develops teachers as change-makers. This network of arts organizations, nonprofits and schools wraps your education in support through internships and a variety of career-connected learning experiences, as well as a vibrant student organization. It also supports you after graduation through mentorship, networking and professional development during your early years as an art educator and beyond.

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Faculty and Staff

Our inspirational faculty and staff make sure students feel welcome and empowered to think outside the box and explore all possibilities of making art at UWM. Visit the Peck School of the Arts directory to meet these artists, explore their biographies and engage with recent work.

Scholarships and Aid 

Financial constraints shouldn’t hinder your artistic dreams. Our comprehensive range of scholarships and aid programs is designed to empower and support artists like you.

Study Abroad

We believe that a complete education in the arts should take you beyond the classroom and the local community. By studying abroad, you’ll gain more than a change of scenery. You’ll embark on a transformative educational experience and bring a global perspective to your field of study. Explore upcoming trips offered in partnership with the Center for International Education.

Requirements

Credit Overview - Undergraduate

Preparatory Coursework

Based on individual placement results, some students may be required to complete preparatory coursework before enrolling in the courses listed here. This may include English language or composition preparation, developmental math, introductory chemistry, and/or student support courses for students participating in the First Year Bridge program. 

General Education Requirements (GER)

UW-Milwaukee has General Education Requirements that must be met in order to earn a bachelor’s or associate degree. They include at minimum 30 credits (10 courses) in six categories that are designed to assure basic student competencies and provide a broad body of knowledge as a context for specialization.

Some degree requirements may fulfill GERs. Please review the requirements and consult with your academic advisor.   

Admission Requirements

Undergraduate

Undergraduate applicants must meet general University admission requirements in addition to specific Peck School of the Arts program requirements.

Post-Baccalaureate

Post-Baccalaureate applicants must first apply to the Peck School of the Arts and meet specific Peck School of the Arts program requirements.

Advance to Major and Retention

Once students enter the Art & Design program they can declare Art Education as their intended major. Art Ed Intended students receive priority registration in art courses over non-art majors and may apply to the program upon completion of 30 credits, fulfillment of the first-year art foundation courses and completion of ART ED 227 with a grade of B or higher. After successful completion of the above, students should contact the PSOA Advising & Student Services Office by April 15 to request permission to enroll in  ART ED 327.

Proficiency Review 

All Art Education intended students are required to participate in a proficiency review after completing ART ED 227 Introduction to Art Education with a grade of B or better. Students submit a portfolio of work from ART ED 227 to be reviewed by Art Education faculty. A review of the portfolios determines whether a student will be admitted into the Art Education Teacher Certification program, and enrolled in ART ED 327 Art Education Theory and Practice.

Credits and Courses - Undergraduate

Art History and Education Requirements

Art Studio Requirements

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Choose 4 courses at 300-level or higher. See academic advisor.

Major Requirements

Credits and Courses - Post-Baccalaureate

The Art Education Post-Baccalaureate Program is a pathway to teacher certification for those who have already earned an undergraduate degree in Art and have graduated with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
 
Transcript evaluations are required prior to admission to a post-baccalaureate teacher certification program. The transcript evaluation determines courses taken and courses needed to obtain a teaching certification in your area of interest.

Accelerated Post-Baccalaureate Pathway

The Art Education Post-Baccalaureate offers an accelerated program that can be completed over 18 months: two summer sessions and three semesters (Summer 1, Fall 1, Spring 1, Summer 2, Fall 2). The accelerated post-bac begins in summer session 1. This program is structured to maximize flexibility for post-bac students who are already teaching in the public schools. Students who cannot complete the accelerated program can still fulfill the requirements on a longer timeline. The program requires between 37-43 credits depending on individual students’ studio course experience.

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For students who need additional art studio experiences. 

K-12 Teacher Certification and Licensing

We prepare students to teach the arts in schools and community settings with a path to WI teacher licensure. Once admitted, students can apply to their intended arts education program which includes a criminal background check. Courses which include clinical or field experience or internships, require a criminal background check and negative Tuberculosis (TB) test result for placement in a field experience. Students are responsible for obtaining the information necessary to become knowledgeable about the requirements below and plan their studies accordingly. Please refer to the Credits and Courses section and connect with the PSOA Advising & Student Services Office for further information.

Communication Competency

A grade of C or higher in: COMMUN 101 or COMMUN 103 (or THEATRE 260 for Theatre majors).

The communicative abilities of students remain under constant review as a factor for retention in the program. Students experiencing communication difficulty may be remanded for remedial work. Students who have satisfactorily completed an interpersonal course at another college or university may request an evaluation of their communication status through the Department of Communication.

Developmental Reading Course

All teachers of special subjects (e.g., music, art, theatre) wishing to be certified by the State of Wisconsin (K-12) must complete one course in developmental reading (CURRINS) with a C or better.

Human Learning and Development

Students must demonstrate an understanding of how pupils grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas. Completion of an approved course in Ed Psych with a C or better meets this requirement.

ACT 31

Students must have knowledge of the history, culture, and tribal sovereignty of American Indian tribes and bands located in Wisconsin to meet the ACT 31 requirement. Successful completion of ANTHRO 213, ENGLISH 276 or ACT 31 workshop through UWM Continuing Education or other approved courses meet this requirement.

Exceptional Education

Students must complete a course in exceptional education with a C or better to be eligible for a license.

Certification

Students are required to keep a portfolio of evidence to document satisfaction of PI 34 teaching standards. Portfolio content is defined, evaluated, and reviewed by individual programs. Successful completion of K-12 required classes with a C or better and a recommendation of program faculty are required before admission to student teaching. Students are also required to meet a 3.0+ GPA on specific content knowledge coursework or pass the content test (Praxis II) prior to student teaching.

Student Teaching

Eligibility for student teaching is determined by admission to the Peck School of the Arts program, departmental recommendation, completion of all prerequisite courses and fulfillment of any departmental requirements.

In general, education methods courses are not transferable from other institutions. These courses must be taken in residence. Other criteria include removal of all incompletes in required courses, compliance with the Human Relations Requirement, satisfactory class standing, negative TB test passing Criminal Background Check, recommendation by the department, and submission of the student teacher application. Specific dates and directions for applying are available from each program by request.

Teacher's License Applications

Students eligible for graduation are not automatically recommended for certification to the State Department of Public Instruction. They must first be approved for certification by their departments.

After all requirements have been met for the undergraduate degree with Teacher Certification or the post-baccalaureate degree certification program and the departmental approval is obtained and the degree is posted, a student may apply to the WI Department of Public Instruction for a state teacher's license.

The Department of Public Instruction conducts a criminal record check of each applicant for a teaching license, like that used for admission to the arts education program. Based on this information, an applicant may be denied a license even if recommended for certification by UWM.

Undergraduate Advising

Academic advising is a collaborative process that empowers students to realize their maximum educational potential. Students are encouraged to visit the Peck School of the Arts Advising & Student Services page to meet with your advisor prior to each semester’s registration period. Advisors provide students with individualized appointments to assist with degree requirements, course selection, campus resources, college success strategies, graduation assessment, academic policies and more.

Sample Plan of Study

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Any of these courses are eligible to count for the two courses in Humanities and Arts category of GERs if those GERs are not already satisfied.

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Social and Behavioral Science, Natural Science and Wellness, or Civics and Perspectives.

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COMMUN 101 can count towards the Social and Behavioral Science GER if not already fulfilled. COMMUN 103 can count towards the Communication and Literacy GER if not already fulfilled.

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Students who use program requirements for their GER courses may take electives to fulfill the 120 credit minimum for a BFA degree, as long as all program requirements are satisfied.

Accelerated Post-Baccalaureate Plan of Study

Art Education, BFA Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with the BFA in Art Education from the Art & Design Department will be able to: 

• Identify and describe artistic practices and artists across cultures.
• Apply technical proficiency in a range of art disciplines, with fluency in at least one medium.   
• Research, critically analyze, and design advanced curricula that reflect current quality curriculum and art education theories, broader contexts of contemporary art, and an emphasis on urban education and social justice issues. 
• Develop and implement state-of-the-art management and instructional strategies in art educational settings.
• Explain approaches that support child development, diverse learning needs and preferences, and responsiveness to urban students and learning environments. 
• Design and use a range of effective assessment strategies to analyze student learning, inform teaching, and communicate evaluation of learning outcomes to school and community stakeholders. 
• Embody and enact professional dispositions and expectations relevant to the field of art education and educational settings.

Policies and Regulations

Academic Regulations

For information on University-wide Academic Action Policy and honors for scholarship, see Academic Policies.

Auditing Courses

No studio or performance courses may be audited. 

Grievance and Appeal Procedures

If you have concerns about a class or a grade, or if you’ve been dropped from a program and would like to appeal, follow the grievance procedures found under the resources section on the Peck School of the Arts Advising & Student Services page.

Independent Study

Under special conditions, juniors and seniors are permitted to take courses in independent study. For regulations on independent study, see the departmental advisor.

Program Changes

All program changes must be signed by the instructor and the Peck School of the Arts Office of Student Services. Certain other courses may also require this approval indicated in the semester's Schedule of Classes.

Second Bachelor's Degree Candidates

Students with good scholastic records who wish to earn a second bachelor's degree in the Peck School of the Arts must obtain the recommendation of the Peck School of the Arts department in which they wish to major before they can be accepted. Upon acceptance, students must earn in residence a minimum of 30 credits beyond the studies for the first degree and must satisfy all curriculum requirements.

Semester Credit Load

A full-time Peck School of the Arts student is one who takes a minimum of 12 credits per semester. Typically, Peck School of the Arts students are not permitted to carry more than 18 credits per semester. Students who have a 3.0+ cumulative GPA may, with the permission of the Peck School of the Arts Office of Student Services, carry up to 21 credits per semester.

Transfer Students

Transfer students from other universities and colleges or UWM units are accepted by the Peck School of the Arts provided they meet the UWM admissions criteria and have a 2.0+ cumulative GPA.

Honors in the Major

• Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a GPA of 3.500 or greater in the major and the academic department's recommendation.
• High Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or greater and the academic department's recommendation.
• Departmental Honors are granted to students recommended by their academic department for Honors excellence in performance not reflected in the GPA.
• Dean's Honors are granted to students with major achievements in one or more of the arts.

College of the Arts and Architecture Dean's Honor List

GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.

Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction

Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.

Commencement Honors

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).

Final Honors

Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.