Program Overview
Fuse your passion for art and your desire to work with young people as you embark in the field of art education.
Combining courses from UNE’s School of Arts and Humanities and School of Professional Programs, the Bachelor of Arts in Art Education major introduces you to the theory and practice of education while developing your skills in both traditional arts. Some of these skills include drawing and painting, digital arts, animation, and photography.
You’ll graduate with a teaching certificate, on-the-job experience, and the artistic skills you’ll need to be a successful K-12 visual arts teacher.
Why UNE for Art Education
Because of UNE’s strong relationships with local schools, you’ll benefit from continuous fieldwork, beginning your first semester. The hours you spend working directly with students prepare you to be the best visual arts teacher you can be and often open the door to opportunities for permanent employment.
- Work closely with faculty who are professional scholars and nationally renowned artists
- Studio work that culminates with your own art exhibition
- Study abroad options, including overseas student teaching opportunities
Academics
Examples of Available Courses
There are many ways you can navigate the Art Education major. The following are some examples of the inspiring courses that you can take:
- Methods of Art Education
- Diversity Issues in Schools
- Drawing
- Painting
- Printmaking
- Exceptionality in the Classroom
- 21st Century Learning Through Technology
- Curriculum and Assessment
- Three Dimensional Fundamentals
- Graphic Design
- Scientific Illustration
Curriculum
| CAS Core Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| Total | 42–26 |
| Required Art Courses | Credits |
| ART 104 – Painting I | Credits included in Core Requirements |
| ART 110 – Ceramics I | 3 |
| ART 113 – Three Dimensional Fundamentals | 3 |
| ART 114 – Printmaking | 3 |
| ART 118 – Drawing & Design Fundamentals | 3 |
| ART 200 – Advanced Drawing | 3 |
| ART 395 – Studio Concentration Seminar | 3 |
| ARH 210 – Art History Survey I | 3 |
| ARH 211 – Art History Survey II | 3 |
| ARH 260 – Renaissance & Baroque Art or ARH 270 – Art in the Modern World | 3 |
| One (1) Elective Course from List A | 3 |
| One (1) Elective Course from List B | 3 |
| Total | 33 |
| Required Education Courses | Credits |
| EDU 105 – Exploring Teaching | Credits included in Core Requirements |
| EDU 110 – Supporting 21st Century Learning/Tech | 3 |
| EDU 202 – Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment | 3 |
| EDU 382 – Reading/Lang/Child Lit: Adolescents | 3 |
| EDU 385 – Diversity Issues in Schools | 3 |
| EDU 441 – Methods in Art Education | 3 |
| EDU 484 – K-12 Internship (Art) | 12 |
| EDU 488 – Secondary or Art Ed Practicum | 3 |
| SPE 220 – Exceptionality in the Class | 3 |
| SPE 405 – Inclusive Methods and Data Based Decision Making | 3 |
| Total | 36 |
| Open elective courses (needed to reach 120 credits) | Variable |
| Minimum Required Total Credits | 120 |
Elective Course Options
| List A Elective Course Options | Credits |
|---|---|
| ART 101 – Watercolor | 3 |
| ART 102 – Photography | 3 |
| ART 106 – Two-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ART 108 – Boatbuilding | 3 |
| ART 109 – T-Shirt Design | 3 |
| ART 111 – Scientific Illustration | 3 |
| ART 124 – The Painted Book | 3 |
| ART 199 – Topics in Art | 3 |
| LIL 120 – Introductory Arts & Humanities Seminar | 3 |
| List B Elective Course Options | Credits |
| ART 206 – Expressions in Clay | 3 |
| ART 207 – Landscape Painting | 3 |
| ART 214 – Color Digital Photography | 3 |
| ART 230 – Graphic Design | 3 |
| ART 234 – Digital Animation | 3 |
| ART 299 – Advanced Topics in Art | 3 |
| PSY 430 – Intro to Art Therapy | 3 |
| WRT 211 – Creative Writing: Poetry | 3 |
| WRT 212 – Creative Writing: Short Fiction | 3 |
| WRT 304 – Read & Write in Digital Environments | 3 |
| WRT 317 – Proposal and Grant Writing | 3 |
Field Experience
The faculty in the Department of Education is committed to ongoing and frequent observation and involvement in schools. The teacher education programs at UNE have a specific competency-based focus to meet the Maine standards for teacher certification. All students engaged in teacher preparation will spend time in a field setting in each of the semesters for which they are registered for professional education courses. Involvement in the schools will be connected to specific, course-related tasks (e.g., observation, teaching lessons, conducting experiments, administering assessments, etc.). Transportation to and from schools is the responsibility of the student.
Internship
Without specific permission from the Education Department Chair, courses may not be taken during the internship semester, so all required coursework must be completed the semester prior to the internship. Admission to the internship is not guaranteed (see section on “Admission requirements and successful progression in the program”). In addition, the student should have:
- Sufficient knowledge regarding the components of effective instruction.
- Sufficient knowledge of appropriate grade-level content and teaching methods.
- Sufficient knowledge of the developmental needs of students.
- Sufficient knowledge of how to establish and maintain effective cooperative relationships with school personnel, students, and parents.
- Understanding of and empathy for working with students.
- No serious reservations identified on the Student Assessment of Professional Attributes (SAPA) instrument.
The selection of individual internship sites will be made by the Certification and Placement Officer. Geographical location relative to UNE is a consideration. UNE has a collaborative relationship with many districts and selects both schools and teachers based on their interest in and ability to assist interns in demonstrating mastery of the Maine Common Core Teaching Standards. Placement in an internship is not guaranteed. The Department of Education, through its Certification and Placement Officer, will make a good faith effort to negotiate an appropriate placement. Schools have the right to refuse placement requests. The 15-week student teaching experience must be done in a local Maine Public School that is in an established internship protocol with the University of New England.
Professional Educator Review Board
All students enrolled in the internship must demonstrate their teaching competence with respect to Maine Common Core Teaching Standards before the Professional Educator Review Board (PERB). The Board is comprised of professional educators from area schools as well as UNE faculty. Students are required to develop a presentation reflecting their proficiency in meeting these state standards and present and defend the presentation in front of the Board. Passing PERB is a requirement for completion of the certification program and subsequently being recommended to the Maine State Department of Education for teacher licensure.
To learn more about the program visit the Academic Catalog.
Changes were made to this program in an addendum to the 2022/23 academic calendar. Please see the 2022–2023 Catalog Addendum (PDF) for the most recent information. As always, it is recommended that students seek the guidance of Academic Advisors for course and program planning. In this way, you will be able to access all the most up-to-date information available.
K-12 Teaching Certification
Successful completion of the major meets all requirements of the Maine State K-12 Visual Arts Teacher Certification Program.
Meet our faculty and professional staff
Discover UNE's Art Programs
Find Your Career
While becoming a visual arts teacher is the goal of most Art Education majors, there are other fascinating careers that you may choose to pursue with your Art Education degree, including:
- Graphic Designer
- Digital Animator
- Private Art Studio Instructor
- Photographer
- Web Designer
- Fine Artist
Career Advising
Whether you have a specific career goal in mind or a vague idea of the field that interests you, Career Advising is here to help you plan your next step.
Take a Virtual Tour of the Arts Building
Experiential Learning
As an Art Education major, you’ll develop a wide array of expertise that includes more than knowledge of theories and principles. Through studio work and frequent teaching experiences, you’ll master artistic techniques and gain the confidence you need to share your love of art with a classroom of students.
Fieldwork in the Schools
- Support a visual arts teacher
- Help to run an after school program
- Lead art activities at family and community events
Student Teaching Internship
Your hands-on learning culminates with a 15-week student teaching internship.
- Refine skills acquired through coursework and fieldwork
- Become comfortable and confident in your teaching abilities
- Form close working relationships with students and school personnel
- Network and make connections that will increase your employability
Art Opportunities
Art Gallery
The Art Gallery on UNE's Portland Campus houses a permanent collection of paintings, drawings, photographs, and sculptures by nationally and internationally renowned artists. It mounts six exhibitions each year in a variety of media that ranges from contemporary fine art to photography, to international themes, to works by women and by Maine artists.
From June through October, the gallery presents an Annual Sculpture Garden around its exterior. On occasion, different exhibitions are arranged at other locations on our Portland and Biddeford campuses.
Events
The Office of Student Affairs collaborates with our Art programs to bring a variety of arts events to the Biddeford Campus, ranging from lunchtime concerts at the Alfond Cafe to poetry readings, to gallery exhibits at the Campus Center and Engine gallery in downtown Biddeford.
Portland Art Scene
Portland's art scene includes the Portland Museum of Art, SPACE Gallery, and numerous private and nonprofit art galleries.