Provided with a background in art history from prehistoric to contemporary, students relate their understanding of artistic styles and principles to all major visual arts and the related fields of music, dance and theatre. Social, economic and cultural influences are also interrelated with the visual arts. Because the future teacher must also develop competencies in professional education, education courses and field observation begin in the foundation year and continue throughout the course of study. The study of developmental and educational psychology provides students with requisite understanding of the cognitive and affective development of the child. Students are provided the opportunity to teach model lessons, to prepare unit plans, to research materials and to evaluate their own abilities through both audio and video taping of their lessons.
Student teaching is a requirement for certification.
Prior to certification, the Art Education student earns twelve credits as a practice teacher in both elementary and secondary school settings.