Fine Arts Education, B.A.
The B.A. Degree in Art Education is a highly rigorous and intensive program that prepares students for careers as professional educators and leads to New Jersey Certification in the Teaching of Art, grades P-12.
The program’s philosophical approach is rooted in current research which identifies psychology as a critical substructure of the artistic process. The integration of sensory, emotional, kinesthetic, and cognitive processes and implications to the development of global intelligence through artistic learning are emphasized. The program’s intellectually challenging course of study prepares future educators to engage in conceptual thought about learning in the visual arts and translate these understandings into a grounded, vivified and highly effective classroom practice.
The Art Education Program seeks only serious, responsible and academically strong students. The program is writing and reading intensive and also demands a clearly developing practice in the studio arts. To ensure retention in the program, accepted students are required not only to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above and a high level of academic achievement but also to exhibit professional performance by maturely and responsibly meeting all deadlines and expectations in courses and fieldwork.
Program Admission Interview:
Program admission is competitive. Admission to Kean University does not indicate admission into the Art Education Program. All prospective students must contact the program coordinator for an interview as soon as possible during freshman year and no later than fall of sophomore year.
Applicants must demonstrate the following:
- A grade report showing a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above.
- Clearly developing studio work or an early portfolio
- A proficient academic writing sample
- Capability in dialogic/communication skills
- Recommendations from faculty members (may also be required)
*Important: The Praxis Core test (reading, writing, and math) is required prior to official admission into the program. It should be taken as soon as possible. It may be taken after the initial program admission interview, during freshman year or early in sophomore year. Students are very strongly advised to inquire about obtaining university-based tutoring and intensively reviewing the Praxis Core Study Guide. It is also very strongly advised that students take “Exam Edge” (an on-line practice test offered free of charge) prior to taking the actual Praxis Core test. Qualifying scores must be received prior to student beginning any fieldwork.
Important Notes:
- Students must earn a B- or above in COMM 1402, ENG 1030, and take the Praxis I (see above). The Speech Examination must also be taken.
- FA 2900 must be taken in sophomore year before all other art education courses and requires special permission.
- Students should begin taking core studio courses (such as Drawing I, Drawing II and/or 2D Design) alongside general education courses during fall and spring of freshman year in order to cultivate the necessary skills needed for junior year fieldwork.
- It is extremely important that, when students anticipate beginning fieldwork, they strictly observe application deadlines set by the Teaching Performance Center. These deadlines are set nearly a year prior to actual fieldwork (February 1 for placements in the following fall and April 15th for placements in the following spring).
- The Praxis II test must be taken in junior year and scores submitted to the University before FA4991 (Professional Internship in Art Ed) in senior year.
- Capstone EDUC4000 must be taken with FA4991 (Professional Internship in Art Ed).
- All incoming students should obtain the Art Education Program Guide Sheet from the Fine Arts Department to view the most current listing of course and program requirements.
- It is each student’s responsibility to carefully read this information (and all other program-based information)and adhere to all requirements.
General Education 41
Foundation Requirements 13
See prerequisites and equivalencies
GE 1000, GE 3000: University Requirement for Graduation for all undergraduate students that must be satisfied in one of two ways: Complete GE 1000 (all freshmen and transfers entering with 0-29 credits) OR GE 3000 (transfers entering with 30 credits or more).
ENG 1030: Requires a grade of C or better.
Disciplinary/Interdisciplinary Distribution Requirements 28
Humanities 9
ENG 2403: GE Distribution course required of all students.
Select One GE Approved course from one area below:
| Philosophy or Religion | 3 |
| Foreign Languages (Must take I and II for credit) | 3 |
| Music or Theatre | 3 |
| Interdisciplinary | 3 |
Social Sciences 9
HIST 1062 GE Distribution course required of all students.
Select One GE Approved course from one area below:
| Economics or ES 1010 World Geography | 3 |
| Political Science | 3 |
| Sociology or Anthropology | 3 |
| Interdisciplinary | 3 |
Science and Mathematics 10 or 11
Select One GE Approved Science course from one area below:
| Biology | 3-4 |
| Chemistry or Physics | 3-4 |
| Environmental Sciences, Earth Sciences, Forensic Sciences or Sustainability Sciences | 3-4 |
| Interdisciplinary | 3 |
Additional Required Courses 12
Additional Required Courses 12
| FA 3920 | ART AND SPECIAL NEEDS IN EDUCATION | 3 |
| OR | |
| ID 2955 | DISABLED PERSON IN AMERICAN SOCIETY | 3 |
| | |
| PSY 2100 | CHILD PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
| OR | |
| PSY 2110 | PSYCHOLOGY OF ADOLESCENCE | 3 |
| | |
| AH 1700 | ART FROM PREHISTORY THROUGH MIDDLE AGES | 3 |
| AH 1701 | HISTORY OF ART FROM THE RENAISSANCE TO THE MODERN WORLD | 3 |
Academic Major 39
Note: Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above for retention in the program.
Major Required Courses 15
Additional Major Requirements 12
Major Electives/Area of Specialization 9
Select three (3) courses with advisement. At least one at the 3000 level or above.
Major Capstone Course 3
| FA 4800 | MEANING AND MAKING IN THE VISUAL ARTS | 3 |
Professional Education 28
Education Courses 4
| EMSE 3903 | ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS IN AMERICAN SCHOOLS | 1 |
| EDUC 3401 | LANGUAGE ARTS/READING IN K-12 SUBJECT AREA TEACHING | 3 |
Art Education Courses 21
| FA 2900 | FIELD EXPERIENCES IN MULTICULTURAL ART AND ART EDUCATION SETTINGS | 3 |
| FA 3900 | ART EDUCATION I: THE CHILD | 3 |
| FA 3901 | ART EDUCATION II: THE ADOLESCENT | 3 |
| FA 3902 | CLINICAL PRACTICE IN ART EDUCATION I: ELEMENTARY | 1 |
| FA 3903 | CLINICAL PRACTICE IN ART EDUCATION II: SECONDARY | 1 |
| FA 4990 | CLINICAL PRACTICE III: PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIP IN ART EDUCATION | 10 |
FA 3901: Writing Emphasis (WE) course.
FA 4990: Praxis Art Content - Students must earn qualifying score prior to taking FA 4990.
Education Major Capstone Course 3
| FA 4600 | FIELD PROJECTS IN CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT | 3 |
FA 4990: Praxis Art Content - Students must earn qualifying score prior to taking FA 4990.
Optional Free Elective 1
FA 1996 (Optional) Freshman Research course (1 credit)
Total Credit Hours: 120