|
|
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog
Art Education (B.A.)
|
|
 Return to: Program Descriptions
Program: B.A. Art Education (All-Grade Education Program)
Department of Art and Design
College of Visual and Performing Arts
Visual Arts Building 117 ~ 260-481-6709 ~ Art and Design
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree with a major in Art Education prepares a graduate to teach elementary, middle school, or high school art. This program provides a solid foundation in art and design in preparation for the role of the artist educator. Students acquire a creative practice in a breadth of art and design disciplines offered in the Department of Art and Design, which include ceramics, drawing, graphic design, imaging and photography, metalsmithing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and web design. The Art Education program allows student teachers to develop a philosophy for authentic artmaking conditions in their future position as art educators. The mission of the Art Education program promotes and cultivates the role of artist/teacher as the ideal educator of the arts.
The first and second-year foundational curriculum provides a solid and diverse experience for students to develop fundamental technical and conceptual skills in 2D and 3D art media. In the third and fourth years, students complete 15 credits of Advanced Studio Electives based on individual interests.
Student Learning Outcomes - Upon completion of their degrees, all B.A. Art Education students will be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:
- Utilize perceptual and conceptual skills to solve programs creatively in art/design media.
- Implement 2D and 3D design principles to create compelling and effective works of art and design in a variety of traditional and digital media.
- Demonstrate an understanding and competency of technical skills in traditional and digital art/design media to effectively communicate and express ideas.
- Effectively analyze and critique works of art/design in verbal and written forms, using visual vocabulary and familiarity with the works and intentions of major artists/designers and movements of the past and present.
- Demonstrate effective visual, verbal, and written communication skills and an aptitude to apply those skills.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the significance of art education in the classroom and the community, as well as the history of education in the United States.
- Apply functional knowledge of basic art and design practical experiences and opportunities, as well as professional ethics.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the language of art, how it relates to the social and cultural experiences of P-12 students, and how it is best taught in schools.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of state and national standards and how they are connected to learning experiences in the art curriculum.
- Demonstrate knowledge of teaching methods, learning strategies, art processes, and materials for teaching art in the classroom, elementary through secondary.
- Demonstrate an understanding of a theme-based, interdisciplinary approach to art education through written curriculum materials.
- Demonstrate an understanding of child development, special needs, and how these topics relate to approaches to teaching art in the inclusive classroom.
- Demonstrate knowledge about art and its significance in a variety of cultures and how a multicultural approach operates in the art curriculum.
- Exhibit artistic ability in portfolio review submissions and senior gallery exhibitions.
- Demonstrate proficiency in teaching through observations and the capstone student teaching semester.
Licensing Requirements:
The Art Education content exam must be taken the semester before student teaching. Students may retake the content exam until successfully passed. Students must also take and pass the pedagogy test. To receive a license for teaching K-12 art/design students must pass the area content exam and pedagogy test.
The Bachelor of Arts Art Education cannot be earned without successfully completing student teaching. Student teaching in the Bachelor of Arts Art Education is assessed with an evaluation form based on the NAEA (National Art Education Association) and State of Indiana Visual Arts Standards.
Accreditation:
- Purdue University Fort Wayne is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
Program Delivery:
- Department of Art and Design courses are offered on campus, with some distance and hybrid course offerings
Admission to B.A. with a Major in Art Education
To earn the B.A. degree, you must fulfill the requirements of Purdue University Fort Wayne (Regulations) and the College of Visual and Performing Arts (Colleges). Students completing the Art Education major must maintain a minimum 2.7 GPA within the Content Field (see below). Students who wish to pursue the B.A. Art Education degree in the Art and Design department can declare this major during the admissions process or inquire within the Department of Art and Design if they wish to declare or change to this major after admission. All students are admitted to the program as a Pre-Art Education student. Students wishing to pursue the B.A. Art Education degree must apply through the Second-Year Portfolio Review to attain formal acceptance into the program. Students must successfully submit a first-, second-, and third-year portfolio for faculty review.
The Bachelor of Arts Art Education degree is divided into three parts; 30 credit hours of General Education, 66 credit hours of Content Field (12 CR) Art History, (48 CR) Art and Design Studio, and 6 (CR) of Art Education Methods), and 24 credit hours of Professional Education. A 2.70 GPA in the Content Field and a 2.70 cumulative GPA are required for this license. A total of 120 credits minimum is required for graduation.
| Components: |
|
Credits |
| I. General Education |
|
30 |
| II. Content Field |
|
66 |
| III. Professional Education |
|
24 |
| |
Total |
120 |
|
College Scorecard
The U.S. Department of Education has created a scorecard for each university and its programs. The scorecard shows data for the university such as graduation rate, average annual cost, and median earnings. Then, when certain minimum standards have been met, data are available for a specific program. That data could include median earnings, median total debt, and number of graduates. The link below will help you learn more: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?151102-Purdue-University-Fort-Wayne&fos_code=1313&fos_credential=3 Program Requirements
A student may elect the Pass/Not-Pass grading option for non-degree elective courses only. The Pass/Not-Pass grading option is not available for General Education or any electives required for the minor. Art Education 4-Year Plan General Education Requirements: Credits 30
General Education Requirements The General Education program at PFW requires 30 credits to be completed, such that students pass each course listed below with a grade of C- or better: - Category A. Foundational Intellectual Skills (Foundational Intellectual Skills Course Lists)
- One course in A1 Written Communication Cr. 3.
- One course in A2 Speaking and Listening Cr. 3.
- One course in A3 Quantitative Reasoning Cr. 3.
- Category B. Ways of Knowing (Ways of Knowing Course Lists)
- One course in B4 Scientific Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
- One course in B5 Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
- One course in B6 Humanistic Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
- One course in B7 Artistic Ways or Knowing Cr. 3.
- One course in B8 Interdisciplinary Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
- Six additional credits from any Foundational Skills (A1-A3) or Ways of Knowing (B4-B8) categories
- At least one Ways of Knowing course that is designated as having a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or global awareness
Some programs recommend courses and/or require a specific course as part of the major that may also be used to fulfill General Education requirements. Please see below or your Academic Advisor for courses that fulfill both purposes. You can familiarize yourself with other program regulations at General Education Requirements . General Education Recommendations
Below is a list of courses that are recommended for you to complete as part of your General Education program. The General Education program at PFW requires that students pass each course listed below with a grade of C- or better. Art History Requirements: Credits 12
Art Education B.A. students are required to take 12 credit hours of Art History courses, including AD 11100-History of Art I and AD 11201-History of Art II. This is followed by two additional advanced Art History electives or 6 credits. AD 11100 and AD 11201 are prerequisites for most advanced Art History courses. Advanced Art History Elective: Credits 6
First-Year Studio Foundation Studio Requirements: Credits 18
First-Year Foundation Portfolio Review
The First-Year Portfolio is a mandatory evaluative review for all students to ensure students have met the competency level in the first-year foundations program. Once a student is enrolled in or has completed five of six first-year foundation courses, they must submit a portfolio to be reviewed by the Department of Art and Design faculty. Work from outside of the foundation-level courses will not be accepted for consideration; therefore, careful documentation and storage of one’s work is essential for success. Students will continue in the Second-Year foundation courses upon a satisfactory portfolio review. The Department of Art and Design will send out a portfolio template and detailed information regarding the portfolio review process. Students wishing to pursue a Art Education (B.A.) ,or Art (B.F.A.) (Ceramics, Drawing, Imaging and Photography, Metalsmithing, Painting, Printmaking, or Sculpture), Graphic Design (B.F.A.) , or the Web Design With Elective Studies in Information Technology (B.F.A.) degree programs may formally apply in the Second-Year Portfolio Review. Second-Year Foundation Studio Requirements: Credits 21
Second-Year Foundation Portfolio Review
The Second-Year Portfolio is a mandatory evaluative review for all students to ensure students have met the competency level in the second-year foundations program. Once a student is enrolled in or has completed five of six second-year foundation courses, they must submit a portfolio to be reviewed by the Department of Art and Design faculty. Work from outside of the foundation-level courses will not be accepted for consideration; therefore, careful documentation and storage of one’s work is essential for success. Students will continue in the Second-Year foundation courses upon a satisfactory portfolio review. The Department of Art and Design will send out a portfolio template and detailed information regarding the portfolio review process. A student applying for acceptance into the B.A. Art Education program from the Pre-Art Education program may be accepted, deferred, or denied. A student’s acceptance into the B.A. Art Education program will allow them to advance into the advanced studio classes as a declared Art Education major after successful completion of the second-year portfolio review. Students who do not meet the minimum score of 85% will be deferred and asked to re-submit a Second-Year portfolio after taking more studio courses. A deferred student will be asked to re-submit their portfolio for B.A. Art Education consideration after re-taking requested classes. A student denied entry into the B.A. Art Education will continue in the B.A. program. Denied students can apply one additional time for review into the B.A. Art Education program with permission from the department chair. Students accepted into the B.A. Art Education program must maintain a 2.7 GPA. Advanced Studio Requirements: Credits 12
Four studio courses must be taken at the Advanced Studio level (300-400-Level). Advanced Studio courses have pre-requisites, therefore students should work with their advisors to determine course progression. Third-Year Portfolio Review
Students at the end of their junior year, or upon completion of 84 credit hours, of which 48 credit hours must be studio courses, will submit a third-year portfolio for review. The portfolio must contain 12 pieces from 300- and 400-level studio courses. The department will send out detailed information regarding this review to students prior to the review. Successful students will be allowed to enroll in their remaining advanced studio coursework. Content Area Methods: Credits 6
Criminal History Background reports must be ordered by the students each year they are taking EDU courses that require field placements in school settings. Electives
Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120. The Department recommends Advanced-level studio courses to fulfill the credit requirements which will enhance your degree program. Professional Education Requirements: Credits 24
Criminal History Background reports must be ordered by the students each year they are taking EDU courses that require field placements in school settings. A 2.5 cumulative GPA is required for admission into professional education requirements. Licensure Content Area Exam (Art Education Exam)
The Licensure Content Area exam must be taken and recorded prior to student teaching. Student Teaching: Credits 12
- Student must complete an application for student teaching one year before the intended student teaching semester.
- The licensure content area exam must be taken and recorded prior to student teaching.
- Student teaching consists of a 10-week placement in one school setting plus a 6-week placement in another school setting.
- Students must have a 2.70 GPA in order to student teach.
- Pedagogy test to be taken during student teaching semester.
Recommendations, Requirements, Transfers, and Policies
Students should schedule classes within the B.A. program under the guidance of the official departmental advisor. Residence Requirements For a bachelor’s degree, registration in and completion of at least 33 credits of resident course credit at the 200 level or above, including at least 15 credits at the 300 level or above, in courses applicable to the major. Transfer and Returning Student Credit All studio and art history courses transferred from another institution or former Purdue Fort Wayne art programs must be evaluated by appropriate faculty in the Department of Art and Design program before they may be applied to a major in Art and Design. See Transfer and Returning Student Credit Review. Transfer and Returning Student Credit Review Courses in studio art that have been transferred to Purdue Fort Wayne from another institution or former Purdue Fort Wayne art programs are not counted as part of the Art and Design major unless they have been reviewed by the Art and Design faculty. For a review of transferred studio credit, the student should provide the viewer with a portfolio consisting of representative work in each area (e.g. painting, sculpture, etc.) for which the transfer credit is desired. The portfolio should include both studies and finished work and be as encompassing as possible. Academic Notice/Separation Policies If a student does not meet the university’s GPA standard, they will be notified that they have been placed on academic notice and will be asked to make progress towards meeting campus standards. Department of Art and Design programs have their own academic standards as stated above. If a student is not meeting these standards, they will be notified and placed on departmental academic notice. If a student does not make positive progress towards meeting the academic standards of the department within twelve (12) credit hours of study, they will be subject to academic separation from the Department of Art and Design program. Total Credits: 120 minimum
Student Responsibility
You are responsible for ensuring that you satisfy all graduation requirements specified for each selected program. Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career. If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study. Changing curricular records during the graduation term of application may affect state or federal financial aid awards. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean. |
Return to: Program Descriptions
|
|
