Art Education

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The Visual Art Education major will provide you with a strong foundational method of art making and theory, preparing you for New York State certification. New York State certification in Visual Art Education is a specialized comprehensive degree that will allow you to teach kindergarten through grade 12. Those who receive New York State certification are granted reciprocity in thirty-eight other states.

Program Highlights

RELATIONAL BASED TEACHING

Class sizes of 12 or less and professors dedicated to mentoring their students.

PREPARE FOR YOUR CAREER

You'll have observation hours and a semester in area schools student teaching.

INITIAL AND PERMANENT CERTIFICATION IN 5 YEARS

Prepare for permanent New York State teacher certification through Roberts' 4+1 program.

What Will I Learn?

We believe good teachers must be good artists. This program has developed its reputation through a strong core of courses in art-making, art history, art education, and teacher education.

Through the curriculum, you will explore learning styles and cognitive theory in relation to educating kids in the arts for grades K-12.

With a concentration in studio art, you will experience art materials and methods and relate those to integrated lessons addressing a diversity of student populations.

In your first year, you will take art foundation courses (ART 102, 103, 104, 105) and introductory education courses. In your sophomore and junior year, you will study art education methods and delve deeper into your art-making with studio courses. As a senior, you will complete your student teaching practicum along with a Capstone Studio Art Project. 

Successful completion of the program requirements and passing the state certification exams will lead to provisional New York State teacher certification in Visual Art K-12.

Where Can It Take Me?

Student Teaching Placements

  • Churchville Chili
  • Rochester Prep Charter
  • Urban Choice Charter
  • Various Rochester City School District
  • Rush Henrietta
  • St. Lawrence Catholic School
  • Northstar Christian Academy
  • Canandaigua
  • St. Mary’s Catholic School
  • Leroy
  • Brighton
  • East Irondequoit
  • West Irondequoit
  • Fairport
  • Monroe 1 BOCES

Careers

  • St. Marks Episcopal School Art Teacher
  • Spencerport High School Art Teacher
  • Elkton Middle School Art Teacher
  • Pittsford High School Art Teacher
  • Churchville Chili Elementary School Art Teacher
  • Llama Creations
  • Heisgler Photography
  • LeBoeuf Designs
  • Family Services of Western PA

Grad Schools

    • Roberts Wesleyan University
    • St. John Fisher
    • Nazareth College
    • University of Rochester
    • Empire State College
    • SUNY Brockport
    • SUNY Geneseo

Who Will I Meet?

Virginia Gerhardt

I want to be an art teacher based on my love for art and working with children. The idea of working with kids who have such a fresh understanding of the world pushes me to want to impact them in a positive way for the rest of their lives. I create art to express my view of the world and to explore my passion of the creative outlet that I have loved since I was young. I hope to influence people with my art and help them gain a new perspective on the world.


Romy Hosford, M.F.A.

Romy Hosford is a multimedia artist and educator and has taught at Roberts since 2011. She received her MFA degree in Visual Studies at the Visual Studies Workshop, Rochester, NY, in conjunction with The College at Brockport. Her work there centered in Photography, video, artists’ books, and installation art. Before returning to her native Rochester for graduate school she received both a BFA and MS in Art Education from Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY and taught public school for several years in Northern Virginia. Read more about Professor Hosford.

Alumni Success

photo of Rahcel King

Rachel King '15

Art Teacher (K - 8th Grade)

St. Mark's Episcopal School

photo of Adam Gallagher

Adam Gallagher

High School Fine Arts Teacher

NYC Department of Education

photo of Adam Gursslin

Adam Gursslin '00

Art Teacher

Pittsford Sutherland High School

Take Your Next Step

Get More Information

Related Majors

Adolescence Education & Students with Disabilities 7-12 Generalist - Thinking about becoming a Secondary Education Major? Our Adolescence Education program leads to initial certification in the major for grades 7-12 with an extension for grades 5-6.
Childhood/Students With Disabilities & Special Education - This undergraduate major will lead to both Childhood Education and Special Education Certification (grades 1-6), greatly enhancing a graduate’s ability to be employed in related fields.
Digital Media Art - Get your degree in digital media art and learn visual storytelling (film/ video/ photo), visual communication, media art & design, communication arts, and media.
Studio Art - In the Visual Arts Program, students explore the beauty of God’s creation through studio exploration in traditional technique and contemporary approach, en route to a Studio Art Degree.
Carpenter Hall - 3238 - 585.594.6120 - ciaccia_kathryn@roberts.edu