Art Education, B.S.
B.S. in Art Education
Participatory. Creative. Socially Relevant.Invent the future of arts learning.
Penn State Art Education prepares knowledgeable, skilled, and creative leaders to teach social and environmental justice in educational contexts such as schools, community settings, and cultural institutions.
Earn a Bachelor of Science in Art Education at Penn State
Educate. Engage. Inspire. Be an agent of change.
As an art teacher, you will use creativity to communicate critical responses to social and cultural matters helping artists of all ages learn about themselves and the world through art. You will use imagination to develop effective practices and policies that can lead to educational improvement and transformation. You will use passion to collaborate across disciplines and constituencies to promote social change.
Our alumni are leaders in the field working in diverse contexts from schools to museums. Our faculty receive international awards, lead professional organizations, and contribute research guiding the field. As a student at Penn State you are a part of a proud tradition of inventing the future of art education.
Fulfill your potential as a creative artist and a dynamic teacher to impact positively the lives of learners though visual art. The Art Education Program at Penn State will introduce you to a range of ideas and experiences and enable you to grow your passion into a creative career.
Next Steps
Is the B.S. in Art Education right for you?
You believe creativity is a human resource that can be developed. You feel you have the capacity to make a difference in the lives of children and youth. You believe that learning through the arts can bring new perspectives about complex concepts and issues
Becoming a visual art teacher means using your creative capabilities to help others explore and discover new ways of seeing and thinking about the changing world in which they live.
With this degree, you will have what it takes to achieve Pennsylvania Instructional I Art teacher certification. Students who earn this degree become educators in PK-12 schools, museums, and community organizations.
Our degree program includes field experiences in PK-12 schools and community programs, and culminates in a semester-long student teaching experience in elementary and secondary schools.
- Complete place-based observations and participatory teaching experiences.
- Many art education majors also earn BFA degrees in studio art or a related degree simultaneously.
- Related career pathways in museums, arts administration, art therapy, and advanced degrees.
Many US states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map. (Available July 2020.)
Considering the B.S. in Art Education? Consider this.
Graduates earn Pennsylvania Instructional I art teacher PK-12 certification.
For more information, please visit the University Bulletin.
- Career paths include art museums, galleries, cultural agencies, and community programs.
- Prepare for graduate studies by working closely with faculty and graduate student mentors.
- Internship opportunities and hands-on experiences at sites such as the Palmer Museum of Art.
- Develop innovative, engaging, and transformative approaches to teaching and learning art.
Alumni Spotlight
alumni spotlight
Meliza Fermin
Meliza Fermin is an award-winning visual effects artist across television and film genres. She won an Emmy for Outstanding Visual Effects for her work on the television show Heroes, and Emmy certificates for her contributions to The Battle of Gettysburg and American Horror Story. Currently, Meliza works at Fuse FX as a senior digital matte painter on shows such as American Horror Story and Timeless.