MA : ART EDUCATION

The MA in art education is a cohort program intended for teachers who desire intensive curriculum development, professional development, and additional content and skills in the disciplines of a comprehensive art program. A masters degree prepares students to pursue a PhD or EdD in art education if that is their intention. The MA in art education can also contribute to K-12 licensure requirements for graduate students who are interested in teaching art.

Requirements for Degree

• Credit hours (36 hours): minimum 30 course-work hours plus 6 thesis hours. Course work hours primarily from 500- and 600-level courses (no more than 9 hours of 300- or 400-level courses may apply).
• Course requirements: 12 hours of core art education seminar (ArtEd 678R); 12 hours of ArtEd 578R (3 hours of digital art; 9 hours of studio art); 3 hours of art history courses; 3 hours of advanced art studio electives; 6 thesis hours (ArtEd 699R).
• Examinations: comprehensive examination and oral defense of thesis.

Program Outcomes

• Studio Practice - Students will further develop their personal artistic practice in relation to current discourses related to contemporary art and their own pedagogy.
• Literature and History of the Field - Students will demonstrate understanding and knowledge of historical trends in art, design, and education and the ability to access relevant sources of research and commentary within these fields.
• Leadership and Community - Students will contribute to a strong collaborative community network through leadership and service within a graduate cohort and among various art education professional organizations.
• Professional Activity - Students will actively participate and contribute to the field as researchers and practitioners.
• Research - Students will conduct reflective research within their own teaching contexts and explore and contribute to significant topics within the field.
• Spirituality - Students will demonstrate the ability to consider complex questions and personal responsibilities associated with art and education in the light of gospel principles and through their experiences as researchers, artists, and teachers.

MA Art Education students who are fully enrolled and in good standing in their program are eligible for Graduate Studies scholarships for the first 4 semesters of their degree program. These scholarships vary in amount depending on the number of students enrolled in the program, but tend to offset around half the cost of graduate LDS tuition for a fully-enrolled student. Eligible graduate students do not need to apply to receive this funding.

These are tuition scholarships, and as such are applied to the awardee's Financial Center account at the beginning of each semester after the student has successfuly registered for the number of credit hours required. The scholarship funds are automatically applied toward any outstanding charges (tuition, insurance, fees, etc.) and the remainder is then disbursed to the bank account associated with the Financial Center.

Additional financial support is available in the form of employment within the department, teaching assistantships/instructorships, and Need-Based Scholarships.

For more information about tuition and cost of living, please visit Graduate Studies' page.

We hope to accept applications again in late 2027. Please reach out to Kaleb Ostraff or Tara Carpenter Estrada with any questions.

For more information and specifics about the program, required courses for the degree, and procedures, please refer to our MA Handbook.

• ​BYU Graduate Studies
• ​Program Summary
• About BYU

Contact