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Art Education

Art educators inspire young people to access their full intellect and pursue their dreams of becoming artists, discoverers and visionaries.

Our graduates utilize art to raise public awareness about important human and societal issues by teaching in schools, galleries and museums.

At Kean, our art education students benefit from a distinguished psychology-based approach to teaching art that helps children and adolescents enhance their creativity, organize their experiences and manage their emotions. Practical classroom internships and rigorous coursework help our students build unique skill sets that distinguish them when they enter the job market.

Our graduates can be found teaching at schools across New Jersey and beyond, shaping young minds, one student at a time.

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Art Education - Kean student painters

Art education majors are given ample opportunities to hone their craft and exhibit their work.

What You Learn

You receive cutting-edge instruction that combines 21st-century teaching methods with close mentoring, internship opportunities, and a well-rounded liberal arts education that will enrich you as an artist and teacher.

  • Study studio art techniques and methods in drawing, painting, illustration, sculpture, photography and other areas
  • Engage in intensive reading, writing, studio and field experiences that translate concepts into effective teaching practices
  • Expand your professional studio art portfolio
  • Create a teaching portfolio to complement your job interviews
  • Participate in community-based educational projects
  • Integrate sensory, emotional, kinesthetic and cognitive processes in the exploration of artistic learning

Though successful completion of courses, fieldwork and the PRAXIS examination, you can earn a bachelor's degree and K-12 art teacher certification.

Admission to the B.A. in Art Education with K-12 Art Teaching Certification is competitive and requires application materials in addition to those required by the University. Interested individuals are strongly advised to schedule an appointment with Joseph Amorino, Ed.D., at: jamorino@kean.edu.

Applicants must provide the following (items 1-3 are submitted on Slideroom):

  1. Respond to any questions in Slideroom
  2. An Academic Writing Sample (a formal paper written for an academic course)
  3. An Art Portfolio (Artwork containing 12-15 images, at least eight which demonstrate freehand drawing and painting)
  4. Transcripts/Grade Records from high school or previously attended college (already submitted with general application to the University)
  5. Interview with Program Coordinator upon request

Program Information

B.A. in Art Education

This rigorous psychology-based approach to learning and teaching the visual arts prepares students to earn K-12 art teacher certification.

Other programs you might be interested in

The Classroom and Beyond

At Kean, we believe learning extends far beyond the walls of our classrooms and labs. That's why we encourage you to get involved in clubs and organizations, study abroad at our campus in China or elsewhere, and pursue internships that will advance your career. Find out more.

Kean trolley at Union Station 30 minutes to NYC

30 Minutes from NYC

Take advantage of the many museums, theatres and spaces in the arts capital of the world, right next door.
The Karl and Helen Burger Gallery at Kean University

Galleries

Showcase your talents and experience a rich and diverse program that regularly features student and faculty work across campus galleries.
Research days students at poster presentations. School and Clinical Psychology, LPC Qualification, Medical Technology

Research

Kean students have the chance to conduct research with world-class faculty and present their findings at the annual Kean Research Days event.
Vaughn Eames Building sideview

Kean’s art education program was challenging and exciting. The psychology-based philosophy provided me with a marketable and effective teaching practice, so I'm able to positively help shape my students as dimensional individuals through art."

Michelle Harpster '14, '16 M.A.
Artist | Fine Arts Teacher
Art Education Michelle Harpster '14 '16 M.A. Bound and Restricted

After Kean

Graduates of Kean's art education program do exceptionally well at obtaining employment, and are highly prepared to address the important needs of young people through advancing artistic learning, fostering emotional management, and igniting creative intelligence and problem-solving in a variety of careers including: 

  • Art teacher
  • Arts administrator
  • Museum educator
  • Illustrator
  • Photographer
  • University lecturer
  • Fine artist
  • Museum curator

Immerse yourself in an arts-based career where you can earn a steady salary while surrounded by the creative energy of children, adolescents and art.

Top 30%

Kean alumni are among the highest-paid teachers in the nation

caep logo2 for accreditation

Accreditation

Since 1955, Kean’s College of Education has earned accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Notably, only one-third of the schools that produce teachers in the United States and New Jersey earn this accreditation.

CAEP advances equity and excellence in educator preparation through evidence-based accreditation that assures quality and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning.

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