Art Education, M.A.

Director: Ann Horton-Lopez

Program Description

The M.A.: Art Education program is intended to serve as an extension of the established undergraduate art education program and provide individualization of instruction and program offerings beyond the baccalaureate for those individuals who wish to pursue a higher level of achievement in their chosen field.

The Masters of Arts in Art Education program will extend the NCDPI competencies currently required for initial Standard Professional I licensure by extending the art educator’s knowledge base and competencies by analytically reading art education professional literature, analyzing and discussing art education publications, theories, current practices in education and research. The program will extend the educator’s competencies through self-reflection and self evaluation of planning skills, computer competencies, as well as through advance study of curriculum content, methods of organizing for instruction, materials, the classroom environment, and knowledge of the students and their needs. With this additional knowledge and experience, the art teacher will be prepared to take the role of a collaborative leader and the responsibilities for guiding colleagues in their planning.

Program Goals

The goals and objectives of the Art Education graduate program reflect a clear conception of the roles and responsibilities of master teachers in art education. The graduate students will accomplish the following goals and objectives of the UNCP M.A.: Art Education Program:

1. Professional Educational Growth and Instructional Mastery:

Analytically reads art education professional literature;

Analyzes and discusses art education philosophies, theories, current practices, and research findings;

Designs and applies coherent, rigorous and consistent instruction based on theoretical, philosophical and research-based information to improve student learning;

Incorporates research findings into curriculum development and classroom instructional strategies to improve student learning;

Add to their current knowledge base and competencies to integrate content information from other disciplines with art education and art history;

2. Knowledge of Students and their Environment:

Develops an advanced knowledge of child development in art;

Creates a classroom environment that promotes understanding, acceptance and respect for all students;

Demonstrates appropriate depth and breadth of knowledge of the learner, learning process, diverse learning styles and abilities, and evaluation procedures.

Creates a classroom environment that promotes success for all students;

Seeks art activities to increase understanding of diverse cultures/people;

Modifies instruction to meet the needs of challenged, exceptional and diverse learners;

Analyzes, diagnoses, and prescribes instruction that furthers student learning.

3. Appropriate Research Experiences:

Enriches their skills in data gathering, diagnosis, and prescription to employ methods to improve instruction and student achievement.

Analyzes educational problems and suggests appropriate adjustments based on data gathering, analysis, and conclusion.

Adapts instruction and learning environments based on evaluation of student learning problems and successes.

Monitors the effects of instructions, learning environments, adaptations and materials for students’ learning and actions.

Studies appropriate research methodologies, trends and issues, research and selected readings in art education, research procedures in art education, and areas needing further research;

4. Linking Art Education to the Learners’ Needs.

Ability to apply research data to practical life experiences to enhance classroom performance;

Teaching of reading and writing in art education and in content areas, when integrated with the visual arts;

Exhibits advanced knowledge in art education as defined by the State of North Carolina course of study;

Uses technology to create learning environments that encourage and support students’ learning;

Demonstrates initiative in linking subject matter to students’ knowledge and experiences.

Exhibits advance methods of preparation, implementation and evaluation of instruction for student’s diverse learning needs.

Searches, promotes, uses, and evaluates the best teaching practices for each course taught;

Regards the variation between learning behaviors and results expected in communities having varying differences;

5. Professional Development and Leadership:

Uses technology to improve and promote the interest of teaching and other professional activities;

Keeps abreast of developments in art education and issues related to teaching;

Demonstrates initiative in inquiry and seeks to apply exemplary methods for improvement of the curriculum and educational setting;

Demonstrates commitment by participation in professional activities and provides leadership to colleagues and communities through collaboration;

Takes advantage of opportunities to share ideas and learn from colleagues, educators and parents for enhancement of students’ education;

Works jointly with others in the collective role of leadership and mentorship activities to solve educational problems in the classroom, school system, and community.