Program Details
Arts with concentration in Art Education, Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Fine ArtsVirginia Commonwealth University
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Arts with a concentration in art education is an approved teacher preparation program that complies with the professional standards of the Virginia Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It is further accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. All of these agencies assure the highest professional program standards. Graduates of the program are eligible for Virginia teacher licensure to teach art in pre-kindergarten through grade 12.
Outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following: Students will develop a professional philosophical position about the relevance and importance of art education. Students will implement/acquire a variety of art instructional strategies that reflect an understanding of the artistic, cognitive, emotional and social development of children, as well as national, state and local curricular standards and assessment techniques, in order to meet the needs of diverse learners. Students will be able to create and adapt learning environments that address the needs of all students. Students will be able to design assessment methods to measure student knowledge and skills, improve student learning and further professional practice. Students will teach art in ways that engage traditional and contemporary artists (diverse in regards to gender, ethnicity, sexual identity, social class and other dimensions of identity). Students will seek internships, service-learning positions and local, national and international experiences that lead to research and deepen engagement with diverse communities.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | This degree requires a full-time student teaching internship in the final semester. |
Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Arts with a concentration in art education has a variety of requirements related to admission, reasonable progress, graes, pre-teacher preparation, teacher prep, continuation in the program, and internships, all of which can be found here: https://bulletin.vcu.edu/undergraduate/arts/art-education/arts-bfa-concentration-art-education/#degreerequirementstext. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Complete courses that are equivalent to VCU's arts foundation (AFO) courses with grades of B or better to then apply to your major. Missing lower-level courses must be taken before beginning the art education courses. You may also want to take general education, human development and other studio art and art history courses available to you.
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | Students will often double major in art history or other studio art areas to further develop their art knowledge. Undergraduate students have opportunities to be art instructors for the department's summer art camp and afterschool programs. |
Program Successes & Highlights | Most art education students get additional experience working at camps, museums, and/or community centers before graduating. Anecdotally, nearly 100% of graduates who pursue careers in art education environments find employment. 100% of Art Education graduates are eligible to get a K-12 art teaching license in Virginia. |
Program Credit Requirements

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements

There are no Applicable Admission Agreements for the Program.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System, Richard Bland College, or the College of Southern Maryland may be eligible to participate in the Guaranteed Admission Agreement. Students with one of these degrees may also be eligible to have the majority of their general education requirements waived. Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. The Uniform Certificate of General Studies is recommended for this degree. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. The Uniform Certificate of General Studies is recommended for this degree. |
Credit for Prior Learning | VCU accepts a variety of types of credit for prior learning, including but not limited to Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), military experience, Cambridge, and industry certifications that are recommended for credit by the American Council on Education or the National College Credit Recommendation Service. |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | VCU is a large, research-driven institution nestled on two campuses in downtown Richmond, Virginia, offering a vast array of degree programs from arts to dental hygiene to engineering to education. VCU students have access to hundreds of student organizations, which is a great way to connect with others whether or not you choose to live in one of our many on-campus residence halls. Take advantage of VCU's location with access to the James River and its park system, internship and job opportunities, community engagement, and interstates to travel to the beach, the mountains, and Washington, D.C.. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://admissions.vcu.edu/apply-to-vcu/undergraduate/transfer/ |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Roanoke College | Bachelor of Arts in Art Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bridgewater College | Art Major - BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Art Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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25-1121.00 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
25-1081.00 | Education Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
25-2022.00 | Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
25-2031.00 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
Cost To Complete
