Art Education Program Information

Contact:

James Rolling Jr, Department of Art
ComArt Building, 315-443-3700, jrolling@syr.edu

School of Education contacts:
Academic Advisors, 111 Waverly Avenue, Suite 230, 315-443-9319.

College of Visual & Performing Arts contact:
Michele Buza, 200 Crouse College, 315-443-2517

Faculty

Shariff Bey, James Rolling Jr

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree program in art education emphasizes the studio arts as an exploration of the ideas, materials, and aesthetics through which we shape meanings, negotiate identity and organize society. Students will obtain an expertise in the development of arts-based and design-oriented curricula linked to national and New York State learning standards for the visual arts and promoting multi-literacies, inclusivity, critical inquiry and social responsibility.

In this program, students dually enroll in the College of Visual and Performing Arts and the School of Education. Studio arts courses and interdisciplinary electives are encouraged in combination with educational theory and cultural foundations as students prepare to be professional teachers of art. At a minimum, the B.F.A. degree in art education can be earned with the satisfactory completion of 130 credits.

In the junior year of the program, students have the opportunity to teach art lessons to children ages 5 to 15 in weekly workshops that prepare them for student teaching in local schools in their senior year. The Syracuse University Student Art Education Association, a chapter of the National Art Education Association, is open to both undergraduate and graduate students in art education. This organization is dedicated to offering pre-service art teachers, as well as any interested art and pre-service education students, opportunities to enrich their pedagogical practice by facilitating social and networking opportunities for professional development, hosting guest speakers, and promoting and practicing outreach and community service through the arts.

After going through the application process and passing the requisite New York State exams (or state-specific certification exam requirements and other requirements, if you plan to teach in another state), you will be eligible for initial certification as an art teacher in all grades. Career services are available through the School of Education.