Master of Arts in Art Education

The Master of Arts in Art Education is a bold summer intensive graduate degree designed to advance the professional careers of artists and educators who are committed to democratizing access to high-quality arts education in various settings that include schools, museums, and galleries, as well as community and cultural organizations.

Leveraging the expertise in creative thought and action at the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP), the Master of Arts in Art Education prepares today's teachers and future educators to address ongoing educational challenges.

The program is designed to be completed in four semesters, encompassing two intensive 4-week on-campus summer sessions that are complemented by online courses. Seeking to accommodate the schedule of teaching professionals, this summer intensive format enables deep engagement with studies during the months when educators are typically not teaching.

The curriculum and related experiences promote student engagement with three core aspects of the program:

MAKING is foundational in art education research and practice. It's a process that involves conceptualizing ideas, creating meaningful art, designing learning experiences, and establishing transformative relationships. Students will have many opportunities to practice making in this program, from creating visual reflections of their own learning experiences, and investigating contemporary and traditional approaches to art-making in studio courses, to connecting artistic and research practices through arts-based research (ABR). These experiences are intended to model current, rich, and in-depth ways to learn about and through the arts.
CONNECTING refers to creating knowledge and establishing strategic partnerships. One of the goals of the program is to enhance students understanding of the possibilities of art education today by expanding knowledge about art opportunities and resources in our community. Students will be encouraged to create new links among ideas, concepts, and art experiences, as well as between organizations and individuals. This process can energize professional practice and have the impact of transforming future art educator careers.
LEADING is the intended outcome of completing this program. The transformational learning, mentorship, and professional community students will experience in this program seek to prepare discerning, strategic, and visionary art educators who will shape future art learning. Leading with creativity and imagination, our graduates are uniquely prepared to harness the power of art to address current issues and promote change.

Unofficial transcripts that indicate at least a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 in art, art education, and related subjects
3 letters of recommendation. Recommenders should be people familiar with your academic and professional abilities. The recommenders you list in your online application will receive information via email about submitting their recommendation letter online. Ask your recommenders to provide the following information:
who they are
their relationship to you
why they think you will succeed in the Graduate Art Education Program at the University of Cincinnati
A current resume
Statement of Intent. Include a statement (up to 500 words) describing the long-term goal to be met by graduate study. Include the following:
a general introduction to your goals for graduate study
introduction to the work in the portfolio
discussion of previous art education experiences
explanation of how you would like to creatively develop in graduate school
your professional and educational interests (e.g., arts-based research, teaching, galleries, leadership, community arts)
whether you are interested in teaching while in graduate school
What Art Education faculty do you want to work with and why?
Flavia Bastos
Vittoria Daiello
Kristopher Holland
Portfolio in a single PDF file:
Twenty (20) images or a URL to your portfolio,
Portfolio Image List. Include the title of work, date of work, dimensions, and materials.
Samples of writing. May include poetry, prose, fiction, non-fiction, plays, graphic novels, professional writing, and other genres, including research reports, blogs, and art criticism.

The following exams and minimum scores are accepted as proof of English proficiency -
TOEFL minimum score of 80 iBT
In-person and at-home online exam scores accepted TOEFL Essentials and My Best Test scores are not accepted.
IELTS minimum score of 6.5 overall band.
In-person and at-home online exam scores accepted.
PTE minimum score of 54.