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Graduate Program

Student Information Contact
Art Education Program, 112 Masley Hall, (505) 277-4112, arted@unm.edu

Degree Offered

M.A. in Art Education

The graduate program offers course work and experiences leading to a Master of Arts degree in Art Education under Plan I (with a thesis) or Plan II (without a thesis). The M.A. program is oriented toward the development of a professional who has 1) an understanding of the core profession of art education as a humanistic discipline; and 2) a developing specialization in a particular area of personal interest related to art education. Emphasis in this graduate program is given to the humanistic aspects of art and education and to a blending of creative work, research and art pedagogy.

Although the art education program consists of individual faculty with different backgrounds, expertise and philosophies, we tend to agree and emphasize art education foremost as a humanistic profession where the growth and development of the individual is paramount and where the art experience is central to that enterprise.

Requirements for the M.A. Degree
Earning a Master’s degree in art education includes completing at least the following requirements:

1. formation of a graduate faculty committee on studies (including an advisor-chairperson), which helps the student plan a graduate program of studies and conducts the student’s master’s exam;
2. in consultation with the student’s committee on studies, submission of approval a planned program of graduate study (coursework), which is called a Program of Studies;
3. completion of the planned program of studies with at least a “B” average;
   • 3a) Plan 1 candidates only: completion and acceptance of a master’s thesis;
4. passing of a written and oral master’s exam taken in the semester degree requirements are completed;
5. exhibition of at least one art work done during the master’s program in our annual graduating students’ exhibition; and
6. other miscellaneous requirements unique to each student’s program of studies. (See the appropriate section of The University of New Mexico Catalog–“Master’s Degrees”–for general and specific requirements for a Master’s degree)

Program of Study for the M.A. – Non-Licensure
Curriculum for graduate students: Plan I with thesis: minimum 24 hours plus thesis project. Plan II without thesis: minimum 33 hours plus Master’s exam.

Core Courses for all M.A. Students:

3 credits research: Working with an advisor, students choose a 5xx research course.

3 credits social and/or cultural studies: Working with an advisor, students choose a 5xx course that addresses social and cultural ideas.

In consultation with the advisor and committee on studies, students choose 9 credits of course work to support learning in an art education supporting area. For example, students may choose supporting areas such as Art Education and Special Populations, Diversities and Identities, or Imagination and Visual Studies. Students will then choose 9 credits of elective course work to complete their program of studies.

Program of Study for the M.A. – Licensure
A graduate student may elect to attain the M.A. in Art Education with K-12 New Mexico Art Teaching Licensure. This option requires 36 hours of art prerequisites to include 9 hours of art history and 27 hours of studio art to include drawing (6 hours), a non-drawing studio area of focus (9 hours) and studio courses addressing a variety of 2- and 3-D mediums.

In addition to core courses required of all M.A. students (9 credits) and 6 credits of elective course work, M.A. students seeking licensure to take course work for Professional Education for the M.A. in Art Education with Licensure: 33 credits:

* Courses listed in bold above count toward both the M.A. and licensure for students choosing the licensure option.

Minor–Art Education Master’s Level (12)

Students pursuing the M.A. level minor in Art Education will benefit in two ways: They will engage in systematic study guided by an Art Education faculty member, and they will have the 12 hour minor represented on their transcript. It is recommended that M.A. students pursuing the Art Education minor have an Art Education faculty member on their committee.

Application to the M.A. Degree Program

If you are interested in specific information about the Master’s program in art education, request an application packet from the following address:

Art Education Program
Graduate Application
112 Masley Hall–College of Education
MSC05 3040
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001

You may also request a meeting with a faculty advisor by calling 277-4112.

Application Requirements and Materials Needed

Before applying to the Master’s program in art education, an applicant must have the following minimum academic prerequisites:

General Academic Prerequisites. To apply for the art education Master’s degree program an applicant must have

1. a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, which includes at least 24 semester hours combined of art, art history and/or art education course work with at least a “B” average (3.0 GPA); and
2. a 3.0 overall grade point average in the applicant’s last two years of undergraduate work. Applicants must have completed 18 of the required art prerequisites prior to admission. Application to the K–12 ART TEACHING LICENSURE EMPHASIS requires additional prerequisites. Also see the appropriate sections of this University catalog for general prerequisites and application procedures for graduate study at the University of New Mexico.

Application Process

Graduate Admissions
University of New Mexico
P.O. Box 4849
Albuquerque, NM 87196-4849
(505) 277-2447

Art Education Program
MSC05 3040, 112 Masley Hall
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87130-0001
(505) 277-4112

New Applications

1. Send to Office of Admissions (address above)
   • a. Completed and signed Graduate Application form, or apply online, http://ogs.unm.edu (online application for first-time domestic applicants ONLY).
   • b. Residency form.
   • c. $50.00 non-refundable application fee.
   • d. One (1) official transcript from each college you have attended (Exception: UNM transcripts).
2. Send to Art Education Program (address above)
   • a. Letter of Intent.
   • b. Letters (3) of Recommendation.
   • c. Resume.
   • d. Ten (10) slides or photographs artwork or CD.