Applicants for the M.S. degree with a specialization in art and design education should have an undergraduate degree in art, art education, or other related field approved by the School of Art and Design.
Students must complete 30 semester hours in one of the following tracks.
A maximum of 9 semester hours may be taken outside the School of Art and Design. Any program requires the written approval of the major advisor.
Students may complete their 30 semester hours by taking these courses online.
Professional or Educator In-Service: Blended - Track 1
In addition to the requirements for general admission to The Graduate School at NIU, the M.S. in Art and Design Education requires applicants to submit the following:
Additional electives in art education and/or electives in art history, studio art, or related professional courses as approved by the School of Art and Design: Credits: 9
Professional or Educator In-Service: Online - Track 2
For application information, please visit the Online page.
Admission
In addition to the requirements for general admission to The Graduate School at NIU, the M.S. in Art and Design Education requires applicants to submit the following:
Students can take 3 or 6 semester hours in this course.
Educator Licensure
Students with an undergraduate degree must be admitted to the M.S. program in art and design education with a specialization in art and design education to enter the licensure program.
Persons holding a baccalaureate degree may complete requirements for the State of Illinois Standard Special (PK-12) License through the art and design education division of the School of Art and Design as part of the degree program for the M.S. in art and design education with a specialization in art and design education. With advisor approval, graduate-level requirements for licensure can be part of the 30 semester hours required for this specialization. Additional course work is required to complete the master’s degree requirements.
Candidates who successfully complete the program and pass the state mandated Art Content Test will have completed all required ISBE and CAEP standards for receiving university recommendation for licensure.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the requirements for general admission to The Graduate School at NIU, the M.S. in Art and Design Education with Educator Licensure requires applicants to submit the following.
Three letters of recommendation
Candidate statement of professional goals
CV/Resume
Writing sample
Application for graduate assistantship (optional)
Artist Portfolio (for candidates without a B.F.A. in Art from NIU)
Retention
Students must remain in good standing in the Graduate School. In addition students must maintain an average 3.00 GPA or higher, and receive no final grade lower than C in art education methods courses (ARTE 542, ARTE 544, ARTE 545, and ARTE 563).
Admission to Student Teaching
In addition to meeting retention requirements, during the semester prior to student teaching or earlier, students must pass the final portfolio review per the art education division’s portfolio review procedures.
Requirements
Studio and art history courses may be assigned as deficiencies if not taken as part of an undergraduate degree. Subject to approval by the chair of the graduate advisory committee, courses in art history, ceramics, design, drawing, fiber arts, metal work or jewelry, painting, printmaking, and/or sculpture may be taken at the graduate or undergraduate level, in NIU’s School of Art and Design or at other recognized institutions.
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