2012-2013 University Catalog
Art Education, MAT
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Banner Code: AR-MAT-ARTE
Phone: 703-993-8562
Web: arteducation.gmu.edu
Graduate Program
The School of Art offers a Master of Arts in Teaching in Art Education for BFA students and a concentration for licensed art teachers.
The Master of Arts in Teaching in Art Education is a preservice degree program that prepares students with a BFA degree or equivalent for PreK-12 art licensure by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Using a studio-based approach to art education and working closely with area public school systems, the MAT degree consists of 30 credits of graduate art education, school practicum experience, studio work, and preservice teaching internship and seminar.
The concentration for licensed art teachers is designed for PreK-12 licensed art teachers who currently hold an undergraduate degree in art education and are interested in obtaining a graduate art education degree for further professional development. Students take graduate art education courses, approved AVT 500 level graduate studio art courses, education courses, and a capstone project.
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the general university admission requirements for graduate study, admission to this program is contingent on completion of a BFA in art or approved equivalent. Also, candidates must have a minimum 3.00 cumulative undergraduate GPA. Eligibility for the MAT in Art Education Program may demand additional course work to establish proficiency in visual arts. Students lacking a strong background in the visual arts or pedagogy will be required to satisfy prerequisite courses prior to the required graduate courses.
Students interested in pursuing the degree with the concentration for licensed art teachers must meet the above with the following exceptions: admission is contingent upon the completion of a BFA or BA in art or art education with a minimum 3.00 cumulative undergraduate GPA, maintaining a current PreK-12 license to teach art education with at least one or more years of art teaching experience and official passing scores on Praxis I (or SAT equivalent) and Praxis II. (Exceptions to the Praxis scores will be determined on a case-by-case basis.)
Applications will be accepted for fall and spring semesters. The deadline for receipt of application materials is October 1 and March 1. Each applicant must provide the following materials:
- Completed application form
- Certified copies of all undergraduate transcripts and any graduate transcripts
- Statement of intent and professional goals for entering the field
- Three letters of reference from faculty members or individuals who have firsthand knowledge of the applicant’s academic or professional capabilities
- Official score on Praxis I or SAT equivalent (and Praxis II for those who apply to pursue the concentration for licensed art teachers)
- TOEFL score, if required by Mason policies
- Portfolio Requirement*:
- MAT (for BFA students) portfolio must include 15 to 20 images that reflect artistic breadth and depth, including drawing skills of the applicant’s art.
- MAT with concentration for licensed art teachers portfolio must include 10 images of the applicant’s personal art that reflect artistic breadth and depth, including drawing skills, along with 10 student art works displaying a variety of 2-D and 3-D media. Student artwork is to be accompanied by a brief description of the lesson content.
*These works must be presented in Power Point format on a Mac-compatible CD. All portfolios must include a written image sheet with the corresponding number, title, date, medium, and size of each work. Incomplete portfolios will not be considered. Applicants’ CD portfolios are considered part of the application for admission and, thus, cannot be returned. Please do not send original materials.
The portfolio and all other application materials should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Qualified applicants will be invited to an on-campus interview. Portfolio review of original art works, and in-person writing sample are required for MAT (BFA student) applicants.
Diversity among students is another consideration for acceptance into the program. Applicants with degrees in areas other than art are welcome, although they may be required to complete undergraduate core, studio, and art history courses.
MAT matriculates who earned a BFA at an institution other than Mason may be required to take additional undergraduate credits as post baccalaureate core requirements before acceptance into the program. Without equivalent courses, they will be required to take two BFA foundational courses in art education and education: AVT 493 and 494.
In addition, applicants who did not take equivalent undergraduate courses must also take AVT 180 Computers in the Creative Arts, plus any additional studio or art history course work to meet Virginia licensure requirements.
Academic Policies
Please see College of Visual and Performing Arts academic policies. |