Graduate: MAE, MAE+L
Description
The Master of Art Education degree offers two specific tracks. The first track is for teachers who are already licensed and who wish to deepen their understanding of Art Education. The second track is for people who hold a BA, BFA, or related degree and who wish to earn both a master’s degree in Art Education and a teaching license at the same time.
The program includes required and elective courses and allows students to pursue their areas of interest. All students are expected to work at a high level of independence, be self-motivated, respect peers and instructors, and participate in the opportunities that the Art Education department and the School of the Arts offer. With the assistance of the adviser, the MAE student determines a viable structure for the content and sequence of a program of graduate studies. Such a program can utilize the collective expertise of the art education faculty as well as appropriate community resources. Graduate course work, therefore, could include both on-campus and off-campus involvement.
Opportunities for personal growth through the MAE Program also include the rich resources of other graduate departments in the university in the visual and performing arts, education (including supervision, administration, and special areas), the natural and social sciences, and the humanities. Alternative approaches to traditional thesis methods are also encouraged within the program.
Click here to view the complete curriculum requirements:
http://www.pubapps.vcu.edu/bulletins/prog_search/?did=20148
Admissions
To be eligible to apply for the MAE program, students must have completed an undergraduate degree in art, art education, or a related field with a minimum of 36 semester hour credits in studio art and art history. International students must meet the requirements set forth by VCU’s Office of International Admissions .
There are two tracks in the MAE program. One is designed for practicing art teachers. The other track allows students to earn both the MAE degree and teacher licensure at the same time. Be sure to indicate in your personal statement which track you would like to pursue.
Requirements
The deadline is January 15 of each year for fall entry. If January 15 is a weekend, the applications are due the following Monday. All materials must be received by this date for full consideration.
Students applying to the MAE program must meet the following criteria:
* An undergraduate GPA of at least 2.7 (3.0 preferred)
* 36 undergraduate credit hours of art and art history coursework
* An undergraduate degree in art education, studio art, art history, or a related field
Application
VCU only accepts online graduate applications. There are two parts to the Graduate application process: You will first apply to the University Graduate School. On the last page of the University Graduate School application you will be directed to the VCUarts Additional Requirements page. Under section 2, select Art Education- MAE to view departmental application requirements.
To apply, visit the following link to the School of the Arts website:
http://www.vcu.edu/arts/prospective_students/graduate_studies/index.shtml
Program Sequence
Complete applications are due January 15 of each year for entry in the following fall. We encourage all students to complete the online application process. Students may transfer a maximum of 6 credits taken elsewhere or at VCU before admission to the MAE program.
Course of Study
Working with her/his adviser, students follow the designated course of study, either MAE or MAE + Licensure (click for PDF files).
Remember that to be in good standing with the Graduate School, you must take at least one course every year before entering the candidacy phase of the degree. If you do not follow this requirement, your admission to the Graduate School will be terminated and you will need to re-apply.
Per the requirements of the Graduate School at VCU, all graduate students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA in all of their coursework. If a student receives a grade lower than a 'B', s/he can be dismissed from the program.
Candidacy
After taking ARTE 690 and completing at least 9, but no more than 18 credits, all students must apply for degree candidacy. The candidacy exam takes the form of the submission of a student’s proposal for a thesis and the completed candidacy form. After a students has passed the candidacy exam, s/he is required to follow the Graduate School policy on Continuous Enrollment that states that a student must be enrolled for at least 1 credit every semester after entering degree candidacy.
Thesis/Thesis project/Comprehensive exam
Toward the end of regular coursework and in consultation with their adviser, all students must decide if they will be completing a thesis, thesis project, or a comprehensive exam.. If a student chooses a thesis or thesis project, s/he will enroll in at least 6 credits of thesis writing with her/his adviser over the course of at least 2 semesters. If a student chooses the comprehensive exam option, s/he must take 2 additional Art Education courses (not electives) and complete the comprehensive exam.
If a thesis or thesis project involves human beings in the research, you will need to complete VCU’s IRB process before collecting any data. This is outlined on the website of VCU’s Office of Research. Please consult your adviser for additional details. Failure to follow the IRB process will result in your not being able to use your data for your thesis and may have other significant consequences.
Graduation
Within the first two weeks of the semester in which you plan to graduate, you must submit your graduation application forms to the Graduate Programs Director in the Department of Art Education. You must be close to completing your thesis, thesis project, or comprehensive exam as well as all of your coursework. Make sure you are registered for at least 1 credit in the semester in which you intend to graduate. Final thesis and thesis project documents are due (with all necessary signatures) approximately 2 weeks before graduation each semester. If you miss this deadline, you will not be able to graduate. Consult the VCU Academic Calendar for the exact dates for each semester.
Schedule of Classes + Courses
http://www.pubapps.vcu.edu/scheduleofclasses/
http://www.pubapps.vcu.edu/vcucourses/
Expectations
Expectations of graduate students working to attain advanced degrees in School of the Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University are high, reflecting the quality expected of one of the top art schools in the country.
* Successful graduate students maintain membership in professional organizations and make formal and informal conference presentations through VAEA (http://vaea.org/) and NAEA (http://www.naea-reston.org/olc/pub/NAEA/home/) conventions. Travel and research support may be available though the School of the Arts http://www.vcu.edu/arts/research/graduate_travel_grant.shtml
* Successful graduate students are expected to conduct meaningful and applicable research that is worthy of publication.
* Successful VCU art education graduate students are expected to be aware of current research issues and trends in art and education.
* Successful graduate students are expected to understand, respect, and meet the requirements of the program. Graduate students are responsible for knowing and following all the policies of the VCU Graduate School as explained in the bulletin. http://www.pubapps.vcu.edu/bulletins/graduate/
FAQ
Can I apply to the program if I do not have teaching experience?
Yes, you are welcome to apply to the program even if you have never taught. All students who do not have a teaching license will be required to earn one through the coursework you take. Please note that earning the MAE + licensure will take longer than the MAE degree.
Can I switch between the two degree tracks?
No. You are admitted to a specific degree track based upon your qualifications. In order to earn your MAE degree, you need to complete all the requirement for the degree track into which you were admitted.
Can I apply to the program if I do not have a degree in art education, art, or art history?
To be considered for the program, applicants must have 36 undergraduate credits of studio art and art history. If you do not have these credits, you may enroll at VCU or another university to earn the pre-requisites as a non-degree student. When you have completed (or are in your final semester) of earning these credits, you are welcome to apply to the MAE program. There are no exceptions made to this rule.
How long will this degree take to complete?
The length of time needed to complete the degree depends on how many courses you take each semester and the time taken to conduct research and complete a thesis. Full time students who take 9-12 hours per semester and hours in the summer may expect to complete their degree in 2 years. A part time student who takes one course (3 hours) a semester and possibly two courses (6 hours) in the summer may expect to graduate in three full years. Students must complete the degree within five years.
How many credit hours may I transfer from another university? From VCU (taken prior to applying to a program)? And how do I do this?
A TOTAL of 6 credit hours may be transferred into the program from another university or from courses taken at VCU prior to applying to the program. Only 6 total credit hours may be transferred. Those credit hours must not be older than 7 years at the time of graduation from the MAE program. To transfer credit hours, students must submit an official transcript to the Gradute Program Director and a copy of syllabi from the courses taken or a description of the work completed in those courses. The Graduate Programs Committee will review the courses and make a decision.
What are the thesis options?
A traditional thesis involves a formal research study grounded in art and education theory and analyzed through a chosen research methodology. In addition to fulfilling the student's interests and needs, a thesis must also be designed to contribute to the field of art education. A thesis fully explores a question important to art education by gathering information (data) and reaching a conclusion. A formal research study might involve quantitative (such as an experiment) or qualitative inquiry (such as a case study) that serves existing or proposed practice. A project approach to the thesis requires a written component similar to a traditional thesis. For example, a curriculum model may be developed and analyzed. In lieu of the thesis, students may take a comprehensive exam which involves your written responses to questions formulated by your committee. All thesis options require an oral exam review. See Graduate School Thesis Guide.
How long do I have to complete the MAE degree?
University rules limit students to a 5-year time frame for the degree.
I teach school everyday. Is it possible to pursue this degree off-campus?
The Art Education courses for your degree must be taken through the Richmond campus of VCU. At times, classes may be offered online or during the summer. Students may take some approved elective courses through the Office of Community Programs. These are the off-campus studio art courses. Talk to your adviser for more information.
How many courses or credit hours must I take each semester?
University policy states that a student must be enrolled for 1 course per year before candidacy and 1 credit per semester after admission to candidacy.
I would like to teach studio art at the college level. Is the MAE the right degree for me?
If you are interested in teaching studio art at the college level, you should pursue the MFA degree. Please contact the various departments in the School of the Arts for their specific requirements with regard to the MFA.
How many people do I need to have on my committee?
Students must have an adviser and 2 additional committee members. Students must formalize their committee before they apply for candidacy.
