COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science in Teaching (MST) in Visual Arts–All Grades (Art Education) at RIT is a 36-credit accelerated graduate program designed to prepare students for certification as K–12 visual arts educators while strengthening their own artistic practice and pedagogical expertise through intensive coursework and field-based teaching experience. In the first semester, students take foundational education courses including Child Development in Art, which explores how children’s cognitive and creative abilities develop in relation to visual expression, Inclusive Art Education: Teaching Students with Disabilities in the K–12 Art Classroom, which focuses on adapting instruction for diverse learners and accessibility in art education, and Multicultural Issues in Art and Education, which examines cultural diversity and representation in artistic learning environments. They also complete Methods in Teaching and Learning and Methods II: Studio Thinking, which emphasize instructional strategies, curriculum design, and studio-based learning approaches that integrate making, thinking, and reflecting in art education. A CAD Studio Elective further supports students’ continued development of personal artistic practice. In the spring semester, students take Professional Practices in Art Education, which prepares them for real-world teaching responsibilities such as lesson planning, assessment, and classroom management. The most significant component of the program is Student Teaching, where students spend extensive time in K–12 classrooms applying their knowledge in real instructional settings under supervision, gaining hands-on teaching experience and professional readiness. The program concludes with a Graduate Seminar in Art Education, which supports reflection, professional development, and synthesis of teaching practice and theory. Overall, the curriculum is designed to ensure graduates are fully prepared for teacher certification and careers as visual arts educators, curriculum developers, and instructional leaders in schools and educational institutions, while maintaining strong engagement with their own artistic growth and creative practice.