School of Education: Undergraduate Programs

Art Education (K-12)
Art Education majors at St. Thomas Aquinas College combine art studio courses with art history providing them the techniques and theoretical practices necessary for the discipline. In cooperation with the School of Education, art students complete coursework in Inclusive Art Education in order to pursue New York State Certification required for teaching.

Through the art department students develop skills through experience in various media leading to an understanding of the practice of art and artistic expression as it exists in a personal, social, cultural and multicultural context. Through specific education and art education courses students learn the nature of human development, and the theory and practice of both education in general, and art education in particular.

This studio based hands-on approach prepares students as artists while they become involved in the "art" of teaching art.

Careers
If you are passionate about art and also want to share this passion with others, this is a choice to consider. As more research exists to support the value of experiential learning, the role of art in education has expanded. Art provides ways for individuals to express personal motivations and feelings but also to engage any subject in a hands-on way. While an Art Education degree prepares students for teaching Kindergarten to 12th grade, it also applies to careers in community centers, museum education, retirement centers and more.