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M.A.T. in Art Education

​​​Mission Statement

The mission of the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program in Art Education is to prepare individuals with a strong undergraduate background in art to become certified elementary and secondary art teachers. Successful completion of this program enables graduates to qualify for PK-12 art teacher certification from the Rhode Island Department of Education. The program emphasizes a commitment to the complementary relationships between artistic expression; academic knowledge, understanding, and inquiry; and art teaching. Ultimately, the broad mission of both this M.A.T. program and the M.A. in Art Education program is to further strengthen the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of individuals as art educators and to thereby further strengthen art education practices throughout Rhode Island and beyond our state's borders.

Learning Outcome Statements

Students pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching in Art Education at Rhode Island College will:

  • further strengthen their art knowledge and artmaking skills, building on their foundational art understandings and skills acquired in their undergraduate programs;
  • expand and deepen their understanding of art education theory and curriculum development;
  • enhance their abilities to research content for art instruction and issues related to art education; develop art curricula; and engage in scholarship related to art education;
  • develop competency in their art teaching skills, emphasizing the recursive educational practices of planning, acting, and reflecting on instruction; and
  • further increase their capacities to serve as art education advocates and leaders in the field of art education.

Admission Requirements

  1. A completed online application, accompanied by a $50 nonrefundable application fee. Graduate applications are available online at www.ric.edu/graduatestudies/.
  2. A current résumé outlining educational and work experiences and highlighting experiences with both art and children/youth.
  3. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate records.
  4. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in undergraduate course work.
  5. Two Disposition Reference Forms: one from a faculty or supervisor of a child/youth-related activity and one from a work supervisor.
  6. A written Statement of Educational Philosophy, with scored rubric, following the specific directions provided by the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development (FSEHD).
  7. An interview with the art education graduate program director.
  8. A minimum of 45 credit hours of studio art and art history courses.
  9. A representative portfolio of art work following the Art Education program's guidelines for portfolio submission, available from the art education graduate program coordinator.
  10. Three letters of recommendation attesting to the candidate's potential to do graduate work and potential to be successful in an elementary and/or secondary level art teaching career.
  11. A plan of study approved by the advisor and appropriate dean.

Also, because of the wide variety of MAT programs offered through the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development, please contact Mrs. Dottie Grady at 401-456-8822 or mgrady@ric.edu. Mrs. Grady will review the application process with you and direct you to the appropriate faculty member for more information.

Course Requirements

Outside LinkClick here for course details.

Note: The M.A.T. program in art education is designed for applicants seeking K-through-twelve teacher certification.

Program Coordinator

Rebecca Shipe
Associate Professor
ALEX AND ANI Hall 128
(401) 456-9580
rshipe@ric.edu

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Page last updated: July 08, 2020