Visual Arts–All Grades (Art Education) Master of Science for Teachers Degree

An art education master's degree that sharpens your artistic abilities as you prepare to teach the next generation of artists and creators.


100%

Outcomes Rate of RIT Graduates from this degree


Overview for Visual Arts–All Grades (Art Education) MST

When does an artist become a teacher? The MST in visual arts-all grades (art education) prepares you to teach the next generation of artists and to create art experiences while honing your own artistic skills.

An Accelerated Visual Arts Education Program

RIT's art education master's degree is an accelerated visual arts education program. You will get a year of hands-on experience that will heavily mirror your life as an art educator. The program prepares you for a teaching career by embedding certifications and job placement support right into the curriculum. You will work with regional schools to find the best fit for your personality, talents, and teaching goals.

RIT's Art Education Master's Degree

In the MST degree, you'll complete course work in:

  • child development in art and education,
  • differentiated learning techniques for effective instruction in the diverse learning needs of all students,
  • a range of perspectives on multicultural issues in the visual arts and education fields,
  • the process of teaching art in the school classroom, including curriculum development and student assessment, and
  • explore a range of perspectives on contemporary theories in art and education.

In addition, you will complete a student teaching practicum designed to provide you with in-depth pedagogical experiences, real-world challenges, and rich learning opportunities.

RIT’s art education master’s degree leads to Initial/Professional New York State certification in visual arts for PK through 12th grades. This certification allows applicants to teach in New York State public schools and most other states through reciprocal agreements. The program features pedagogical studies, studio inquiry, clinical fieldwork, and community partnerships. The MST program prepares candidates to meet the national, state, and regional needs of teachers of the visual arts. Curriculum and experiential learning are designed to provide candidates opportunities to teach effectively with positive impacts on diverse PK through 12 grade student learning and development, through the application of content knowledge, foundational pedagogical skills, and technology integration. The program is nationally accredited and is for candidates who hold a BFA or BA in an area of art (studio, design, new media, or photography majors). Graduates of the last three MST classes have a 97 percent pass rate on the New York State Department of Education certification examinations, initial certification, and job outcome rates.

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Careers and Salary Info

Typical Job Titles

Art Teacher Art Instructor Art Specialist
Art Professor Arts and Crafts Instructor Arts Administrator
Education Director Visual Arts Educator

Post-Graduation Salary and Career Info for Visual Arts–All Grades (Art Education) MST

Featured Work and Profiles

Curriculum for 2025-2026 for Visual Arts–All Grades (Art Education) MST

Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements

Admissions and Financial Aid

This program is available on-campus only.

Offered Admit Term(s) Application Deadline STEM Designated
Full‑time Fall Rolling No
Part‑time Fall Rolling No

Full-time study is 9+ semester credit hours. Part-time study is 1‑8 semester credit hours. International students requiring a visa to study at the RIT Rochester campus must study full‑time.

Application Details

To be considered for admission to the Visual Arts–All Grades (Art Education) MST program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

English Language Test Scores

International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver.

Duolingo (DET): 120

IELTS: 6.5

LanguageCert Academic: 70

PTE Academic: 56

TOEFL: 79

International students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Deaf and hard-of-hearing test takers with significant hearing loss do not need to take the listening and speaking sections for the TOEFL and IELTS. Each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses.

How to Apply Start or Manage Your Application

Cost and Financial Aid

An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method. View the general cost of attendance or estimate the cost of your graduate degree.

A combination of sources can help fund your graduate degree. Learn how to fund your degree

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