Visual Arts–All Grades (Art Education) Master of Science for Teachers 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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Virtual Admissions Webinars | September 17 - October 9
Virtual Academic Sessions | October 21 - October 30
On-Campus Open House | November 20
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 |
Featured Work and Profiles
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Making family visitor kits for George Eastman Museum
Students in the visual arts-all grades MST program packaged together tangible props that allow children and families to more deeply engage with exhibits at the world-renowned photography and film...
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Aiding mural creation
MST candidates worked with fourth-graders at Pinnacle School No. 35 to generate ideas for what became a mural at the entrance of their school.
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Community event: art club takeover
The visual arts-all grades MST program partnered with the Rochester City School District to organize a three-day art club takeover.
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Helping the Flower City bloom with creativity
RIT's visual arts-all grades MST program regularly hosts free arts and crafts events for the local community.
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Art teacher by day, artist by night
Mandi Antonucci '04 Learn about the colorful world of Mandi Antonucci '04, high school art teacher in the Batavia City School District.
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From Kiln Room to Classroom
After 20 years as a nationally-exhibiting ceramic artist, Adam Spector called a career audible and enrolled in RIT's MST program to become an art educator.
Read More about From Kiln Room to Classroom
Curriculum for 2025-2026 for Visual Arts–All Grades (Art Education) MST
Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements
Visual Arts - All Grades (Art Education) MST
The curriculum below outlines the typical course sequence(s) for this program.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| ARED-701 | Child Development in Art | 3 |
| ARED-702 | Inclusive Art Education: Teaching Students with Disabilities in the K-12 Art Classroom | 3 |
| ARED-703 | Multicultural Issues in Art and Education | 3 |
| ARED-704 | Methods in Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| ARED-705 | Methods II: Studio Thinking | 3 |
| CAD Studio Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| ARED-711 | Professional Practices in Art Education | 3 |
| ARED-790 | Student Teaching | 9 |
| ARED-890 | Graduate Seminar in Art Education | 6 |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
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CAD Studio Electives are graduate courses offered by CAD that are designated with studio/lab hours in the course description.
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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:
- Complete an online graduate application.
- Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
- Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) is recommended.
- Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.
- Submit two letters of recommendation.
- Entrance exam requirements: None
- Submit a portfolio. View portfolio requirements.
- Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, etc.), if required. Details are below.
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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