Art Education at TCU

The TCU Art Education program is structured for artists who want to make and teach art.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education prepares majors to competently instruct art to children in grades Kindergarten through Twelfth. It is a dynamic program, emphasizing the integration of art education theory and practice. The art education major takes courses in studio art, art history, and education. Art education courses enable majors to understand how all of the content areas of their program come to bear on their practice in an elementary and secondary art classroom. Each art education course includes a field component, where majors spend time observing and teaching in an elementary or a secondary art classroom.
 
Art education majors receive instruction from professional artists in their studio courses. In consultation with art education and studio faculty, majors choose a studio area of emphasis (such as ceramics, painting, photography, printmaking or sculpture) and complete twelve hours of upper level coursework in that area. This enables majors to gain a greater understanding of the artistic process and develop an area of expertise.   
 
A primary strength of the art education program is its emphasis upon building networks of resources. Art education majors begin meeting and working with local art educators and community arts organizations in their first art education course. They learn about the art education related careers of museum education and art therapy, and they explore the many vocational options that exist for art educators. These experiences, coupled with the regular advisement of art education faculty, provide majors the opportunity to clearly define their needs, interests and strengths as  future art teachers.
 
TCU maintains an active student chapter of the Texas Art Education Association.  Members attend state conferences, complete service projects with local art organizations and schools and offer art related workshops for the TCU community.
 
For more information, contact Dr. Amanda Allison.
Art Education Degree Plan