Entering the field of art education is a two-part process.
The first part is to complete an undergraduate degree in art. The second part is the graduate level Alternative Masters degree, the training program for teacher education that prepares you to meet all of your certification requirements and earn a master’s degree in education. Students completing the Alternative Masters degree earn the M.Ed. with Class A, P-12 (preschool through 12th grade) certification. The advantages of this route to certification are in the breadth and depth of training gained in studio art and art history combined with the Class A certification (and salary scale) earned with a masters degree.
Undergraduate Path
Students planning careers in art education have three undergraduate major options: the Bachelor of Arts in Art (B.A.) and the Bachelor of Science in Art (B.S.) and the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree.
If you earn a B.A. or B.S., you may begin phase 1 of the education sequence during your last undergraduate semester, placing you a semester ahead when you enter the Fifth Year Program.
Graduate-Level Path
Art teachers who are certified at the Bachelor’s level (Class B), and wish to earn the masters degree may apply to the traditional M.Ed. program. Students who wish to teach at the college level normally complete the B.F.A. in preparation for application to a Master of Fine Arts program.
The University of Montevallo does not offer an M.F.A.