2011-2012 University Catalog 
  
2011-2012 University Catalog

Art Education Licensure Certificate


Banner Code: AR-CERG-ARTL

Following this curriculum does not guarantee entry into the Master of Art Teaching (MAT) Program.  Prospective MAT students must meet all MAT admissions requirements as described in the catalog.

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the general university admission requirements, admission to the licensure program is contingent on completion of a BFA, BA in art or approved equivalent along with a minimum 3.00 cumulative undergraduate GPA.  Eligibility for the Art Education Licensure Certificate program may demand additional course work to establish proficiency in visual arts.  Students will be required to satisfy the required state endorsement courses prior to student teaching.

Applications will be accepted for fall and spring semesters.  The deadline for receipt of application materials is October 1 for Spring and April 1 for Fall.  Each applicant must provide the following materials:

  • Completed application form
  • Certified copies of all undergraduate transcripts and any graduate transcripts
  • Statement of intent and professional goals for entering the field
  • Three letters of reference from faculty members or individuals who have firsthand knowledge of the applicant’s academic or professional capabilities
  • Official passing score on Praxis I or SAT equivalent
  • TOEFL score, if required by Mason policies
  • Portfolio of 15-20 images that reflect artistic breadth and depth, including drawing skills of the applicant’s art.  The work should be in Power Point format on a Mac-compatible CD.  All portfolios must include a written image sheet with the corresponding number, title, date, medium, and size of each work.  Incomplete portfolios will not be considered.  Applicants’ portfolio items are considered part of the application for admission and, thus, cannot be returned.  Please do not send original materials.

The portfolio and all other application materials should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions.  Qualified applicants will be invited to an on-campus interview, portfolio review of original art works, and in-person writing sample.

Diversity among students is another consideration for acceptance into the program.  Applicants with degrees in areas other than art are welcome, although they may be required to complete undergraduare core, and studio and art history courses.

The Art Education Licensure Certificate is a post-baccalaureate program designed for those who currently hold a graduate degree in an art-related field along with those who want a more immediate entrance into the art teaching profession.  This “licensure only” program, which results in a pre K-12 art certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a 21 credit program consisting of graduate education courses, are endorsements, student teaching internships and seminate.  There is a MAT Graduate Degree option with an additional 9 graduate credits.

Certificate Requirements


Total: 21 credits


 All Licensure Certificate students will receive ongoing evaluations by the art education faculty to determine their readiness for student teaching.

In addition, applicants who did not take equivalent undergraduate courses will be required to take

 , art education endorsements plus any additional studio or art history course work to meet Virginia licensure requirements.