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Art Education PreK-12 (BA) Program Overview

If you love to express yourself visually and have a desire to share that passion with children, an art education degree prepares you for a career serving others. As an art education major, you’ll receive a firm foundation in painting, ceramics, drawing, photography, and graphic design to build a strong portfolio and find your artistic voice. Required education courses prepare you to work with students of all backgrounds. Passionate faculty nurture your growth as an artist and a teacher each step of the way.

One-on-One Training

Our art education students enjoy small class sizes and one-on-one mentoring in the classroom. The retro Donald and Maria Cox Visual Arts Building provides light-filled studios to inspire your creativity. Rigorous art and education coursework prepare you to pass the Praxis exams for teacher licensure to begin your teaching career after graduation.

If you’re ready to join the art education program at Bluefield University, complete the request information form to take the first step in becoming an art teacher in Virginia.

The Academic Catalog is the student guide to all policies and procedures for Bluefield University.

The Teacher Education Handbook is the guide to all of the policies and procedures for students entering the Teacher Education Program (TEP).

The Student Teaching Handbook is the primary resource for all students in the culminating experience for the Teacher Education Program (TEP).

On-Campus: August 17, 2022

On-Campus Tuition & Fees

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Courses & Requirements:

General Education & Degree Requirements

Bachelor's Degree (BA)
General Education (58 Credits)

General Education requirements may be fulfilled in more specific courses for certain majors

  • Invitation to Inquiry
  • Character Formation
  • Civic & Global Response
  • Personal Wellness & Activity
  • Intro to the Writing Process (3 Credits)
  • Argumentative & Analytical Writing (3 Credits)
  • Biblical Perspectives (3 Credits)
  • Survey of American History I or II (3 Credits)
  • World Civilizations I or II (3 Credits)
  • 2000 Level Literature Course (3 Credits)
  • 2 Beginning Level Modern Language Courses (6 Credits)
  • 2 Intermediate Level Modern Language Courses (6 Credits)
  • Macroeconomics (3 Credits)
  • College Algebra (or higher) (3 Credits)
  • Introduction to Psychology (3 Credits)
  • Art Appreciation (3 Credits)
  • Fundamentals of Speech (3 Credits)
  • (Choose 1)
    • Human Biology & Lab (4 Credits)
    • General Biology & Lab (4 Credits)
    • Intro to the Physical Sciences & Lab (4 Credits)
    • General Chemistry & Lab (4 Credits)
Endorsement Area (45 Credits)
  • Drawing Fundamentals
  • Design Problems
  • Figure Drawing
  • Printmaking I
  • Painting I
  • Ceramics Hand-Building
  • Studies in Modern Art
  • Photography
  • Painting II
  • Ceramics on the Wheel
  • Intro to Graphic Design (Photoshop & Illustrator)
  • Advanced Painting/Drawing
  • Advanced Ceramics
  • Portfolio Presentation
  • Contemporary Art History & Criticism
Professional Education (17 Credits)
  • Human Growth & Development for Educators
  • Foundations of Education
  • Intro to Instructional Media & Technology
  • Curriculum, Assessment & Instruction in Secondary Schools
  • Intro to the Exceptional Child
  • Teaching Reading in the Content Area
Field Experiences (15 Credits)
  • Dynamic Learning Environments
    • (Must be taken prior to Student Teaching)
  • Student Teaching
    • (Taken in the final semester)
Required Testing (2 Tests)
  • Virginia Communication & Literacy Assessment
  • PRAXIS II Art: Content Knowledge (158 or greater)
Total Credits: 135

Career opportunities available to graduates of this program include:

PreK-5 Art Teacher
6-12 Art Teacher
Museum Educator
Arts Administrator
Community Arts Organizer

Do I only apply once?

  • No. Students must apply each academic year for the fall semester and submit the necessary documents.

Do I have to take the classes specified in the Associate's Degree tracks as they are listed on the information sheet?

  • No. Students may take any of the courses that are offered in a given term.

Where do I find the textbook listing, and where do I purchase the books?

  • Log in to myBU, and under the "Student" tab, you will find a list of the textbooks required (if any) for each course. Students are responsible for purchasing their own textbooks.

How long is a semester?

  • Our semesters are divided into two 8-week terms.

Is there an orientation?

  • Yes. Students can attend an orientation session that explains how to access courses, how to register for classes, and answers other questions.

Where can I find a course description?

Does the student need to take the SAT or ACT in order to take Dual Enrollment classes?

  • No. If a student decides to study at BU full time, BU is currently test-optional for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle.

Are the classes live? Do students need to log in and participate at certain times?

  • Classes are offered online, so a student can log-on and study at their convenience and their own pace. Students have assignments due each week; you can complete your assignments at any point in time before the deadline.

Does an Early College student need to come to campus for anything?

  • No. However, we would love to have you visit our campus if you are interested in continuing with traditional on-campus study. Students who complete their associate's degree have the option to walk at our commencement ceremony.

Are Early College students able to receive Financial Aid?

  • No. However, Early College courses are very affordable compared to other options. The cost for an online Dual Enrollment course is $100 per credit hour.

How do transferring credits work?

  • Each College or University completes a transcript review in order to decide which courses transfer. Sticking to general education classes generally makes transferring credits simple. All Early College courses at Bluefield University are general education classes that should transfer to another accredited institution.

Is an Early College student considered, and treated, as a transfer student when they become a full-time college student if they have earned enough credits to be a Junior?

  • No. Since they have not graduated from high school, they are considered a first-time college student regardless of how many credits transfer. However, by transferring credits when they enroll as a full-time student, they will have to take fewer classes to receive their bachelor's degree, which shortens the length of time to earn the degree.

Can I speak to someone if I have more questions?

  • Yes. Please contact the Office of Admissions by email or you can call them at 276.326.4231