Becoming an Art Teacher: A Comprehensive Guide to Diploma Requirements and Career Paths

Do you enjoy the arts, culture, and expressing yourself through visual mediums? Teaching art can be a rewarding, exciting, and long-lasting career. Many people are interested in teaching Art but feel overwhelmed by the process of becoming a certified teacher. This article will discuss what Art teachers do, how to become certified, and the skills you’ll need to be a successful teacher.

What Art Teachers Do

An art teacher is a specialized instructor who teaches various art-related skills and topics such as drawing, painting, color theory, art history, and art appreciation. Art teachers can work in elementary, middle, or high schools. At the middle and high school levels, Art teachers sometimes teach more specialized courses such as photography, sculpture, graphic design, or other art-related skills. Art teachers use state or district standards to plan and teach engaging and practical lessons. An art teacher’s job description also involves using appropriate assessment strategies to evaluate their students’ progress.

Art teachers play a crucial role in developing students' creativity, technical skills, and appreciation for artistic expression. They work across various educational levels, from elementary schools to colleges, and adapt their teaching to different age groups and skill levels. With 57,055 art teachers across all education levels in the US, they serve as both educators and mentors, fostering artistic growth in their students.

Teach artistic techniques and principles. Art teachers instruct students in drawing, painting, sculpture, digital media, and other art forms while emphasizing fundamental techniques and creative problem-solving.
Develop lesson plans and curricula. They create structured learning experiences that align with educational standards and cater to students' developmental levels and abilities.
Assess student work and provide feedback. Art teachers evaluate student projects based on creativity, technique, and effort, offering constructive critiques to help students improve their skills.
Encourage creative thinking and self-expression. They guide students in exploring personal and cultural themes through art, helping them develop unique styles and artistic voices.
Manage classroom materials and resources. Art teachers oversee supplies, maintain a safe studio environment, and ensure students learn proper handling of tools and materials.

Beyond these responsibilities, art teachers also contribute to school culture by organizing exhibitions, collaborating with other educators, and inspiring students to pursue careers in the arts.

Skills Needed to Succeed

Teaching Art can be a rewarding, exciting, and long-lasting career. Several key skills are essential for success in this field:

Read also: Becoming an Art Teacher

Effective communication: Art teachers must communicate not only with students but also with other teachers, administrators, and parents.
Creativity: Chances are, if you’re considering an art career, you are already a creative individual.
Patience: Patience is a crucial trait for teachers of any subject or grade level.
Organization: Art teachers see many students daily. Some Art teachers at the elementary level may see every student for a week.
Collaboration: Art teachers often collaborate with teachers of other subjects to plan interdisciplinary units or projects.
Passion for Art: Above all else, Art teachers should have a contagious passion for the topics and skills they teach.

Educational Paths and Certification

To become a certified Art teacher, a bachelor’s degree is required. Many Art teachers choose to major in Art, Education, or an Art-related field. An educator preparation program includes courses specific to education and field experience in the classroom. Many colleges offer educator preparation programs.

The Typical Path

Earn a bachelor’s degree in art education (a Bachelor of Fine Arts-BFA) that includes a state-approved teacher preparation program.
Complete a student teaching internship at the grade level(s) you wish to teach.
Pass your state’s required tests for art teachers.
Apply for your teaching certificate (may not be required at private schools).
Begin applying to open art teacher positions.

Many states offer a K-12 certification in art that can lead to a career in teaching art from the elementary level through high school. Prospective art teachers may also decide to focus on art education at a specific grade level, such as middle school or high school. Prospective art teachers at the primary level typically pursue a bachelor’s in education while secondary art teachers typically obtain a bachelor’s in art or art history.

On any of these pathways, students in bachelor’s degree programs can expect to take two years of general education courses, as well as art courses. After being admitted to the teacher preparation program at their university, which typically happens in the junior year, students will begin taking courses on methods of teaching specific to the grades they wish to teach. After passing the state tests for teacher certification and completing observations and student teaching, a graduate will be eligible to obtain state teacher certification.

Alternative Paths to Certification

For those who already have a bachelor’s degree in art but did not complete an approved teacher preparation program, there are also alternative paths to teacher certification in most states. Earning a master’s degree that includes a teacher preparation component is another common path to initial teacher licensure.

Degrees You Need

Art teachers typically need a degree in education, art education, or fine arts, depending on the level they wish to teach. Postsecondary positions often require advanced degrees, with O*NET Online reporting that 51% of art teachers need a master’s degree and 32% require a doctorate, while Zippia’s data shows that 48% hold a doctoral or professional degree.

Read also: Impact of Teacher Shouting

Bachelor’s degree in art education or fine arts: Most K-12 teaching positions require at least a bachelor's degree in art education, which includes coursework in both studio art and pedagogy. Those with a fine arts degree may need to complete additional certification programs to meet teaching requirements.
Master’s degree in education or fine arts: Many states encourage or require art teachers to earn a master’s degree within a certain number of years. A master's in fine arts or art education can open opportunities for higher salaries and leadership roles.
Doctoral degree for postsecondary teaching: Universities and some colleges often require a PhD or a Doctor of Fine Arts (DFA) for tenure-track positions. Some community colleges and private institutions may hire candidates with a master's degree.
Alternative pathways for degree holders: Those with a degree in fine arts or a related field can transition into teaching through alternative certification programs, which provide the necessary pedagogical training and licensing.

Some private schools and community programs may not require certification but still prefer candidates with formal training in both art and education.

Certification Exams

To become a certified Art teacher, you’ll likely need to take at least two certification exams: one for general teaching practices and another specific to Art. Different states use different teacher certification exams. Many states use either Praxis or NES exams. Other states, such as Texas and California, use their exams like the TExES or CSET.

Don’t make the mistake of assuming these exams will be easy! Many test takers are surprised at the difficulty level of their certification exams, even if they are well-versed in Art and have plenty of experience in Education. Exams that cover pedagogy and professional responsibilities can be particularly challenging.

Applying for Certification

After passing your certification tests, you’ll need to apply for certification in your state. This often requires you to pay a fee, complete paperwork, and do a background check. Once you have completed your teacher preparation program and passed the required exams, it’s time to apply for jobs!

In some states or districts, you can apply for jobs and start teaching while you work towards your certification. In these cases, you will be hired under a probationary contract and have a specified time to pass your certification exam.

Tip: Start working as a substitute teacher while you work towards your degree or certification.

State-Specific Requirements

Art teacher certification requirements vary widely by state, with differences in education, testing, and experience needed to obtain a teaching license. While most states require at least a bachelor’s degree in education or art education, some allow candidates to qualify through alternative pathways.

Degree and coursework requirements: Most states require a bachelor’s degree in art education, fine arts, or a related field, along with pedagogy coursework.
Teacher certification exams: Many states require the Praxis Art Content Knowledge exam or a state-specific alternative to assess subject-matter proficiency.
Student teaching experience: Aspiring art teachers typically need to complete a supervised teaching practicum before obtaining full licensure.
Alternative certification options: States like Texas, Florida, and California offer alternative routes for candidates with fine arts degrees who want to transition into teaching.
License renewal and continuing education: Many states require professional development courses or periodic re-examinations to maintain certification.

Salary and Job Outlook

The salary range for Art teachers varies greatly based on your location and years of experience. Art teacher salaries can range from $33,000 to $93,000! Most school districts determine salaries based on years of teaching experience, so your salary will increase slightly each year.

Currently, art teacher salaries in the United States vary based on factors such as experience, education, and location. According to PayScale, the average annual salary for an art teacher is approximately $50,914, with reported earnings ranging from $35,000 to $79,000. Similarly, Zippia reports an average salary of $50,188 for art teachers, with typical earnings between $40,000 and $62,000. Salary.com provides a slightly higher estimate, indicating an average salary of $60,797, with a typical range between $50,346 and $84,827. Hourly wages also vary, with Indeed reporting an average of $26.33 per hour for art teachers.

Geographical location significantly impacts earnings; for instance, art teachers in San Francisco, California, have an estimated average salary of $72,704, with a total compensation of around $76,555 when including additional benefits. These variations underscore the importance of considering the local cost of living and district funding when evaluating potential earnings in the art education field.

The job outlook for Art teachers is promising. Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicts that from 2021 to 2031, elementary and high school teacher positions will increase by 4% and 5%, respectively.

What to Expect on the Job

A typical day for an art teacher involves a mix of instruction, lesson planning, and classroom management. While their schedule varies depending on the grade level and school setting, art teachers balance creative engagement with administrative duties.

Preparing lesson plans: Art teachers develop engaging lessons that align with curriculum standards while encouraging artistic expression. These plans often include hands-on projects, art history discussions, and technique demonstrations.
Teaching multiple classes: Most art teachers instruct several classes per day, working with students across different grade levels. They guide students through creative exercises, demonstrate artistic techniques, and provide constructive feedback.
Managing classroom materials: Maintaining art supplies and organizing classroom space are essential daily tasks. Art teachers ensure that students have access to materials while promoting a clean and structured environment.
Grading and providing feedback: Evaluating student artwork requires balancing technical proficiency, creativity, and effort.

Alternative Career Paths

Many Art teachers choose to be classroom teachers for a large portion of their career, although they may move to different schools or teach different grade levels. Other Art teachers become department leaders or even Art curriculum writers. Some Art teachers choose to teach at the college level. This typically requires a master’s degree or even a Ph.D.

The Art Teacher in North Carolina

Over the past decade, North Carolina has hired approximately 10,000 new teachers. The state has made a commitment to arts education by adopting content standards that affirm visual arts as part of the core curriculum. These standards focus on teaching visual arts at all grade levels, encouraging visual literacy, the development of critical response, an understanding of contextual relevancy, and other criteria.

Steps to Become an Art Teacher in North Carolina

The NW Department of Public Instruction Licensure Section is responsible for licensing teachers in the state. To become an arts teacher in North Carolina, complete the following steps:

Step 1. Complete a Bachelor Degree and Teacher Prep Program

The first step to becoming an art teacher in North Carolina is to graduate from state-approved teacher training program from a regionally accredited college or university. Classes designed to prepare you for being an art teacher will vary by school and by the grade you are preparing to teach, but they usually cover the history of art, various art making techniques (drawing, painting, etc.), the theory and principles of arts education, critical dialogue about art, a student teaching component, and a portfolio review.

If you haven’t graduated from a state-approved program, you may still be able to apply for a North Carolina license if you have followed another state’s approved alternative route to licensure, met the federal requirements to be designated as “Highly Qualified,” and earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college.

Step 2. Complete Testing

Before becoming an art teacher in North Carolina, you must take and pass both the Core Academic Skills for Educators and the Art: Content Analysis test.

The Praxis Core tests measures basic skills in reading, writing, and math, with a combination of multiple choice questions and two thirty-minute essay questions. You may take all three tests combined, or each one individually. All tests are computerized. Passing scores in North Carolina are as follows:
- Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading 156
- Core Academic Skills for Educators: Writing 162
- Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics 150

You may be required to take the Core tests before starting a teacher prep program, although if you have a total SAT score of 1100 (verbal and quantitative) or composite ACT score of 24, you may be exempt from Core testing requirements.

The Praxis II Art: Content and Analysis test is a computer-delivered, two-hour exam with 85 selected-response questions and three constructed-response questions that cover the process and techniques of art making, the historical and theoretical foundations of art in Western culture and beyond, as well as arts analysis. The analysis portion of the test asks you to write about verifiable art historical examples from memory, and to write about work you have created in two different media.

Step 3. Apply for Your License

Art teachers in North Carolina are licensed in the K-12 level inclusive, and you must have a license to teach in a public school. The first license to apply for is the Standard Professional 1 (SP1) Professional Educator’s Licenses, which is valid for three years. To be issued a SP1 Professional Educator’s License, you must have completed a state approved teacher education program from a regionally accredited college or university, or completed another state’s approved alternative route to licensure, met the federal requirements to be designated as “Highly Qualified,” and earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college.

Maintaining and Upgrading Your License

After three years of teaching experience, the next level of license to apply for is the Standard Professional 2 (SP2) Professional Educator license, which is valid for five years. You can follow the same steps as the ones used for an initial license to apply for a SP2 license.

North Carolina Standard Professional 2 licenses must be renewed every five years. Note that Renewal requests must be submitted April 15th through June 30th of the year that your license expires, and all renewal credit must be earned before the license expires.

To renew your license, you must earn:

1 renewal credit for literacy
1 renewal credit in art
5. 5 general credits (as determined by the LEA, if employed), not to include years of experience

Activities accepted for renewal include college or university courses (transcripts are required), local in-service courses or workshops, and classes and workshops approved by an LEA.

Pursuing Graduate Work

Continued education in graduate work or post-baccalaureate certificate can help you move up additional layers of licensure, expand your skills, and nurture your teaching practice.

Post-baccalaureate programs in the state include:

Master of Fine Arts
Master of Arts in Teaching
Master of Arts in Education
Master of Arts in Elementary Education
Master of Arts in Secondary Education
Master of Teaching History Education
Master of Arts in Teaching, English Education
Master of Arts in Teaching, Family & Consumer Science
Master of Arts in Teaching, Health Education
Master of Arts in Teaching, Middle Grades Education
Master of Arts in Teaching, Music Education
Master of Arts in Teaching, Science Education
Master of Arts in Teaching, Technology Education
Master of Science in Adult Education
Master of Education in Communications Disorders
Master of Arts in Educational Technology
Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education
Master of School Administration (M.S.A.)
PhD in Educational Leadership
PhD in Curriculum & Instruction

North Carolina Art Teacher Salaries

According to the National Education Association, the average starting salary for teachers in North Carolina (as of the 2012-2013 school year) is $30,778, somewhat lower than the national average of $36,141.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not provide data on art teacher salaries as a separate unit but tracks salaries for elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers as larger categories.

However, teacher salaries can vary significantly by location.

UNC Charlotte Graduate Certificate in Art Education (K-12)

Embark on a rewarding journey towards becoming a certified art teacher in North Carolina with the UNC Charlotte Graduate Certificate in Art Education (K-12). This comprehensive 16-credit-hour program is meticulously crafted for visual arts professionals holding a bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts, aiming to enrich their career by stepping into the world of teaching.

Our Graduate Certificate in Art Education program is tailored for individuals who have completed a degree in studio art, accumulated 24 credits in studio art, or successfully passed the Praxis II Art: Content and Analysis exam. By completing the Graduate Certificate in Art Education (K-12), you’ll be fully equipped to inspire future artists and contribute to the vibrant art community in North Carolina.

Clinical Experience: Engage in 15-30 hours of clinical observation per semester within North Carolina, allowing for hands-on experience by working directly with students in small groups. This culminates in a 15-week student teaching period, offering an immersive experience in managing a classroom under the mentorship of a clinical instructor.
Curriculum Focused on Practical Skills: Gain invaluable insights into lesson planning, assessment strategies, understanding adolescent development, addressing the needs of diverse learners, and mastering discipline-specific teaching techniques.
100% Online Flexibility: Designed with the working professional in mind, our program ensures that you can pursue your teaching certification without putting your life on hold.

The graduate-level student teaching/internship is the culminating experience for all concentrations in the Graduate Certificate program, offering candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their readiness for the IPL. Candidates are assigned to an appropriate classroom for a full-time, semester-long experience under the supervision of the classroom teacher and University faculty.

New Arts Education Graduation Requirement in North Carolina

Session Law SL2020-78 directed the State Board of Education (SBE) to modify graduation requirements, which previously included an option to include an arts education credit, to require one credit of arts education to be completed at any time during grades six through twelve. The new requirement. begins with students entering Grade 6 in 2022-23 and, subsequently, in Grade 9 in 2025-26.

The updated language for NC SBE Policy GRAD-004: Beginning in fall 2022, students entering Grade 6 and subsequently entering Grade 9 for the first time in 2025-26 shall have at least one arts education course in grades 6-12. Students must complete the standard course of study (no local electives) for a given arts education course in its entirety to satisfy this requirement. After school activities or partial courses do not fulfill this graduation requirement. Students who transfer into a public school unit beginning in the ninth grade or later may be exempt if such a requirement would prevent a student from graduating with the graduation cohort to which the student was assigned when transferring.

tags: #art #teacher #diploma #requirements