Navigating the MassArt Art Education Master's Programs: A Comprehensive Guide

The Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt), a pioneering institution in art and design education, offers comprehensive graduate programs in Art Education. This guide provides detailed information about the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and Master of Education (MEd) programs, application requirements, and opportunities available to graduate students.

MassArt: A Legacy of Art and Design Education

Founded in 1873, MassArt holds the distinction of being the first freestanding public college of art and design in the United States and the first art school in the nation to grant a degree. With a mission to prepare students from diverse backgrounds to become leaders in the creative economy and positively impact society, MassArt fosters a dynamic, experimental, and entrepreneurial community. The institution has a long-standing commitment to access and equity in art, design, and education.

Graduate Programs in Art Education

MassArt offers two distinct graduate degrees in Art Education: the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and the Master of Education (MEd).

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

This program is designed for individuals seeking initial licensure as PK-12 visual art teachers. MassArt BFA students not majoring in Art Education may apply to an expedited Master’s program for PK-12 visual art teacher license endorsements. Our BFA Art Education students may apply for an expedited Master’s program at the beginning of their last semester. MassArt students who are earning their BFA in Art Education are eligible for an expedited MA program at the beginning of their last semester of courses (before the certification semester). Students who will finish their 120 credits in the Fall must apply by the September deadline. Youth Programs Summer Intensives. MassArt students who are earning their BFA in Art Education must apply to the MA program at the beginning of their last semester of courses (before the certification semester). Students who will finish their 120 credits in the Fall must apply by the September deadline. Accepted candidates begin their graduate work in the summer that immediately follows their BFA graduation. As part of the 30-credit MA program, students complete Designing Curriculum, Artist Teacher Studio, and the 6-credit student teaching practicum during the MA program instead of during BFA program, to qualify for initial licensure in Massachusetts.

Master of Education (MEd)

The Master of Education is a 30-credit, seven week low-residency program that qualifies students who already hold an initial teaching license to apply for a Massachusetts professional teaching license. This program is designed for working teachers who wish to develop deeper understanding of the contemporary fields of art and teaching, reinvigorate their studio practice, and/or learn to interpret and conduct research in art education. The M.Ed balances three types of courses: studio, research, and pedagogy.

Read also: Continuing Education Guide

Application Requirements and Process

To apply for the graduate programs in Art Education at MassArt, prospective students must submit a comprehensive application package. The priority application deadline for fall and summer program start dates is January 2. The application process typically involves the following components:

Statement of Purpose

Applicants must submit a one-to-two page statement describing their reasons for applying to the graduate program at MassArt and the planned direction of their future work. This statement is an opportunity for applicants to articulate their artistic and educational goals, discuss their relevant experiences, and explain how the MassArt program will help them achieve their aspirations.

Transcripts

Official college and post-secondary school transcripts are required and must include the applicant's most recent grades. These transcripts provide the admissions committee with a comprehensive overview of the applicant's academic history and performance.

Letters of Recommendation

Referees should be familiar with the applicant's art/design work, academics, and/or professional work ethic. Letters of recommendation provide valuable insights into the applicant's skills, abilities, and potential for success in the program.

Portfolio

Your portfolio should demonstrate your in-depth commitment to the arts. Please submit your portfolio as 1 PDF. Share stories and images of what you’ve made. Describe the brief, your role, and the outcomes. Share stories about uncovering insights that drive bold work. Describe the research questions posed, the learning methods, and your role in the process. Share stories about shaping work, organizations, or offerings that leverage the power of design methods. Describe the context, your role, and the space made for creative solutions and/or human insight to move the outcomes in meaningful ways. For some applicants portfolios will be commonplace and for others this may be the first time you create a portfolio. A successful portfolio might center around one larger story or multiple shorter stories. All applicants are encouraged toward visual storytelling and imagery. While the goal of the program is to help you become a master of design innovation, your application portfolio might focus on method and your awareness of opportunities for innovation through design.

If working in time-based media, submit up to 3 time-based pieces. Clips should be no longer than 3-5 minutes. Those with teaching experience are welcome to submit up to 5 images of student work.

Interview

Select candidates will be invited to interview with faculty. The interview provides an opportunity for the faculty to learn more about the applicant's qualifications, goals, and suitability for the program. It also allows the applicant to ask questions and gain a better understanding of the program's curriculum and culture.

Advanced Placement and Transfer Credit (MArch Program)

Applicants seeking Advanced Placement in Track I or placement in Track II, are required to submit course descriptions and syllabi to document equivalencies for the Track I pre-professional courses. Course descriptions refer to detailed written summaries that provide information about the content, structure, objectives, and requirements of an academic course. Syllabi are instructional documents offering a comprehensive overview of an academic course. MassArt’s M.Arch Program Director, in collaboration with the Office of Admissions, Departmental Faculty and the Graduate Dean, evaluates all M.Arch applicants for placement into Track I (pre-professional and professional coursework) and Track II (professional coursework), and for advanced placement in Track I or for transfer credit in either program. Application portfolios are reviewed for placement in the design studio sequence. Track I portfolios demonstrate design ability and may include art, fabrication, building and/or architectural work. Portfolios for acceptance into Track II must demonstrate an applicant’s ability to manipulate structural and environmental systems and to integrate these systems into the design work presented. Application transcripts are reviewed for architectural courses from prior pre-professional or professional education. In addition, transfer credit is approved only for graduate level courses as evidenced on a graduate transcript, and courses must not have been applied towards a prior degree. Undergraduate courses may be approved for course exemptions or waivers. Course content is reviewed based upon documentation submitted for evaluation as described below. Applicants submit documentation in their admissions application, for review towards program placement, when they have prior architectural courses or experience. All evaluations must be complete prior to matriculation and are final.

Track I: Applicants may provide documentation for any successfully completed college-level coursework or work experience corresponding to the following M.Arch requirements. Structures and building systems courses: M.Arch EDAD 517 and EDAD-527 Structures I and II, EDAD-567 Building Operating Systems, and EDAD-577 Structures Overview.

Track II: Applicants must provide documentation demonstrating completion of all M.Arch Track I first year pre-professional requirements - excluding EDAD-502 Methods and Materials and EDAD-532 Sustainable Architecture - in their prior educational or work experience. Official college transcript(s) with final grades (in program application). Course descriptions and course syllabi. International documents must be officially translated into English. Transfer credit, with reduction of credit load, may be granted only for graduate level coursework included on a graduate transcript. Courses should not have been used towards a prior degree. After review, a program evaluation specifying the accepted coursework and the balance of degree requirements to be taken at MassArt is issued to accepted applicants following the review. All program requirements missing the required documentation remain in the balance of courses to be taken in the M.Arch program. Required credits for M.Arch program completion are followed: Track I requires 81-102 credits depending on accepted prior coursework; Track II requires 60 graduate credits with a maximum of 6 graduate transfer credits. See Graduate Academic Policies. The M.Arch program begins in early June.

Opportunities for Graduate Students

MassArt provides numerous opportunities for graduate students to enhance their academic and professional development.

Assistantships and Internships

All full-time graduate students are eligible to apply for a range of paid on-campus teaching and administrative assistantships. These assistantships provide valuable experience in teaching, research, and administration, while also helping students finance their education. Off-campus internships are encouraged, and grad students may apply for paid positions that can also earn credit, during the academic year and the summer break. These internships offer opportunities to gain practical experience in various art-related fields and build professional networks.

Exhibitions and Residencies

Graduate students are afforded a variety of opportunities to exhibit their work both on and off-campus, in group shows and with their graduating cohort in their final thesis exhibition. These exhibitions provide a platform for students to showcase their artistic talents and gain recognition within the art community. Several post-graduate residency opportunities are offered each year to recent alums, including international teaching residencies in Beijing, China, and Bangalore, India. The Graduate Programs also coordinate and provide funding for local and regional artist residencies for alums at MASS MoCA, The Longy School of Music of Bard College, and The Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, and the Chautauqua Institution.

Admissions Decisions

Decision letters Admissions decisions are released electronically via the MassArt Applicant Portal, beginning in early March. Decisions are released on a rolling basis.

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