Bachelor of Fine Arts with an Emphasis in Art Education: Curriculum Requirements

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Art Education students follow a curricular pathway that prepares them for a visual arts teaching certificate through the State of Illinois. Here are the requirements you must meet to earn a BFA in Art Education from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Total Credit Hours138
Studio 60
  • Contemporary Practices or its equivalent for transfer students (12)
  • CP 1030 SAIC Wired I (1.5) 
    or
    CP 1031 SAIC Wired II (1.5)
  • Sophomore Seminar (3)
  • Drawing (6)
  • Painting (3)
  • Printmedia (3)
  • Ceramics or Sculpture (3)
  • Studio electives—includes 12 credits of 3000-level or above (28.5)
  
Art History 18
  • ARTHI 1001 World Cultures/Civilizations: Pre-History to 19th Century Art & Architecture (3)
  • Art History Elective at 1000 level (3)
  • Art History Electives and/or Visual and Critical Studies—includes 6 credits global/comparative (12)
  
Liberal Arts 30
  • English (6)
    • ENGLISH 1001 First Year Seminar I (3)
    • ENGLISH 1005 First Year Seminar II (3)
  • Natural Science (6)
  • Math (3)
  • Social Science (6)
  • Humanities (6)
  • Liberal Arts Electives (3)
  
Professional Education 30
  • ARTED 3120 Histories, Theories & Philosophy American Public Education (3)
  • ARTED 3125 Doing Democracy: Predagogies of Critical Multiculturalism (3)
  • ARTED 3211 Curriculum & Instruction: Methods and Materials (3)
  • ARTED 4100 Cultural Approaches to Production (3)
  • ARTED 4220 Psychological, Sociological, and Phenomenological Approaches to Teaching (3)
  • ARTED 4390 Fieldwork: Elementary and Secondary Experiences (3)
  • ARTED 4490 Apprentice Teaching (12)
  
  1. Teacher candidates must pass three Illinois Certification Testing System teststo qualify for certification:
    • Test of Academic Proficiency, (400)—taken and passed before enrolling in the art education classes
    • Visual Arts Content Area Test—taken and passed before preclinical fieldwork
    • K–12 Assessment of Professional Teaching Test—taken and passed before obtaining the teaching certificate
  2. Teacher candidates must complete a fingerprint background check before enrolling in the art education courses and again, before the beginning of student teaching.
  3. Teacher candidates applying for certification must be U.S. citizens or intend to become U.S. citizens within 10 years of certificate issuance.

Transfer Students

Total credits required for minimum residency 60
Minimum studio credit 30
Minimum professional education courses 30

Interested in learning more?

Visit the Department of Art Education website for information on the curriculum, faculty, and resources offered through the department.

Interested in learning more about how you can apply?

Visit the undergraduate admissions website or contact the undergraduate admissions office at 800.232.7241 or ugadmiss@saic.edu.