Graduate study in art education is designed to meet the specific needs of art education graduates, practicing art teachers who need graduate credits to meet state mandates, and art teachers who wish to conduct advanced independent study or research in art, art education, art history or related fields.

In addition to the M.Ed., the art department offers a certification program in Supervision of Art Education; see the Supervisory Certification Program section for requirements.

Admission Requirements

Those persons applying for admission to the graduate studies program of Millersville University who wish to pursue a program leading to a master’s degree in art education must possess Pennsylvania Instructional I Certification in art education or be enrolled simultaneously as a post-baccalaureate certification student.

Applicants who meet the requirements for admission through the Office of Graduate Studies, as specified in the Admission Requirements section, will be reviewed by the art department graduate admission committee, which will use the following to formulate a recommendation of probational admission, regular admission or admission denied:

1. Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate grades and grade averages (minimum: 3.0 cumulative; 3.25 in art and art education courses);
2. Three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s education and teaching experience (including the applicant’s immediate supervisor);
3. Evidence of artistic expression (portfolio review); applicants who completed an undergraduate degree in art at Millersville University are not required to submit a portfolio for review;
4. Professional goals as stated by the applicant; and,
5. If the department recommends probational admission, the conditions shall be clearly stipulated (e.g., the successful completion of a designated course (or courses) either at the graduate or undergraduate level).

Degree Requirements

A program of study will be developed for each student based upon the individual’s specific academic background, skills and educational aspirations.

Each student is required to complete the professional studies core, the art education core, the comprehensive studies program and either a thesis or a documented study that represents original investigation relating to art education.

Each student will select work in this program in conjunction with the other M.Ed. requirements. The comprehensive studies courses should provide a direction to the student’s professional career.

The concepts and skills necessary for teaching are emphasized, as required for the elementary or secondary art classroom, or in other art programs such as special education and adult education.

As part of the comprehensive studies program, the student, in conference with an advisor, may select studies in art studio and art history as well as other graduate studies (e.g., special education, psychology, professional education, literature, technology and innovation, and languages and cultures).

Degree Candidacy

See the Degree Candidacy Review section.

After the student has completed no fewer than 6 and no more than 15 s.h. in the art department, an evaluation shall be conducted by the student’s graduate committee to determine his or her qualifications to become a degree candidate. This evaluation shall be based on:

1. Student’s performance in graduate study.
2. Recommendation of the art department graduate faculty.
3. Interview with the graduate program coordinator.