UNCW Introduces Art & Art Education Program

UNCW has introduced a bachelor’s to master’s combined program in Art and Art Education. The program enables students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art, Art History or Digital Art at UNCW the opportunity to also complete a master’s degree in Art Education within a five year period (including one summer).

The dual degree program is offered jointly by the College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts’ Department of Art & Art History and Watson College of Education’s Art Education Program.

“The Watson College introduced a master’s degree program in Art Education in 2021,” said Professor Christine Liao, coordinator of WCE’s MAT in Art Education program. “The program is designed for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in art who would like to teach art at public schools. The program has been very successful and we are excited to partner with Department Chair Aaron Wilcox and UNCW’s art faculty to expand this program to students currently studying art at UNCW.”

The key feature of the program is that undergraduate students can take graduate courses for up to 6 credits, and they will count toward both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Students interested in the BA/MAT program can initiate the application process in their junior or senior year and begin taking graduate-level courses the following semester. 

Graduate courses in art education are offered online with in-person field experience. During the final semester, students will participate in full-time student teaching under the guidance of a mentor teacher and faculty supervisor. Successful completion of the program will prepare students for obtaining NC K-12 art teaching licensure.

“The art education master’s program is carefully designed to provide the maximum amount of art-teaching knowledge and field experience with minimal time,” said Dr. Liao. “The program is intense but our students have excelled in their courses and internships and many are now enthusiastically sharing their love of art with students in K-12 classrooms.”

For more information about the new Art & Art Education, Bachelor's/Master's Combined Program please visit the website or contact program coordinator Dr. Christine Liao at liaoc@uncw.edu.