Mar 29, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Studio Art, Art Education Concentration, B.F.A.


The bachelor of fine arts with a concentration in art education offers an in-depth studio experience as well as a professional course of study in art education leading to teacher certification in Maine. The program is guided by a conceptual framework that proposes that individuals need to be prepared for work in an increasingly complex and culturally diverse world, and that such work is best done through collaboration and reflective inquiry.

For those who want certification to teach art in Maine and who already have a BA, BFA, or MFA in studio art, we offer our BFA with a concentration in art education. For most people this means taking the 30-credit professional education sequence to fulfill all state requirements. This can usually be completed in two years. Field experiences and student teaching placement schools are located in southern Maine.

For those who want a BFA in art education, without a Maine k-12 state teaching license, we offer a community art track with alternative student teaching experiences based within community arts, non-profit arts, and regional art organizations. Students choosing this option will complete all other coursework that is required to graduate with a BFA in art education, but will not earn a k-12 teaching license.

This program will prepare students to be eligible for licensure within the State of Maine. Visit the UMS State Authorization and Licensure page to learn more about the licensure requirements in other states and territories, and for contact information to inquire further about the licensure requirements associated with this program.

For more information, contact the Department.

Program Requirements


The minimum number of credits (exclusive of the University’s Core curriculum) required for this degree is 92.

Grades of C- or better must be earned to satisfy all major or minor requirements.

Upper Level Art History Requirements Credits: 9


  • Three ARH 300- or 400-level Art History Electives

Studio Concentration Requirements Credits: 9


Choose one concentration and the associated sequence of courses:

Ceramics Concentration


Sculpture Concentration


Studio Electives Credits: 9


Any three 200-, 300-, or 400-level ART classes

Completion of the senior exhibition is required for the BFA with a Concentration in Art Education.

Professional Education Requirements (29 credits excluding HRD/SBS 200)


*HRD 200 /SBS 200  counts as a University Core requirement and a Professional Education requirement.

**A 3.0 minimum grade point average (GPA) in art studio, art history, and art education sequence courses must be maintained to register for AED 321 AED 324 , SED 235 , AED 421 , and to graduate from the program.

**Permission of the instructor is required prior to student teaching and continuation in the program. Students must maintain a 3.0 minimum grade point average (GPA) in art studio, art history, and the art education sequence courses as well as a 2.5 minimum GPA overall.

The Professional Education Council, comprising deans, department chairs, faculty, and school representatives from all programs offering initial teacher preparation, is the governing body for program review and evaluation for all initial level teacher education programs at USM.

For the purposes of field placements in schools during the educational cluster and internship year, students are required to complete and show documentation of the fingerprinting process outlined by the Maine Department of Education: http://www.maine.gov/doe/cert/fingerprinting/

All students must formally declare their entry into a teacher certification concentration by completing the declaration procedures found on the Office of Educator Preparation website at https://usm.maine.edu/educator-preparation. Subscription to Tk20, and two recommendation forms are necessary to complete the declaration process.

Tk20 Subscription:


All undergraduate and graduate students who matriculate into an Educator Preparation program or pathway in USM summer 2013 or later are required to subscribe to the Tk20 online data management system. The subscription allows students to use the system for assessment, advisement, field-experience and career portfolio management. The subscription fee of $103 covers some of the expenses related to the administration and assessment of the program. For loan purposes, it will be eligible for consideration as part of costs. The subscription is a one-time payment and must be made by each student during the first semester of program or pathway matriculation (check with individual programs and pathways for specific subscription timelines). Subscription instructions are posted on the Office of Educator Preparation website: https://usm.maine.edu/educator-preparation

Please note Professional Education Council Policy: In order for USM’s Education Preparation Unit program completers to be recommended by the institution to the state for certification or licensure, the candidate must provide evidence of meeting all certification requirements including proficiency on the standards relevant to his/her state approved professional program and this evidence must be compiled and assessed within the context of the Unit’s data management system (i.e., Tk20).

For loan purposes, Tk20 is eligible for consideration as part of educational costs. Subscription instructions (including the current fee) are posted on the Office of Educator Preparation page on MyUSM at https://mycampus.maine.edu/group/usm/office-of-educator-preparation.

USM Core Requirements


The USM Core Curriculum is a coherent, integrative, and rigorous liberal education that enables our graduates to be world-minded, intentional, life-long learners and captures your general education degree requirements. 

Please Note: Core requirements may be part of your major and/or minor, and Core may have been fulfilled with transfer credit. Please consult your MaineStreet Degree Progress Report (DPR) and review your degree progress with your Advisor.  For additional information, access the USM Core webpage.