Find your perfect college degree
There’s a profound misunderstanding about the value of art in our society. There are several forms of art—it can be a product, a visual piece, a human activity, a way of expression, or a skill. It can be digital, audio, video, or printed.
Many people would argue that an art degree is useless—but we say otherwise. Art is indispensable as it depicts culture, beliefs, and traditions. Art Education degrees can also lead to many fulfilling careers in the education, art and design, and museum sectors.
An online Bachelor’s in Art Education degree will hone your soft skills, allowing you to apply for various jobs within the industry. It’s a great way to have formal training without breaking the bank or uprooting your whole life.
The Lowdown
Online bachelor’s degrees in Art Education are tailored to busy students who enjoy making and teaching art and would want to advance their careers through artistic expression. At the same time, this is the perfect program for a future artist or art educator who wants to make an impact on the lives of the students they teach.
Despite busy schedules, other obligations, work, and communities, online students have the opportunity to receive the best possible education through an online Bachelor’s in Art Education.
Methodology
Our list includes online colleges and universities with outstanding undergraduate online programs that offer quality education. During the selection process, the following criteria were put into consideration in order to choose each of the best online Bachelor’s in Art Education and art universities:
- Delivered online or as a blended program, with the program’s flexibility designed to allow students to finish their degrees while balancing their family and work obligations,
- Features the fundamentals of online Art Education courses from the basic to the advanced levels, equipping students for a graduate program in the same or similar discipline or entry-level employment,
- Provides internships and student teaching opportunities for students interested in gaining experience in the workplace,
- Leads to students’ or graduates’ eligibility for a teaching certification or teacher education licensure,
- Develops students’ communication, creativity, and critical thinking skills as a comprehensive program
- Taught by highly qualified and expert Art Education professors with substantial teaching experience in the field,
- Offers federal aid programs, transfer credits, scholarships, grants, military benefits and similar other programs to make undergraduate education more affordable,
- Approved by academic institutions and recognized by the US Department of Education for meeting academic standards and accreditation requirements.
Visit our Methodology page for more information about our ranking system.
Best Online Colleges with Online Degrees in Art Education
Academy of Art University
Online Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education
Academy of Art University is a top training ground for autistic students. It offers an online BFA in Art Education designed for students who want to become successful artists and educators.
During this 120-credit hour program, you’ll explore various art and design techniques. You’ll study how to create effective teaching plans and educational programs for different groups through classroom learning and hands-on experience. Some courses you can expect include:
- Educational Psychology
- Curriculum Development for the Art Classroom
- Integrating Technology into Art Education Settings
- Composition and Painting
In addition to online courses, you might also need to participate in fieldwork to practice your teaching and communication skills.
What Makes this Program Unique:
This program is directed at students who plan to pursue Master of Arts degrees. This online bachelor’s degree curriculum is intensive, requiring students to create a comprehensive lesson plan or artistic project that demonstrates their learning and teaching abilities.
Did You Know?
Academy of Art University houses some of the top facilities and resources available to art students. These include galleries, labs, and state-of-the-art studios.
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
Online Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education
The online BFA in Arts Education at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design is an interactive online program that guides students’ academic and creative journey from start to finish. This online BFA degree requires students to complete 125 credit hours, which involves both online and face-to-face meetings.
This online program highlights the following topics:
- Psychology of Creativity
- Leadership
- Student evaluation
- Classroom management
- Performance standards
What Makes this Program Unique:
Even if you’re an online student, you’re required to visit K-12 art classrooms and spend 200 hours observing licensed art teachers and their students. These hands-on experiences are designed to give you insights into the complexities of teaching.
Additionally, you’ll gain practical experience through two student teaching placements—one in elementary school and another in middle or high school—where you’ll work full-time under the guidance of experienced teachers.
Did You Know?
RMCAD’s Online Art Education Program is recognized by the Colorado Department of Education and the Colorado Commission of Higher Education. Graduates can apply for a Colorado teaching license for K-12 art and start their career teaching in schools.
Lamar University
Bachelor of Science in Studio Art – Education
The College of Education and Human Development at Lamar University offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Studio Art Education. Those interested in becoming art teachers at all levels can earn this online degree. Students in this online program have a strong foundation in all areas of studio art and art history.
They can also have classroom experience as art teachers. Aside from their coursework, Art Education students donate their time to neighborhood art programs for kids and seminars for local educators and artists. These experiences prepare them for actual work in the field of art and education.
What Makes this Program Unique:
Art Education provides students with the skills needed to become all-level art teachers. Many local, regional, and global organizations are involved in students’ creative efforts.
Did You Know?
The National Association of Schools of Art and Design recognizes Lamar University as a member. At Lamar University, the National Art Education Association student group, along with real-life artists, interact together in conferences, exhibitions, and campus seminars.
Hardin-Simmons University
Online Bachelor’s in Art Education
Hardin-Simmons University offers a Bachelor’s in Art Education Degree program that gives you an opportunity to showcase your work and explore new media at local galleries by studying a well-balanced blend of art history and studio art and teaching art courses.
You’ll also be well-prepared to teach K–12 students, work as a museum educator, or proceed to a master’s degree in art or related fields.
You can major in art at Hardin-Simmons University and study challenging courses in art, design, and multimedia to prepare you for a variety of careers and graduate programs.
With their Art Education degree online, you may embrace the long tradition of artistic production while also learning about the rich history of art and mastering your particular medium and techniques.
What Makes this Program Unique:
The degree in Art Education at HSU emphasizes experiential learning and being involved in communities. An Art Education student in the city will find many opportunities for art-related internships in galleries and museums. You can volunteer as an art teacher or attend many art events hosted by the school.
Did You Know?
The goal of HSU is to provide students with the information and confidence they need to identify and achieve their goals. Hardin-Simmons succeeds in embracing every student in their community.
The University Of Nebraska Kearney
Online Bachelor of Arts in Education
An Art Education major prepares students for a career in teaching art to kindergarten through twelfth graders. If this is your career goal, it’s time to enroll in the University of Nebraska Kearney’s Bachelor of Arts in Education Degree.
The UNK College of Education’s exceptional teaching skills and the UNK Art Department’s aesthetic prowess are combined in this.
Besides studio classes, methodologies courses, and courses on the background, philosophy, and psychology of Art Education, a curriculum must also include courses on creating integrated curricula to encourage creativity.
Students at UNK have more options when it comes to completing their degree while paying fewer credits and transferring easier. General studies credits were reduced from 45 to 30 hours.
What Makes this Program Unique:
Students studying Art Education at the University of Nebraska Kearney have numerous opportunities to put what they learn in class into practice. They can accumulate 100 hours working with kids in grades K–12. Students also have art observation and field trips.
Did You Know?
The University of Nebraska at Kearney will win accolades on a national level for offering a top-notch, diverse learning environment, empowering students to participate in society in a democratic, multicultural environment while engaging with the local community and advancing civic causes.
Skills Necessary for Art Education Graduates
Organizing Skills
You must arrange your workspace if you want to succeed. A messy office is a reflection of a messy mind. In art school, you learn how to keep your workspace organized, bring only what you need, clean up used materials, and put everything away after each class.
This is the expectation in every art class you teach, and the students do get into the habit of planning.
Courage and Guts
A new project is difficult. For a person who has never painted, even picking up a paintbrush requires a lot of confidence. Even for those with past experience in the visual arts, experimenting with a new medium can be difficult. Art Education graduates should have the courage and guts to teach art or start a project.
Discipline
Discipline is a highly important skill when pursuing art and is required in any teacher-student interaction. As role models, you need to ensure that your students are well-disciplined and are following the right ways in art ethics.
A great artist takes their education seriously, complete their tasks on time, and practice whenever they can.
Concentration
When creating art, you must have good concentration and focus. An art project could take a while to finish, and you must focus your eyes on your goals. When you are good at focusing, you get things done and achieve what you set out to do.
Possible Jobs for Art Education Graduates
Educational Psychologist
As implied by the job title, educational psychologists usually work in schools and learning institutions. You will work with children, assessing and deciphering test results as you and the schools try to make sure they get the best education to which they are entitled.
You will observe students and their learning environments in order to identify behavioral issues, mental health issues, and learning disabilities.
Art Educator
Art educators teach students how to create works of art such as paintings, sketches, designs, and sculptures. They also create lesson plans, set course objectives, and offer private and group instruction that is tailored to each student’s needs and geared to inspire them.
Artist Therapist
In order to work as an art therapist after receiving your degree in art education, you might need to seek additional education and training, such as a master’s degree in psychology or a therapist license. It is possible to work with patients who have emotional or mental health problems.
You can investigate their feelings together through art therapy and begin to notice changes in their mental health and general quality of life.
Superintendent
Art Education graduates can also work as superintendents. You will take charge and manage a vast educational network. You appoint the principal of every school in your district. You are ultimately in charge of deciding whether to discipline or terminate a teacher.
Together with the school board, you will develop and manage the budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get an online Bachelor’s in Art Education?
Before a student can graduate, they must fulfill a specified minimum credit requirement set by their university. Typically, you might need to finish at least 120 semester credits, for instance.
If you take 12 credits per semester, you should be able to complete your degree in 10 semesters or five years. Your pace and classes enrolled in each semester can either lengthen or shorten your graduation time.
What do Art Instructors earn?
According to salary.com, an art educator makes an average salary of $60,304. The salary an individual earns can vary depending on the location and employer, as it does with many teaching occupations.
Art teaching may be possible with a bachelor’s degree, but a master’s degree may increase your earning potential.
How do prospective students earn an online degree in Art Education?
Maintaining your education while juggling a demanding job and family responsibilities may be difficult. However, online bachelor’s degree programs in art education can help individuals finish their graduate degrees thanks to their flexible course selections.
A BS in Art Education requires more than just studying history and theory. To earn a BS in Art Education, you should look for schools that integrate practical experience with classroom instruction.
Summary Points
- Art educators teach their students how to create, appreciate, and comprehend the fine arts. They create teaching outlines and lesson plans, deliver lectures, lead discussions and activities, record class attendance, assign homework, and assess student progress, just like teachers in other areas.
- Most art educators should be equipped with skills such as creativity, innovation, communication, curriculum development, instruction, and interpersonal skills.
- Students who earn a Bachelor’s in Arts Education degree are ready to apply for entry-level jobs in the elementary or secondary education sectors. Students can modify the curriculum to meet the requirements of kids with different backgrounds and skill levels.
Additional Information:
