Art Education
Study art education at UNI – the state’s leader in teacher preparation
Art teachers play an important role in the development of a well-rounded student. They build strong foundations, while helping their students develop creativity and appreciation of art in the world that surrounds us.
If you have a passion for teaching and a love of art, the University of Northern Iowa art education program is the right place for you. A major in art teaching prepares you for success in the classroom by giving you the skills and experience necessary to teach introductory and general art classes at the elementary or secondary level.
In this program, students take a variety of art and general education classes, along with courses that prepare them to be effective classroom leaders. With excellent faculty, three different field experiences, and a full semester of student teaching, graduates are well prepared for starting their professional careers.
Art Education Program
We are the largest art education program in the state, graduating more art teachers than any other institution in Iowa.
Career Placement
Over the past seven years, our graduates have continuously found their place in the job market after graduation. Not only do they place well, but they also thrive, grow and contribute to their school districts.
Top Ranked
Our Art Education M.A. program serves students across the nation. Offered online, it's accessible, flexible and workable to position our grads for the future.
Find out More About Art Education
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Contact us directly at:
Department of Art
104 Kamerick Art Building
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0362
Phone: 319-273-2077
Email: artdept@uni.edu
Opportunities for Students
Courses
Art Education majors take a wide variety of 2D and 3D studio courses and art history, which prepares them to teach a wide variety of media and techniques in their future classroom. Students will also have the opportunity to choose a concentration area that supports their artist identity.
Student Teaching
We ensure that students have ample time teaching in urban, suburban, and rural settings through 3 levels of field experiences with a variety of students in pk-12 grade. In Methods in Elementary Art Education, students teach youth at our local art center, while in Methods in Secondary Art Education, our students teach art at local secondary schools. We have art education alumni all over the world, teaching in pk-12 schools from right here in Cedar Falls to Colorado and Arizona, and even in international schools in places like Egypt and China, thanks to our international teaching fair.
Not only has UNI's Art Education program done an excellent job of preparing me for my future career, but it has taught me I can and will make a difference as an educator.
Bringing Art to the Community
In addition to formal classroom experiences, our students also have a variety of community-based art education opportunities. Our students participate in collaborative art projects within local schools, and throughout our community. They learn first-hand how to plan, develop, and implement arts and cultural programming, which prepares students to work as educators and coordinators in museums and art centers.