Art Education (K-12), Graduate Certificate

Program Overview

Embark on a rewarding journey towards becoming a certified art teacher in North Carolina with the UNC Charlotte Graduate Certificate in Art Education (K-12). This comprehensive 16-credit-hour program is meticulously crafted for visual arts professionals holding a bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts, aiming to enrich their career by stepping into the world of teaching. Delivered in partnership between the Cato College of Education and the College of Arts + Architecture, this program opens a streamlined path for obtaining your North Carolina initial Standard Professional I teaching license.

Who is This Program For?

Our Graduate Certificate in Art Education program is tailored for individuals who have completed a degree in studio art, accumulated 24 credits in studio art, or successfully passed the Praxis II Art: Content and Analysis exam. It’s the perfect fit for art professionals seeking to leverage their expertise by educating the next generation of artists.

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  • Delivery
    Online
  • Credits
    16 Credit Hours
  • Admits
    Fall

Program Highlights

Highlights for the UNC Charlotte Art Education (K-12) Graduate Certificate include:

Clinical Experience: Engage in 15-30 hours of clinical observation per semester within North Carolina, allowing for hands-on experience by working directly with students in small groups. This culminates in a 15-week student teaching period, offering an immersive experience in managing a classroom under the mentorship of a clinical instructor. Current teachers have the advantage of meeting this requirement in their own classrooms.

Curriculum Focused on Practical Skills: Gain invaluable insights into lesson planning, assessment strategies, understanding adolescent development, addressing the needs of diverse learners, and mastering discipline-specific teaching techniques. The program emphasizes real-world application through targeted clinical experiences and personalized coaching.

100% Online Flexibility: Designed with the working professional in mind, our program ensures that you can pursue your teaching certification without putting your life on hold. Benefit from the flexibility to continue working while advancing your education and career in art education.

By completing the Graduate Certificate in Art Education (K-12), you’ll be fully equipped to inspire future artists and contribute to the vibrant art community in North Carolina. Our program not only prepares you for the classroom with practical training and direct teaching experience but also opens the door to a fulfilling career in art education.

Courses
  • ARTE 5121: Teaching Art to Elementary Students (3)
  • ARTE 5122: Teaching Art to Secondary Students (3)
  • MDSK 6162: Planning for K-12 Instruction (2)
  • TESL 6204: Multicultural Education (3)
  • MDLG 5130: The Middle Grades Experience (2) or SECD 5140 – The Secondary School Experience (2)

Internship/Student Teaching

The graduate-level student teaching/internship is the culminating experience for all concentrations in the Graduate Certificate program, offering candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their readiness for the initial Standard Professional I teaching license. Candidates are assigned to an appropriate classroom for a full-time, semester-long experience under the supervision of the classroom teacher and University faculty. Residency teachers may complete the internship in their own classroom, but must contact the Office of School and Community Partnerships to determine the appropriateness of their classroom for the student teaching/internship experience and licensure requirements. This contact should take place upon admission to the program.

  • MDSK 6470: Graduate Student Teaching and Internship (3 to 5)

*Clinical Experiences

UNC Charlotte’s Graduate Certificate in Teaching offers an efficient pathway to initial teacher licensure for candidates who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and meets the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) enrollment requirement for candidates seeking Residency Licensure. Course instruction is delivered 100% online using Canvas and, in most concentrations, is paired with clinical labs that meet on UNC Charlotte’s campus or at school sites in the Charlotte area. Lab courses have an ‘L’ designation on the plans of study available on the program site. Please contact the Office of Teacher Education Advising and Licensure at 704-687-8725 with questions about course format.

Admissions

Admissions & Requirements for the Art Education (K-12) Graduate Certificate

  • Complete the Graduate School Admission Application.
  • A bachelor’s degree from a university accredited by a US Department of Education-recognized institutional accreditor.
  • A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.7 (If you do not have at least a 2.7 GPA, please see our GPA Forgiveness process).
  • Copies of unofficial transcripts from all academic coursework beyond high school.
  • A statement of purpose.
  • Two online professional recommendations coming from individuals in a supervisory capacity (i.e. principal or manager) and/or academic reference (i.e. professor).
  • A clear criminal background check, which will be requested after application submission. The cost of this will start at $18 and could take 2-4 weeks to be processed. Please note your application cannot move forward until this step is complete.
  • Submission of digital portfolio.
    • Portfolio should include 12 images of original works showing a diversity of skills in 2D (such as photography, printmaking, painting, or drawing), 3D (such as fibers, sculpture, ceramics, or installation), or digital media.
    • Up to two images of each work may be submitted.
    • Limit video to two minutes maximum in either .mp4 or .mpeg format.
    • Label each piece with title, date, size, medium, and artist’s statement.
    • Submit portfolio through the Graduate School Application site. Use Powerpoint or Google Slide format.
    • Samples of classroom artwork will not be considered. They must be your own recent, professional works.
  • The online Graduate Certificate Program requires classroom observation hours to be completed in the state of North Carolina.

One of the following:

  • Option 1: Candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art
  • Option 2: Obtain or already possess 24 credits in Studio Art
  • Option 3: Passing scores on the Praxis II Art: Content and Analysis

Internship/Student Teaching

The graduate-level student teaching/internship is the culminating experience for all concentrations in the Graduate Certificate program, offering candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their readiness for the initial Standard Professional I teaching license. Candidates are assigned to an appropriate classroom for a full-time, semester-long experience under the supervision of the classroom teacher and University faculty. Residency teachers may complete the internship in their own classroom, but must contact the Office of School and Community Partnerships to determine the appropriateness of their classroom for the student teaching/internship experience and licensure requirements. This contact should take place upon admission to the program.

*Clinical Experiences

UNC Charlotte’s Graduate Certificate in Teaching offers an efficient pathway to initial teacher licensure for candidates who have already earned a bachelor’s degree or need to meet the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) enrollment requirement for Residency Licensure. Course instruction is delivered 100% online using Canvas. Each semester includes a clinical component of 15-30 hours per semester in a North Carolina school. Candidates then participate in student teaching, a 15-week experience where they assume the total course instruction load from their clinical educator. Candidates not already hired as full time teachers are assigned a clinical educator for the student teaching internship. Resident teachers are able to use their own classroom as their clinical and student teaching site.

Application

Application Deadline: August 1 (fall)

Tuition

Please note: Rates are subject to change.

Resident:

  • $288.82 per credit hour

Outside of NC Non-Resident:

  • $536.98 per credit hour

Non-Resident:

  • $1,098.21 per credit hour

More information regarding tuition and fees »