I hope that students leave my classes with a heightened sense of curiosity, confidence in asking critical questions, and an appreciation for the unknown.
The online Master of Art Education program at the University of Georgia focuses on the intersections of art curriculum, contemporary art, disability studies, digital technology, and culturally responsive practices. Designed for practicing educators and art professionals, the program encourages students to become reflective, creative, and critical thinkers who challenge conventional approaches to art education through both local and global lenses.
Is the M.A.Ed. program fully online?
Yes, the program is designed to be completed fully online. However, students may opt to participate in a one-week, studio-based summer residency in Athens, GA, which accounts for no more than 5% of total program credit hours.
How Long Does It Take to Finish the Online Master of Art Education Program?
The M.A.Ed. is a 30-credit hour graduate program designed for working professionals. Courses are delivered in focused 7-week blocks, with students enrolling in one course at a time and completing two courses per semester. This flexible structure allows students to complete the degree in two years.
Who should apply for this degree?
Certified art educators who hold a Level 4 Teaching Certificate (or equivalent credential) and wish to earn a Level 5 Certificate are eligible to apply.
Artists or professionals with an undergraduate degree in an art-related field who plan to work in educational settings that do not require certification, such as museums, nonprofit organizations, or community centers.
Students who are interested in pursuing teacher certification and wish to complete in-person certification requirements concurrently with the M.A.Ed. program.
Is teacher certification required to apply?
No. Applicants without certification may still apply, though this program does not grant initial certification.
Students who live within driving distance and are interested in pursuing teacher certification may choose to complete our in-person certification courses concurrently with the Online M.A.Ed. program.
What makes UGA’s Master of Art Education program unique?
Unlike many art education programs housed in colleges of education, UGA’s M.A.Ed. is part of the Lamar Dodd School of Art—one of the largest and most highly ranked art schools in the country. This provides students with direct access to art faculty with expertise in art-making, theory, and research. The program features a unique blend of theoretical study, analytic inquiry, and digital course delivery, ensuring both intellectual rigor and flexibility for working professionals. An optional summer residency offers additional opportunities for in-person connection, creative exploration, and hands-on studio work.
Is this program suitable for working professionals?
Yes. With asynchronous online courses and one class at a time, the program is built to support the schedules of full-time educators, working artists, and professionals balancing career and life responsibilities. Students can earn a graduate degree without relocating or pausing their careers.
Accreditations
The University of Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees. The University of Georgia also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of the University of Georgia may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Admissions
Admission Requirements
Applicants may fall into two categories:
1) Those seeking a Level 5 Teaching Certificate in the state of Georgia must have an undergraduate degree in art education and already hold a Level 4 Teaching Certificate in Art for admission.
2) Those wishing to work in contexts that do not require certification, such as museums and community centers, must hold an undergraduate degree in an art-related field for admission. An initial Level 4 Teaching Certificate is not required for admission and will not be granted through this program, though you may combine this online program with residential courses (required for certification) if you wish to pursue a Level 4 teaching certificate.
Credit Transfer Policy
This program does not accept transfer credits from other institutions or from other degree programs.
Online Master of Art Education Application Checklist
Application – Submit your application through Graduate School Admissions online. Application fee: $75 Domestic & International.
Select Campus – Online
Select Degree Level – Masters
Select Intended Program – MAED, Art Education (School of Art) [MAED_ARTE_ON]
Select Intended Term – Fall
Résumé or curriculum vita – Submit online through the Graduate School application.
Statement of Purpose: In a brief statement of 1-2 pages, you will be asked to describe a) your professional goals and the relationship of your academic and professional experiences to those goals; b) your academic and professional preparation not evident from other credentials submitted; c) why you are applying to the program, and what you intend to accomplish in graduate school.
Writing Sample OR a Teaching Philosophy: You should upload a writing sample such as an essay or academic paper, or a written teaching philosophy so as to showcase your skills as a writer.
Lamar Dodd School of Art Supplemental Materials: Available in the online graduate application for admission. a. Portfolio: A maximum of 10 Artist/Student Digital Images: In a pdf of no more than 10MB, you may include images of your artwork, artwork created by your students or program participants, or images of collaborative creative projects (community-based art, socially engaged art, etc.). Optionally, include a brief description of the images to explain your artistic intent or goals for teaching. b. About You (Optional): You may choose to submit a short video profile, no longer than 3 minutes by providing a Vimeo or YouTube video link.
Transcripts – Submit your unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended as part of the online application. You will send official transcripts after you are offered admission.
Letters of Recommendation – Submit at least two letters of recommendation online to the Graduate School. Letters should be from individuals who can evaluate your scholarly ability and potential for success in a graduate program.
Application Deadlines
Domestic Applicants
Fall: The Academic Department reviews completed applications on a rolling basis until the Fall application deadline date of July 1.
International Applicants
Fall: April 15
International Applicants – must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.
Cost
Tuition & Fees for Master of Art Education
Tuition rates and student fees can change each year.
Based on the 2024-25 credit-hour cost, a person completing this program at the recommended pace would have paid $20,220 in tuition. Reference this sheet to identify the current credit hour rate for your program of interest.
Consult your employer about the availability of tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance programs.
Military Assistance
Active-duty military, veterans, and military families should visit Veterans Educational Benefits to take full advantage of available financial assistance and educational benefits.
University System of Georgia Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
The purpose of TAP is to foster the professional growth and development of eligible employees. For more information, see Tuition Assistance (refer to the Distance Learning section).
Technology Requirements
Computer with current operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux). Additional peripherals such as webcam, headphones, and microphone are required.
High-speed internet access.
Curriculum
This fully online program requires the completion of 30 credit hours. There are 10 main courses (3 credits each) in the program, and each course lasts 8 weeks. Students take one course at a time throughout the entirety of the program.
Year 1
Fall
Course
Title
Credit Hours
ARED 7400E
Introduction to Inquiry in Art Education
3
ARED 7380E
Contemporary Art & Pedagogy
3
Spring
Course
Title
Credit Hours
ARED 7370E
Curriculum Theory and Practice in Art Education
3
ARED 7570E
Disability and Art Education
3
Summer
Course
Title
Credit Hours
ARED 7310E
Critically and Culturally Responsive Art Education
3
ARED 7130E*
Studio Techniques in Art Education
3
Year 2
Fall
Course
Title
Credit Hours
ARED 7410E
Digital Art Education
3
ARED 7230E
Topics in Art Education
3
Spring
Course
Title
Credit Hours
ARED 7650E
Applied Project in Art Education (Part 1)
3
ARED 7650E
Applied Project in Art Education (Part 2)
3
Total Credit Hours = 31
*Optional Residency
During the Summer session, you will have the option to attend a one-week studio-focused residency on campus, during which time you will complete no more than 5% of your total credit hours for the program. The summer residency hours will be applied to ARED 7130E, which is a hybrid course and will be completed on-line following your one-week residency.
The Art Education program at UGA is situated firmly within the School of Art (while many art education programs are situated within colleges of education). This gives us a distinct opportunity to offer an optional residential experience that capitalizes on the resources of the School of Art including state-of-the-art facilities and studio faculty participating in the summer residency experience. A short summer residency allows you to complete some of the work associated with the studio course (ARED 7130) and offers you a rich experience while allowing us to develop a personal connection with you. An exciting element to the summer residency is a studio instructor—someone with an established record of artistic and/or scholarly research—to facilitate a residency workshop.
Testimonials
I will always be proud to be a graduate of the UGA Art Education program, and I am thankful for the experiences it provided me! I was surprised by how much I didn’t know about my field! The program opened my eyes to the depth of art education, including theoretical foundations, new teaching methodologies, and the potential to impact students’ lives beyond the classroom. It provides opportunities to grow as an art educator, explore new perspectives, and connect with a diverse group of peers who become lifelong friends and collaborators. This program offers an incredible experience that will push you in the best ways, helping you grow both as an educator and as a person.
In response to a growing demand for advanced art education degrees offered remotely, the Lamar Dodd School of Art at the University of Georgia has transitioned the Master of Art Education program online beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year in partnership with the UGA Office of Online Learning.
If you have any questions please email us atonline@uga.edu.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
