The Department of Art works in liaison with the School of Education to prepare candidates for teaching art in grades K-12. Students who wish to teach art in public schools must first complete the art major before applying to the School of Education for teacher training in the graduate program.

Program Philosophy

The courses and field experience offered in the Graduate Teacher Education Program develop practitioners who are outstanding academics and effective instructors, reflective about their practice, and influential in the sociological environments of schools. The purpose of this philosophy is to promote teaching as a thoughtful activity connected to considerations of purposes, specific settings, and human needs and values. Reflective teaching allows the teacher to critically examine goals, problems, methods, and solutions in education.

Program Features

Students in the PSU Graduate Teacher Education Program are admitted to cohorts, which are groups of students who take course work and field experience assignments together under the guidance of faculty. The cohort strategy uses group process to develop professionalism, collegiality, and support for classroom performance and reflection. The first academic term uses field placements in addition to course work to introduce students to the challenging world of schools. Under the guidance of experienced teachers, school involvement is increased to include part time student teaching and the third term includes full-time student teaching with complete classroom responsibility. The final term provides an opportunity to reflect upon the events of the past year and to organize for the first-year of teaching.

Prospective teachers should contact the adviser for art education in the Department of Art before beginning the program. They should also contact the Graduate Teacher Education Program (GTEP) for admission and program requirements.

If you are interested in applying for this program, please make an appointment with Conrad Schumacher, Adviser for Art Education. Contact the Department of Art at 503-725-3515.