Bachelor of Fine Arts in
Art Education

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Inspire the Next Generation

Want to share your passion for art with others? Eastern Washington University’s BFA in Art Education allows you to grow as an artist while preparing to become a certified K–12 art teacher in Washington State.

In this program, you’ll build a cultural understanding of visual art, explore various art forms, and spend time in the studio honing your skills. You’ll also learn how to design engaging lessons, manage a classroom, and connect with students through art.

By the time you graduate, you’ll have real-world teaching experience, a strong foundation in both art and education, and the confidence to lead your own classroom. You’ll also be well-prepared to pursue careers in museums, community arts, and other related fields.

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Why Get an Art Education BFA at EWU?

Get a hands-on education, real-world experience, and personalized support from faculty so you can launch your career.

Real-World Experience

Real-World Experience

Gain experience through field placements, student teaching, and community-based projects.

Dedicated Studio Spaces

Dedicated Studio Spaces

Create art in fully equipped studios and labs that enable you to experiment and build your portfolio at your own pace.

Art Shows & Exhibitions

Art Shows & Exhibitions

Present your thesis in a public exhibition at the EWU Gallery of Art and gain experience installing and promoting your work.

Faculty Mentorship

Faculty Mentorship

Learn from experienced artists and educators who mentor your growth and support your success.

Supportive Community

Supportive Community

Collaborate with classmates, share ideas and feedback, and build connections that last beyond graduation.

Prepare for Certification & Your Career

This program prepares you for K–12 art teacher certification in Washington State through a combination of coursework and hands-on experience.

By the time you graduate, you’ll be eligible to apply for certification and begin your teaching career.

In this program, you’ll complete:

  • Art coursework
  • Education Core requirements
  • Supervised field experiences
  • Student teaching

Applied Learning Opportunities

An EWU alumna works on an art project with children at a local school

  • Classroom-Based Applied Learning/Simulation: Practice professional skills and real-world decision-making through simulations and hands-on exercises in the classroom.
  • Community-Based Projects: Team up with local organizations on projects that allow you to solve problems and make a difference.
  • Internships: Get real-world experience (and often credit or pay) by working in a professional setting connected to your career goals.
  • Practicums: Build hands-on skills in structured field placements—like classrooms, clinics, or community organizations—that are often required for professional certification.
  • Student Employment & Leadership at EWU: Gain skills, connections, and confidence through on-campus jobs and leadership roles in student government, departments, or clubs.
  • Studio Work: Hone your craft in campus studios, using industry tools and techniques across digital art, ceramics, painting, printmaking, and photography.

Art Education Careers

With a BFA in Art Education, you’ll be prepared to teach, design meaningful learning experiences, and advocate for the arts.

Art Teacher

Museum Educator

Grant Writer for Arts Programs

Curriculum Designer

Public Art Coordinator

Art Education BFA FAQs

As an art education major, you’ll gain skills in communication, creativity, and leadership that apply across a range of careers. While many graduates become K–12 art teachers, this degree can also lead to careers in:

  • Museum and gallery education
  • Community arts programs
  • Arts nonprofits and advocacy
  • Curriculum development
  • Creative workshops and youth programs

Absolutely. As an Art Education major, you’ll sharpen your artistic skills through studio courses in various disciplines, including painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, and digital media.

You’ll graduate with a strong studio portfolio and valuable teaching experience, preparing you to excel as an artist and an educator.

Yes. EWU’s Art Education BFA prepares you for K–12 art teacher certification in Washington State.

By completing your coursework, field experiences, and student teaching, you’ll be eligible to apply for certification after graduation and begin your teaching career.

You’ll begin gaining classroom experience before your final year through field placements and practicums in K–12 schools.

Your program culminates in full-time student teaching, where you’ll lead a classroom with guidance from experienced educators.

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Art - Education K-12 Major, Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

The Bachelor in Fine Arts (BFA) in Art Education prepares students to become both practicing artists and effective teachers, leading to state certification to teach art K–12. The program combines a strong foundation in studio art with professional coursework in education, emphasizing that great art teachers first understand the creative process as artists themselves. Students gain early, hands-on classroom experience and learn to design engaging, inclusive art lessons. Graduates pursue careers as K–12 art teachers, community arts educators, museum educators, and leaders in creative learning environments.                

Art Education students will work closely with an Art Advisor as they complete the program. This program requires all majors to apply to the School of Education in their Junior year before completing the Secondary Education requirements in their Senior year. 

Admission: This Program requires admission into the School of Education.  
Grade Requirements: ≥B- in all Education (EDUC) courses is required. Education Grade Requirements
GPA Requirement: A minimum ≥2.8 GPA.

Students should apply to the Education program under the guidance of the Faculty Advisor.

Art Courses
ART 201ART AND TECHNOLOGY5
ART 202METHODS AND MATERIALS5
ART 211DRAWING5
ART 313ART ACROSS TIME: 18TH CENTURY TO CONTEMPORARY5
or ART 312 ART ACROSS TIME: PREHISTORY TO 17TH CENTURY
ART 325CERAMICS: FUNCTION & FORM5
or ART 365 SCULPTURE: MOLD MAKING AND WOOD CONSTRUCTION
ART 355PAINTING5
or ART 356 WATERCOLOR
ART 331CONTEMPORARY ART5
or ART 314 THE BODY IN ART
or ART 340 NATIVE NORTH AMERICAN ART
ART 406ART AND COMMUNITY5
ART 440EXPANDED PRACTICE: 2D5
or ART 466 EXPANDED PRACTICE: 3D
Art Electives - choose in consultation with art advisor:10
ILLUSTRATION
DIGITAL ART
PHOTOGRAPHY: DIGITAL PRACTICES
and PHOTOGRAPHY: DIGITAL PRACTICES LAB
PHOTOGRAPHY: BLACK AND WHITE
FIGURE DRAWING
CERAMICS: FUNCTION & FORM
CERAMICS: CONTENT & SURFACE
WATERCOLOR
PAINTING
PRINTMAKING
SCULPTURE: MOLD MAKING AND WOOD CONSTRUCTION
SCULPTURE: WELDED AND EXPANDED FORM
FIBER AND TEXTILES
ART IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
EXPERIMENTAL
CERAMICS: CONTENT & SURFACE
TOPICS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
WORKSHOP IN ART
INTERNSHIP
Art Education Courses
SOST 300PEOPLES AND GOVERNANCE OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST5
CSBS 186EARLY CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE (taken along with EDUC 231)1
ART 391ART EDUCATION K-124
CSBS 420STUDENT TEACHING SEMINAR (taken during student teaching)1
Required Capstone
CSBS 490SENIOR CAPSTONE (Secondary EDUC CAPSTONE)4-5
or ART 490 SENIOR CAPSTONE: BFA EXHIBITION
Required Education Courses
EDUC 231FOUNDATIONS OF INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT3
EDUC 232FOUNDATIONS OF CLASSROOM COMMUNITY AND CULTURE3
EDUC 233FOUNDATIONS OF TEACHING, LEARNING, AND MOTIVATION IN SCHOOL CONTEXTS4
EDUC 234UNDERSTANDING EDUCATION IN THE US3
EDUC 331SECONDARY APPLIED INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT4
EDUC 332PRACTICES OF CLASSROOM COMMUNITY AND CULTURE IN SECONDARY CLASSROOMS4
EDUC 431DESIGNING EQUITABLE LEARNING IN SECONDARY CLASSROOMS4
EDUC 434PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIPS3
EDUC 386AFIELD EXPERIENCE 12
EDUC 386BFIELD EXPERIENCE 22
EDUC 386CFIELD EXPERIENCE 35
EDUC 423FULL-TIME STUDENT TEACHING15
Total Credits122-123

The following plan of study is for a student with zero credits. Individual students may have different factors such as: credit through transfer work, Advanced Placement, Running Start, or any other type of college-level coursework that requires an individual plan.

Courses could be offered in different terms, checking the academic schedule is paramount in keeping an individual plan current. Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

All Undergraduate students are required to meet the Undergraduate Degree Requirements.

First Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
ART 2015ENGL 2015ART 2025
ENGL 1015Natural Science BACR 115MATH 1075
Humanities & Arts BACR 115Natural Science BACR 215Social Science BACR 115
 15 15 15
Second Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
ART 211 (Humanities & Arts BACR 2)5CSBS 1861EDUC 2343
EDUC 2313EDUC 233 (Social Science BACR 2)4SOST 300 (Diversity - graduation requirement)5
EDUC 2323Elective - minor or general elective5Art Elective25
Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective3
 16 15 16
Third Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
ART 355 or 3565ART 3135ART 331 (Global Studies - graduation requirement)5
ART 325 or 3655EDUC 3314ART 4065
ART 3914Art Elective25EDUC 3324
  EDUC 386A2
 14 14 16
Fourth Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
ART 440 or 4665CSBS 490 (Senior Capstone - graduation requirement)5CSBS 4201
EDUC 386B2EDUC 386C5EDUC 42315
EDUC 4314EDUC 4343 
Elective - minor or general elective4  
 15 13 16
Total Credits 180
1

University Graduation Requirements (UGR) and Breadth Area Course Requirements (BACR) courses may be less than 5 credits and additional credits may be required to reach the required 180 total credits needed to graduate.  Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

2

Art Electives - choose ten credits in consultation with an Art advisor.

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Art

jhyde@ewu.edu

509.359.6997

140 Art Building
Cheney, WA 99004

EWU Art Gallery
22 7th St
Cheney, WA 99004