Art, teaching endorsement (PreK-12)

Owned by Barbara Byer (Deactivated)
Last updated: Jun 23, 2023 by Amber Tobey

Contact: Cyndi Gusler
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Semester Hours: 81 (35 education + 46 art)
Format: Face-to-face

Admission Requirements: All students seeking licensure to teach shall make application for admission to teacher education and to student teaching. Application for admission to teacher education is made at the end of the fall semester of the sophomore year and application for admission to student teaching is made at the end of the fall semester of the junior year. Transfer students are required to attend a teacher education program transfer orientation meeting their first semester on campus.

Entrance and exit requirements including cut-off test scores for all teacher education programs are found in the Teacher Education Handbook or www.emu.edu/education/test-scores.

An entry assessment in reading and writing is required for admission to the teacher education program. Students with qualifying Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) scores meet the requirement. The Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) is required for teacher licensure.

Admission to teacher education requires a 2.5 cumulative GPA  and a teacher education interview. Admission to student teaching requires a 2.7 cumulative GPA. In addition, students must have a C or better in all education courses (courses with ED prefix and content area methods courses) to be admitted to student teaching. Exit requirements include meeting the Virginia cut off score requirements for the Praxis Subject Assessment (consisting of subject area components); and an earned GPA of 2.7. Additionally, the Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary assessment is required for early/primary education (PreK-3), and elementary education (PreK-6). Students may obtain an additional endorsement without completing an approved licensure program by passing the Praxis Subject Assessment in the content area (Biology, Chemistry, English, History and Social Science, Mathematics, Visual Arts, English as a Second Language, Health and Physical Education, Foreign Language, and Music) with the exception of PreK-3, PreK-6, and Special Education.

The art courses listed below and the all grade education (PreK-12) courses make up the program for art teacher licensure, grades PreK-12.

Required Courses (50 SH)

  • VACA 121 Drawing (4)

  • *VACA 131 Three-Dimensional Design (4) 

  • VACA 141 Foundations of Design (4) 

  • VACA 151 Photography I (2) 

  • VACA 222 Painting (4) 

  • VACA 232 Ceramics (4) 

  • *VACA 283 Art History-Western (4) 

  • VACA 332 Intermediate Ceramics (2) 

  • VACA 381 Cinema and Visual Theory (2) 

  • VACA 382 Contemporary Art (2) 

  • *VACA 384 Art History-World (2) 

  • VACA 434 Advanced Drawing (2) 

  • VACA 435 Advanced Painting (2) 

Choose two courses from this list:

  • VACA 252 Photography II (4) 

  • VACA 262 Video Production (4)

  • *VACA 323 Printmaking and Watercolor (4) 

  • *VACA 335 Installation and Experimental Media (4) 

Recommended courses

  • VACA 432 Advanced Ceramics I (2) 

  • VACA 450 Junior/Senior Portfolio and Vocation (2)

The first of two art methods courses (VACA 397 Elementary School Art Methods or VACA 398 Secondary School Art Methods) may be taken prior to admission to teacher education. The second art methods course requires admission to teacher education and enrollment in ED 351 General Curriculum and Methods. Both VACA 397 and 398 offer art education majors practicum experiences in local schools. VACA 397 and VACA 398 must be passed with a grade of C or better. Teacher candidates must comply with all teacher education requirements listed in the teacher education section.


Professional Studies Courses (35 SH)

  • ED 101 Exploring Teaching (2) 

  • ED 245 Learning and Classroom Environments (3) 

  • ED 275 Instructional Technology and Assessment (3) 

  • ED 301 Needs of Diverse Learners (3) 

  • ED 351 General Curriculum and Methods for Middle and Secondary Teaching (1) 

  • ED 395 Reading and Writing in the Content Area (6-12) (3) 

  • ED 401 Examining Foundations of Education (2) 

  • ED 411 Reflective Teaching Seminar (1) 

  • ED 461 Elementary Student Teaching (PreK-6) (7) 

  • ED 462 Middle/High School Student Teaching (6-12) (7) 

  • PSYC 202 Developmental Psychology (3) 

All ED courses must be passed with a grade of "C" or better.

  • VACA 381 Cinema and Visual Theory OR VACA 382 Contemporary Art (2) 

  • VACA 397 Elementary School Art Methods (3)

  • VACA 398 Secondary School Art Methods (3)

    *Indicates course is offered in alternate years