Art Education, MAT

Teach your art.

The Master of Arts in Teaching in Art Education is designed for students who have completed an undergraduate major in studio art and are seeking state certification in Georgia. This graduate degree can be completed either as a full-time or part-time student and is ideal for those who want to continue working while they complete the course work to become an art teacher. Internships are required and, unless already working in an accredited art teaching position, must be done in an accredited school during school day hours.

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Art Education leads to initial certification and is designed to meet the needs of candidates who hold a completed BA or BFA degree in art. The 46-credit hour program is designed for those who wish to teach in a P-12 setting.

The Master of Arts in Teaching in Art Education program has been approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for initial teacher certification.  Candidates from other states may be eligible for certification under the Interstate Certification Compact. The program is available on the Demorest campus only.

In order to register for student teaching or take the capstone course in any program (whichever occurs last), MAT candidates must successfully pass the appropriate Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) tests(s) before registering for the final semester of coursework in the program.

It is the personal one on one relationships and support from committed faculty, the unique opportunities to work with our college museum, summer studio, and the weekend workshops that make the art education program at Piedmont stand out from other colleges in Georgia. As part of the MAT program, students take part in two summers of studio-based courses for two weeks. These highly engaging hands-on studio-based courses remind students of the importance of being not only teachers of art but makers of art as well.

Piedmont University works with MAT Art Education students developing a plan that meets individual needs. With the added benefits from the use of the Mason-Scharfenstein Museum, small class sizes, weekend workshops, and practical classroom experiences with schools convenient to students, the MAT Art Education program has become one of the largest in Georgia. This program conforms to the Georgia Performance Standards for Fine Arts and National Standards for Arts Education, fulfilling the program requirements so students will be well-prepared to achieve teacher certification in Georgia during their first year of teaching. The Art Education program has boasted a 100% job placement since 2013. Students who graduate from Piedmont are prepared to teach in both public and private schools, and can also find jobs in museums, libraries, and non-profit organizations devoted to the arts.

What classes will I take?