Master of Arts in Teaching in Art Education

You have a passion for – and a degree in – the visual arts.

You let your creativity shine through your paintings… illustrations… graphic designs… sculptures… photography. You love the studio, but you also find yourself drawn to the classroom, where you can use your talents to nurture and inspire generations of future artists.

Why not turn your baccalaureate degree in studio art into a master’s degree
in teaching?

Lander University offers a graduate degree program leading to the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) with a concentration in art for initial certification to teach K-12.

We recognize the need for practical preparation of individuals seeking initial certification in art. The 14-month M.A.T. degree program is designed to equip graduates of a baccalaureate degree program in studio art with the knowledge, skills and dispositions that will prepare them to teach effectively – and play a positive role in the lives of young people.

You’ll learn these skills from the best. As experts in their fields, our faculty are committed to challenging, encouraging and inspiring you to reach your potential. And with small class sizes and many professional and student organizations on campus, you’ll also have plenty of chances to get to know others who share your interest in art education.

It’s an engaging career, and a degree from Lander can prepare you for the challenges – and rewards – of
teaching art.

The M.A.T. curriculum

At Lander, candidates for the M.A.T. participate in an intensive, 14-month program of full-time studies. The program cycle begins once each year in May, and each cohort admitted completes the entire required course work as a group.

The program consists of 39 graduate hours plus an additional 12 credit hours that require a minimum of 60 full days of directed teaching.

Schedule of study
In your initial summer of study, your courses will focus on art education and education foundations.

In the fall, you’ll move into education, studio methods and art education methods, and you’ll begin your classroom experience by working with K-12 students. In the spring, you’ll focus your studies on a directed teaching experience in a local classroom.

Your completion summer will center on art contexts, studio production, art exhibition and a program defense, evaluated by professionals in the fields of art, art education and education. Upon completion of the program, you’ll have both an M.A.T. degree and preparation for South Carolina teacher certification at the master’s level.

Did you know …

• M.A.T. candidates can complete the program requirements in one academic year when combined with full-time enrollment for two summers.
• A GRE is not required for admission to the M.A.T.  program.
• Praxis II content area tests are required for program completion.
• Lander M.A.T. candidates have earned prestigious scholarships, including the S.C. Art Education Association Scholarship for graduate level studies.

Beyond the classroom

At Lander, you can be sure you’ll have lots of teaching practice before you graduate from our M.A.T. program. Our philosophy is that once you’ve grasped educational theories in your classes, you need to go out into the “real world” to put those theories to work.

You will visit diverse schools and participate in professional activities, both on campus and in statewide settings. You’ll gain hands-on experience in internships, field experiences and workshops with award-winning artists, ensuring that you enter your first art classroom with the confidence and skills to be an effective teacher.

Life after Lander

Lander M.A.T. graduates are teaching – and teaching well – throughout South Carolina and beyond.

Many states offer reciprocal certification for South Carolina-certified teachers, and our M.A.T. graduates can be found in classrooms from Georgia, North Carolina, Texas and Louisiana to Virginia, Michigan and New York.

Lander graduates have been recognized by the South Carolina Art Education Association as Promising Young Professionals, and by school districts as Teachers of the Year.

Learn More

For further information, please contact Dr. Susan Deaton in the Department of Teacher Education at 864-388-8352. For full degree requirements, program goals and more, visit the department's section of the university catalog.