Applying to a B.F.A
Students who wish to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree must first enter as a B.A. in studio and take Foundations courses. They then can apply and be accepted into either a B.F.A. in studio or art education. This is when they chose their concentration. Acceptance to a concentration is determined by application and portfolio review following completion of the art core curriculum. The studio program requires a concentration in one of the following areas: drawing and painting, or printmaking, graphic design, interior design, photography, textiles or three-dimensional studies (ceramics or sculpture). Students should consult with the undergraduate area coordinator in their area of interest for details. Portfolios and applications are reviewed fall and spring semesters on Portfolio Review Day, which is set by each area.
Admission to Art Education B.F.A.
The Art Education program offers two tracks for students to develop their teaching skills. One track is the traditional model of art teacher preparation with a focus on students meeting the certification requirements for kindergarten through 12th grade teaching in Georgia. Another option for study in Art Education has a focus on preparing students to teach in a community-based arts organization or museum. The primary difference in the students’ experience will be the setting in which they complete most of their observation hours, practicum and internship. Developing effective methods for teaching art is the goal for both programs.
Application to the B.F.A. program in Art Education should occur upon completion of the 18 semester hours required in Area F as well as the introductory art education course (AE 4200). Admission to the major takes place at the midpoint of the second semester in the program during which students are taking AE 4400 Media, Technology and Visual Presentation.
To apply to the Art Education certification track, students must have:
- passed the portfolio review of artwork professionally presented in an electronic portfolio or PowerPoint
- received at least “Good” in all dispositional ratings
- earned a 2.5 overall cumulative GPA
- earned a 3.0 GPA in all art content courses
- passed GACE Program Admission Assessment or have been exempted from the GACE Program Admission Assessment (SAT Score 1000 or more: verbal and math combined; or ACT Score of 33 or higher: math and English combined). When registering for the assessment, program entry candidates must add their program provider (Georgia State University – school code 5090) as a score recipient when registering or we will not receive notification of completion of the assessment
- provided proof of completing the Georgia Educator Ethics – Program Entry (350) Assessment, although there is no pass/fail grade assigned. Program entry candidates must add their program provider (Georgia State University) as a score recipient when registering or we will not receive notification of completion of the assessment
To apply to the Art Education non-certification community-based teaching track, students must have:
- passed the portfolio review of artwork professionally presented in an electronic portfolio or PowerPoint
- received at least “Good” in all dispositional ratings
- earned a 2.5 overall cumulative GPA
- earned a 3.0 GPA in all art content courses
- submitted an essay detailing goals and reasons for wishing to teach in a community-based program
Guidelines for the Entry-to-the-Major Review will be distributed during Art Education courses and posted in the Art Education area. Art Education faculty will assist students in preparing their pre-teaching certification and portfolio requirements for admission. If a student is not accepted into the Art Education certification track, or is accepted with pending status, the student will not be allowed to take any further Art Education courses until the issue for admission to the major is resolved. If the issue cannot be resolved within the second semester of the program students may elect to complete a degree in Art Education with a focus on community-based art education settings or museums, which does not lead to a teaching certification, or consider other degree options. In the community-based track, students complete the last 10 hours of the Art Education program in an alternative teaching setting rather than in public schools.
