BA in Art Education

Why choose art education at North Central College?

You’ll develop your own artistic vision and foster the creativity of young people. North Central’s exceptional art education curriculum includes plenty of studio time in our top-notch art facilities. The program also addresses current issues in K-12 education and leads to licensure by the State of Illinois. Because North Central graduates complete at least 155 pre-residency teaching hours, it’s no surprise that they enjoy extremely high teacher placement rates.

You may also:

• Participate in the Senior Art Show, solo or group shows, and juried exhibitions in the College's dedicated exhibit spaces.
• Experience world-class art and architecture by attending galleries, museum openings, and exhibits in Chicago and Naperville.
• Join the National Art Education Association, Artists Club, Photography Club, or Ceramics Club, which invite guest artists to campus and plan field trips.
• Apply for competitive talent scholarships in art.

Art education majors develop problem-solving skills and creative design thinking strategies through analysis, critique, and creation of works of art. Students explore a range of media in foundational studio courses and refine their art practice in advanced courses, culminating in a senior art exhibition. Students pair the major with secondary education and are prepared for K-12 Art Teaching Certification as well as a wide range of teaching possibilities in community art centers, children's museums, art museums, parks and recreation departments, and arts organizations.

Major Requirements

Required Courses

• ARTD 107 - 2D Design: Explorations in Image-Making
• ARTD 120 - Drawing I: Observational Drawing
• ARTD 130 - Painting I: Materials, Tools, and Techniques
• ARTD 140 - Digital Art and Design
• ARTD 150 - Ceramics I: Introduction to Form and Techniques
• ARTD 160 - 3D Design: Form and Space

One of the following:

• ARTD 210 - Printmaking I
• ARTD 260 - Sculpture I: Modern and Contemporary

Studio Art Electives

• Four credit hours from studio art electives at the 200-level
• Eight credit hours from studio art electives at the 300-level

Note: Studio electives should be from different methods for breadth

Art History Courses

• ARTH 100 - World Art Histories I
• ARTH 102 - World Art Histories II

One of the following:

• ARTH 302 - Modern Art
• ARTH 304 - Contemporary Art

Senior Art Exhibit/Capstone

• ARTD 496 - Exhibition I: Research and Development
• ARTD 498 - Exhibition II: Production and Installation

Notes:

*ARTD 496 and ARTD 498 do not count toward the 400-level studio art electives (can be taken for 0 credits for Art Education majors)

*ARTD 190 is a recommended course

Education Requirements

Completion of the Secondary Education major requirements and the following courses:

• EDUC 331 - Elementary Methods: Art
• EDUC 332 - Elementary Field Experience: Art

Additional Requirements for the BA Degree

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language.

A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn to think independently and work globally to solve problems and lead.

Internships

• Art facilitator, DuPage Children’s Museum, Naperville

Recent graduates in art education include:

• Aurora school districts
• Chicago Public Schools
• East Aurora School District 131
• Naperville School District 203
• Indian Prairie School District 204
• Plainfield School District 202