Students working with young people at the BGSU Saturday Art Program gives BFA art education students art teaching experience.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

Art Education

The BGSU Bachelor of Fine Arts in art education prepares visual artist-teachers to work in pre-K through 12th-grade classrooms. BGSU is well-known nationally and across Ohio for the high quality of its art education program.

Experience the exclusivity of a private art academy at an affordable, public university. Our faculty-to-student ratio is just 14:1.  

Art education majors integrate practices in the visual arts and education. Students learn how to incorporate art-making studio practices with content in art history, art criticism, philosophies of art and social-cultural topics. 

The required courses for state licensure are taken in the BGSU College of Education and Human Development and include student teaching internships.

The wide-ranging curriculum prepares you to be a versatile and creative educator.

Why study art education at BGSU in Ohio?

  • National reputation. BGSU is well-known across Ohio and the country for our high-quality art education program.
  • Real-world experience. A 14-week student teaching internship lets you apply your classroom knowledge and work with diverse student populations.
  • Study abroad opportunity. Students tell us that studying at ISI-Florence (International Studies Institute) in Florence, Italy, is life-changing.
  • Incredible art facilities. BFA students also enjoy some of the best art facilities in the region. We have classroom studios for jewelry and metalsmithing, drawing and painting, sculpture (including wood and metals shops), ceramics, glass, photography, printmaking and digital media.  
  • Three on-campus art galleries. The School of Art houses three galleries: 
    • Creative Education Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery
    • Hiroko Nakamoto Gallery, a ceremonial Japanese gallery
    • Willard Wankelman Gallery
  • Arts living community. Learn and live with other art students in the Arts Village Learning Community. The residential community offers one-of-a-kind experiences that help you connect with peers and mentors and succeed academically – trips, collaborative projects, on-site classes, social events and more.

Career – what can you do with an art education degree?

Our BFA art education graduates work in pre-K through high school classrooms. BGSU is well-known across Ohio and nationally for the quality of its art teacher preparation.

Many organizations also offer art classes and hire full- or part-time art educators:

  • Independent cultural organizations
  • Community arts education programs
  • Public and private galleries
  • Senior centers
  • Nonprofits

Some students go on to graduate school. They apply to Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programs in the visual arts or Master of Arts (M.A.) programs in art education.

Career paths

  • Studio art educator
  • K-12 art teacher
  • Community art educator
  • Nonprofit program educator
  • Art Museum educator
  • Gallery educator
  • Studio artist

Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

View Average Salaries

Curriculum

As a key part of the BGSU BFA in art education, you will develop skills in a wide range of art media and processes and learn how to use them in classroom projects. 

  • Drawing
  • Printmaking
  • Painting
  • Photography
  • Ceramics
  • Sculpture
  • Glass
  • Jewelry and metals
  • Digital imaging and graphic design 

You are required to pass a portfolio review at the end of your first year of study to be fully admitted into the Bachelor of Fine Arts program.

The degree curriculum offers courses in community arts education and art museum education. You’ll take educational psychology courses in the BGSU College of Education and Human Development.

Required courses

An art education BFA student works on a piece of art with a student outdoors in the Ohio sunshine.

Sample courses

  • Visual Arts Methods and Teaching Practicum
  • Art Methods for Inclusive Learners
  • Photography for Digital Artists
  • Foundations of Art Education
  • Media and Methods in Art Education
  • Educational Psychology
  • Intro to Public Speaking

Student teaching internships

Gain a variety of in-depth field experiences with diverse student populations with a 14-week student teaching internship.

Study abroad in Italy

You have the chance to study abroad at ISI-Florence (International Studies Institute) in Florence, Italy. You will receive BGSU credit for all courses you take in one of the most beautiful and inspiring cities in the world.

BGSU College of Arts and Sciences

The Art Education program is part of the School of Art in the BGSU College of Arts and Sciences.

Updated: 02/18/2025 11:34AM