Frequently Asked Questions

A Master of Arts in Art Education opens doors to roles in and beyond the K-12 classroom. Graduates typically teach art in public and private schools, but the degree also prepares you for work in:

• Museums
• Galleries
• Community arts organizations
• After-school programs
• Nonprofit education initiatives

Some alumni go on to become department chairs, curriculum specialists or art education consultants, while others pursue roles in art therapy settings, publishing or arts administration.

A master's degree signals advanced expertise that can qualify you for higher pay and leadership roles. In New York and a handful of other states, a master's is also required to move from an initial to a professional teaching certificate.

Adelphi's program also includes student teaching in New York K-12 classrooms that fulfill New York State certification requirements and give you real classroom experience before you graduate.

You can learn more about specific roles in our guide to career options with an MA in Art Education.

You don't need a master's degree to start teaching in New York, but you will need one to continue.

New York State issues an initial teaching certificate to candidates who complete an approved teacher preparation program and pass the required exams, which allows you to teach in public schools for up to five years.

To earn a professional certificate (the credential required for long-term teaching in New York), you must complete a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution that includes at least 12 graduate semester hours in your content area, along with three years of classroom experience.

Adelphi's MA in Art Education is designed to meet both sets of these requirements. The program prepares you for your initial Visual Arts Pre-K-12 certification and fulfills the master's coursework needed for the professional certificate down the road.

Yes. The Adelphi MA in Art Education is an approved teacher preparation program that leads to eligibility for New York State Visual Arts Pre-K-12 initial teaching certification.

The MA in Art Education prepares you for both stages of New York certification. First, it's an approved program that leads to your initial certificate. Second, it counts as the master's degree you'll need later to earn your professional certificate. You can learn more about this on our professional certification page.

The curriculum, fieldwork and student teaching components of the art education master’s program are all built around the state's certification requirements.

After you graduate, you'll apply for certification through the NYS TEACH system and need to pass the required state exams.

If you plan to teach outside of New York, your Adelphi degree and NY certification can serve as a strong starting point, though each state sets its own additional requirements for out-of-state candidates.

Your coursework is completely online. It's delivered via the Moodle learning platform and is largely asynchronous, meaning you can watch lectures and complete assignments on demand within weekly deadlines.

Some courses may include live video sessions during standard class times. Visit our curriculum page for more information on the degree experience.

The fieldwork and student teaching portions happen in person. You'll spend 100 hours in Pre-K, elementary or secondary classrooms, where you'll observe and work alongside certified art educators. You’ll then complete a full semester of student teaching in local schools.
Adelphi places students throughout New York State, so you can live anywhere in New York and still complete these requirements close to home.

Adelphi's Office of Community Partnerships handles placements for you. Placements are available no matter where you live in New York State. If you have an existing connection at a school or with a teacher, you're welcome to request that placement, and we'll work to make it happen as long as all parties agree.

• Fieldwork: You'll complete 100 hours of fieldwork across three courses during your second and third semesters, typically 3 to 4 hours per week in local K-12 schools with a certified art teacher.
• Student Teaching: During your final semester, you'll move into full-time student teaching, spending eight weeks in a Pre-K-6 classroom and eight weeks in a 7-12 classroom.

Throughout student teaching, you'll be supported by a cooperating art teacher in the classroom and a university supervisor who leads a weekly reflective practice seminar.

Students must meet the following requirements for admission to the program:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university including 30 credit hours in art.
• A minimum 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA on a four-point scale.

No previous teaching experience and no GMAT scores are required. You will need to provide an artistic portfolio as part of your admission materials. Visit the admissions page for a full list of what you’ll need to provide.

No, the online Master of Arts in Art Education is not open to international students. This includes students currently studying in the United States on a student visa.

For the most current figures and a full breakdown of fees, visit the MA in Art Education tuition & financial aid page or call an enrollment specialist at 516.619.2209.

Most students don't pay the full price out of pocket. You may qualify for federal financial aid by filing the FAFSA, and Adelphi accepts employer tuition reimbursement, military benefits (including the Yellow Ribbon Program for eligible veterans) and private loans. Employees of organizations in the AllCampus Workplace Network also receive a 10 percent tuition discount.

Online students have access to the full range of Adelphi support services, from enrollment questions to academic tutoring. Here's who to contact and how to reach them.

General support
For questions about tuition, financial aid or the application process, Adelphi's enrollment specialists are available at 516.619.2209 or online@adelphi.edu.

Military and veterans benefits
Active, reserve and veteran military students and their families using Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits or other veterans affairs program benefits can contact Adelphi’s Veteran Support Services team at veteransupport@adelphi.edu.

Technical support
The Office of Information Technology Help Desk can help resolve technical questions and issues. Reach the Help Desk at helpdesk@adelphi.edu or 516.877.3340. IT manuals, tutorials and videos are also available online.

Library access
Online students can visit the Adelphi Libraries virtually to contact a librarian or access the collection directly, including more than 80,000 free e-books.

Academic support
The Center for Academic Support and Enrichment is dedicated to nurturing students’ academic success. You can schedule time with an academic tutor whenever you need or attend a group session, all online.

The MA in Art Education is designed to prepare you for the classroom from day one.

Your fieldwork begins early in the program, placing you in Pre-K, elementary or secondary schools, where you'll observe and work alongside certified art educators.

These placements help you build a network of mentors and references long before graduation, and many students find that cooperating teachers and site supervisors become lasting professional contacts.

Coursework also weaves in career-focused topics like portfolio development, curriculum design and professional practice, so you're refining the skills employers look for as you go.

By the time you reach student teaching, weekly seminars with faculty cover career development directly, including résumé building, interview prep and strategies for the teaching job market.

All students and alumni also have access to Adelphi's Center for Career and Professional Development for résumé reviews, interview coaching and more, as well as access to Handshake, which connects our students with more than 1 million employers.

Yes. Adelphi is ranked in the top 20 percent of colleges for veteran and military benefits, and is a recognized Top Yellow Ribbon School by U.S. Veterans Magazine.

• GI Bill (Chapter 33/Post-9/11): Eligible students can receive up to 100 percent of tuition coverage based on credits enrolled each semester
• Yellow Ribbon Program: Eligible Chapter 33 recipients may receive additional funding beyond the standard benefit, with the VA and Adelphi each contributing up to $4,000 for a potential total of $8,000
• Concurrent Admissions Program (ConAP): Allows soon-to-enlist or currently enlisted military personnel to take courses while continuing their service

To get started, submit your Certificate of Eligibility to the One-Stop Student Services Center at onestop@adelphi.edu. Include your full name and Adelphi student ID.

For questions about eligibility or obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility, contact the veterans support team at veteransupport@adelphi.edu.

Learn more about military financial aid benefits or explore our broader veteran and military resources for Adelphi students.