Art Education
College of Arts and Architecture
School of Visual Arts
The purpose of the master of education (M.Ed.) degree is to provide preparation for increased professional competence in education. Check with the most current Graduate Degree Programs Bulletin for information on specific courses and course hours required for completion of master's degree.
Option 1: Paper
The candidate will complete a substantial and scholarly research paper based on a topic selected by the student with approval of the student's advisor. The length of this paper is negotiated between the student and advisor, but most final papers will range in length between 40 and 60 pages.
Option 2: Exhibition
The candidate will install an exhibition of art works developed during the student's program.
This exhibition must be accompanied by a scholarly paper that provides the following:
A. An explanation of work shown in the exhibition.
B. A discussion of the artistic processes involved in the work exhibited.
C. An examination of relationships between the works exhibited and the artworld, past and/or current.
D. A discussion of the issues and questions explored by the student through the process of making and exhibiting the work.
E. A consideration of the application of ideas and issues raised in making and exhibiting these works to art education.
Option 3: Project
The candidate will design and complete a scholarly project. A project may take one of many possible forms. The project option is available for candidates to design a scholarly work that does not fit well within Option 1 or Option 2. All components of a proposed project are to be thoroughly discussed and agreed upon by the candidate and his/her advisor prior to initiation of the project. Examples of projects may include, but are not limited to the following: curriculum materials, technological developments, films, and video tape projects. All projects must have an essential written component.
Guidelines for the Thesis for the Master of Science Degree in the Art Education Program
The master of science (M.S.) degree is oriented toward research and culminates in a thesis. The candidate must orally defend her/his thesis. A Thesis Guide, which gives details concerning format, paper, typing, and other requirements, can be accessed in several ways. A copy of the Guide can be purchased at the Thesis Office or accessed at http://www.gradsch.psu.edu/enroll/thesis.html. In addition, several copies of the Guide are available in Pattee Library. Master's degree students will be responsible for arranging their final oral defense.