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College of Creative Arts and Media School of Art and Design

Art Education, BFA

Use your knowledge of art, art history, methods, and materials to foster the imaginations of grade school students and empower them to embrace their talents and explore themselves and the world around them through art.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education is a nationally accredited, professional track degree. Students typically take 4.5 years to complete the required studio concentration and certification to teach art in pre-K through grade 12. Our graduates are well-rounded artists and teachers, and our program has a high job placement rate.

Supported by experiences in the studio arts, art history and education, you will engage in various types of teaching and related activities while still having the full studio art-making experience in a concentration of your choice. You’ll observe teachers in public schools, work with them on special projects, and conclude with a semester practice teaching with carefully selected elementary and secondary school teachers.

Acceptance to the Art Education Program requires admission to WVU and a successful portfolio review.

Your Degree Plan

Student leading a classroom art activity.
We combine the benefits of a small studio program with the resources and facilities of a major research university. Our graduates are certified to teach grades pre-K through 12 and have a high job placement rate.
Tailor this major to your interests by focusing your coursework in 1 of these areas:

2D Studio Painting, Photography, Print Media

Explore creative exploration in both traditional and experiential 2D media including painting and photography. Painting courses provide training in traditional and experimental oil and acrylic media and the creation of both figurative and abstract imagery. Photography courses focus on the production of contemporary art through digital and traditional photographic processes. Students have access to the naturally-lit painting studio located on the top floor of the Canady Creative Arts Center, a traditional darkroom, and a digital imaging lab.
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3D Studio and Public Art

Pursue coursework in sculpture, ceramics, or ceramic production methods. WVU is 1 of the few schools in the nation to offer a ceramics production line, bringing student productions to the general public. Ceramics courses focus on technical expertise, design, and conceptual approaches. Sculpture courses encourage experimental approaches to art-making including mixed media, mold making, installation, community based, and environmental work. You’ll gain a thorough introduction to many different materials and processes to enhance your ability to solve structural, spatial, formal, and conceptual problems.
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Digital Art and Animation

The Digital Art and Animation AOE fosters creative exploration in the production of digital video, animation, installation, interactivity and sound design. You’ll hone skills in multimedia tools, video production and interactive software while gaining knowledge in core principles of interactivity, non-linear narration, and interaction design.
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Graphic Design

Study in Graphic Design begins with learning a foundation in typography, color, symbolic drawings, design for small and large formats and design thinking. In addition to computer graphics and web design, tactical elements of design are explored hands-on through paper engineering, book arts courses and access to a letterpress studio.

The Graphic Design area runs a model design studio, Studio 2453, that serves up to 30 clients per year. Students work as project directors with clients to produce designs that often benefit a particular community.

View in Catalog
Take advantage of special options related to this major:

Honors

Expand your curiosity and enhance your curriculum through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations and Honors in Action.

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart?

  • Classroom experience provided by assisting and observing middle and high school teachers.
  • State-of-the-art studios for hands-on learning experiences in silkscreen and lithography printmaking, ceramics kiln firing, metal and bronze casting pours, and lead-type and relief printing.
  • Nearly 100% job placement rate.
  • Global Positioning Studies courses focus on making creative responses to a specific environment in local, national, and international locations.
  • Generous funding is available for student travel for GPS courses and study abroad experiences.
  • Annual series of visiting artist lectures and gallery exhibitions in WVU Art Museum and Mesaros Galleries features nationally recognized artists and scholars.
  • Volunteer opportunities with local organizations, such as Friends of Deckers Creek and North Elementary.
  • WVU has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design since 1977.
  • Annual Juried Student Exhibition held in the Mesaros Galleries with cash awards.

Learn by Doing

Get involved outside the classroom.

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Video Game Designers

Design core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $98,090

Possible Job Titles: Design Director, Designer, Game Designer, World Designer

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Curators

Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution.

Has a Bright Outlook

May Require Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $61,770

Possible Job Titles: Collections Curator, Collections Manager, Curator, Museum Curator

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Art Directors

Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.

Median Salary: $111,040

Possible Job Titles: Art Director, Creative Director (CD Director), Creative Services Director, Design Director

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Craft Artists

Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft.

Median Salary: $38,480

Possible Job Titles: Artist, Designer, Furniture Maker, Glass Artist

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Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators

Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.

Median Salary: $60,560

Possible Job Titles: Artist, Fine Artist, Painter, Sculptor

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Special Effects Artists and Animators

Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

Median Salary: $99,800

Possible Job Titles: 3D Artist (Three-Dimensional Artist), Animator Artist, Graphic Artist

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Commercial and Industrial Designers

Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children’s toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.

Median Salary: $79,450

Possible Job Titles: Design Engineer, Designer, Industrial Designer, Product Designer

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Graphic Designers

Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.

Median Salary: $61,300

Possible Job Titles: Artist Designer, Graphic Artist, Graphic Designer

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Photographers

Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject’s appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists.

Median Salary: $42,520

Possible Job Titles: Commercial Photographer, Photographer, Photojournalist, Portrait Photographer

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Desktop Publishers

Format typescript and graphic elements using computer software to produce publication-ready material.

Median Salary: $53,620

Possible Job Titles: Compositor, Computer Typesetter, Electronic Console Display Operator, Publisher

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Where our recent grads are working

Our reputation, student teaching program, and quality faculty open many doors for you to find employment or continue your learning in a graduate program.

Graduates have a high job placement record in schools throughout the state and beyond. Recent graduates have found employment in several West Virginia counties (Monongalia, Harrison, Jefferson, and Kanawha), as well as Fairfax County, Virginia.

Further your education

Keep going right here at WVU. Consider furthering your education in:

Places and Spaces

See where you’ll study, research, and create.

View of Creative Arts Center from a distance on a spring day

Canady Creative Arts Center

The Loulie, Valerie, and William Canady Creative Arts center boasts 4 exhibition spaces, 5 performance spaces, 33 individual practice rooms, and 50 classrooms and studios with plenty of space to create. The loading dock at the rear of the building is a wonderful open-air space with stunning acoustics.
Explore the Canady Creative Arts Center

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Student Life

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Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the Art Education major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Tuition and Aid

How much does Art Education at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Ways to Save

Beyond scholarships, here are other ways to reduce your cost of attending WVU.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Art Education, BFA is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Ohio Tuition Reciprocity

As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to Art Education can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.

More About Ohio Tuition Reciprocity

Start at Another WVU Campus

You can start your career with WVU at another campus and transfer to WVU Morgantown.

Explore WVU System

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

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