BFA in Art Education

For the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education, a total of 132 semester hours is required. The Professional Educator License (PEL) for Secondary Education with a Visual Arts Endorsement is not automatically awarded upon successful completion of degree requirements. Before the license is issued, the candidate must file an application for the Illinois PEL with the UIC Council on Teacher Education. The candidate must also pass a series of examinations required by the Illinois State Board of Education. See the Council on Teacher Education website for more information.

After completing the Art First Year Program, students who meet or exceed a minimum 2.50/4.00 cumulative GPA and a 3.00/4.00 GPA in art courses may submit an application and portfolio to the Pre Art Education Program.

Admission into the Pre Art Education Program does not guarantee placement in the BFA in Art Education Professional Core sequence. At the end of the sophomore year at UIC (or transfer students who have completed first year course work and have a minimum of 60 or more hours applicable to the Art Education degree), students submit an application and portfolio as well as complete an interview with the Program Head of Art Education. Successful applicants will be enrolled in the Professional Art Education Core sequence.

Students are required to apply for admission to candidacy with the UIC Council on Teacher Education. The Visual Arts Content Area Test (145) must be passed before the candidate is allowed into practice teaching. The edTPA must be passed prior to applying for the Professional Educator License (PEL). For information on application procedures and testing schedules, contact the Council on Teacher Education located at 1333 S. Halsted, Suite 205. Also, see the Council on Teacher Education section of the catalog.

Students are required to maintain a 2.50/4.00 cumulative GPA, a 3.00/4.00 Art GPA, 2.50/4.00 Art Education sequence GPA, and 3.00/4.00 Education sequence GPA throughout the curriculum. For information on admission to the BFA in Art Education major, current portfolio deadlines, and submitting a successful portfolio, see the UIC School of Art and Art History website.

To earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education degree from UIC, students need to complete university, college, and school degree requirements. The BFA in Art Education degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.