Art Education Option, A.F.A. - Studio Arts

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Students enrolled in the Art Education Option Program acquire strong knowledge and skills through both Studio Arts and Art Education curricula employing a wide range of 2D and 3D as well as digital and graphic design media and processes. Students gain a conception of art education that integrates art making, art history, visual culture, art criticism, philosophies of art, art education theory, social-justice influences, and community-based artistic engagements. Also addressed in the curriculum are the ways interdisciplinary aspects of art education can affect societal beliefs, values, and behaviors.

Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

Exhibit a competency to lead visual art activities for children or adults.
Exhibit knowledge of art history, art curriculum, and program development.
Demonstrate the ability to design an individualized course of study that explores ways of reaching art students in and through the arts.
Demonstrate through art education the intrinsic societal value of the visual arts.
Demonstrate analytical skills and explore relationships of the arts to other sectors in education.
Create a portfolio of visual art exercises to be used in classes.

First Year

Fall Semester

COLL 101 - Foundations for Success Credits: 3
ENGL 101 - English Composition I Credits: 3
ARTA 103 - Art History I Credits: 3
ARTA 101 - Basic Design Credits: 3
GTEC 000 - Technology Gen Ed Requirement Credits: 3

Total Semester Hours: 15

Winter Session

Spring Semester

ENGL 102 - English Composition II Credits: 3
ARTA 104 - Art History II Credits: 3
ARTA 108 - Basic Drawing Credits: 3
ARTA 110 - Color Theory and Application Credits: 3
EDUC 202 - Historical and Philosophical Patterns in Education Credits: 3

Total Semester Hours: 15

Summer Session

Second Year

Fall Semester

PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3
ARTA 115 - Three Dimensional Design Credits: 3
ARTA 150 - Life Drawing I Credits: 3
ARTA 175 - Ceramics I Credits: 3
ARTA 180 - Painting I Credits: 3

Total Semester Hours: 15

Winter Session

Spring Semester

SOCA 101 - Intro. to Sociology Credits: 3
EDUC 286 - Principles & Practices of Teaching as a Profession Credits: 3
PSYC 280 - Educational Psychology Credits: 3
ARTA 260 - Portfolio Development Credits: 3
ARTA 002 - Studio Art Elective Credits: 3

Total Semester Hours: 15

Summer Session

Total Program Hours: 60

Studio Art Elective Courses (Recommended)

Recommended courses listed below but student can also choose from any ARTA, PHOT or ARTA/PHOT designations

ARTA 135 - Alternative Processes in Photography Credits: 3

Technology General Education Courses

Choose from the list of approved General Education courses in the College catalog.

Developmental Courses

Sussex has embraced a practice of directed self-choice whereby students are encouraged, through guided conversations with an advisor, to best determine their readiness for this course. Students should be aware that Developmental Studies exist and are available to help strengthen skills and encourage success. Pursuing testing and/or developmental courses is entirely up to the student. Further, testing, though providing a valuable reference point for reflection, does not create for the student an obligation to follow Accuplacer recommendations.

The exception to this is where students seek enrollment in higher-level math courses. Students wishing to enroll in the following math courses are required to take and adhere to placement guidance from, the Advanced Algebra and Functions test, as part of Accuplacer, through the college’s testing center, for admission into any of the following courses: MATH 110, MATH 112, and MATH 113. Please note, courses in other disciplines may also require advanced mathematics placement. Students should check with their advisor.