Art Education is a Bachelor Degree program (100% Online) offered by Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA. The program takes 120 units to complete, with a total tuition of $163,920.
Program Overview
The Art education BFA program provides a pathway to becoming an art teacher in classrooms, museums, and community-based art programs. You will be exposed to a wide range of visual art and design media, developing both a breadth and depth of knowledge and skill. Through coursework and fieldwork, you will learn how to develop successful curricula and lesson plans for a wide range of audiences.
Our students don’t just learn to instruct, they innovate, expanding the possibilities of where and how art is shared. From classrooms to museums, community hubs to entrepreneurial ventures, we map four dynamic paths: school-based teaching, museum education, community practice, and teaching-as-business. These tracks are introduced in the first semester (ARE 105 and 601) and threaded throughout the curriculum, conceptually and practically.
For those pursuing the California Teaching Credential, our MAT and Credential programs meet state accreditation requirements and offer a pathway to paid teaching positions even before graduation.
What sets this Program apart
Inspire a new generation of artists. In our School of Art Education, you’ll tap into unparalleled creative resources while joining a global community of educators. All of your education courses are designed specifically for teaching art, while cross-university access allows you to deepen your practice through art and design classes in related fields.
Our curriculum emphasizes essential teaching strategies while being innovative, individualized, and built for real classrooms. Fieldwork is integral to our program. From school observations, student interviews, and practice teaching to internships and capstone projects, you’ll apply what you learn in live teaching environments. Technology is embedded throughout—established and emerging digital tools become part of your creative and instructional process. You’ll graduate with the tools, experience, and portfolio to guide others toward artistic fulfillment—and to define your place in the future of art education.
Online Learning Program. [img data-src="https://bpiqpjsgebtv-u1573.pressidiumcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Art-Ed-Online-Learning-scaled.jpg"]
Admission Requirements and Process
Academy of Art University maintains an inclusive admissions policy for all undergraduate programs. Previous experience with art and design is not required for admission, and students of all skill levels are encouraged to apply. Academy of Art University requires undergraduate applicants to have a high school diploma from an accredited or state-approved high school, or its equivalent. The university does not require or administer an ability-to-benefit examination for admission.
State authorization for online education.
Online education providers are required to seek authorization by many U.S. states and territories to enroll their residents and those physically located in their jurisdictions. Academy of Art University restricts enrollment for applicants in and from areas where online programs are not approved. Current and prospective students are encouraged to consult the university’s State Authorization for Distance Education Status Table to determine whether the Academy is authorized to offer their degree programs in the state where they will be located while taking online courses.
General Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalentAcademy of Art University requires undergraduate applicants to have a high school diploma from an accredited or state-approved high school, or its equivalent.
- Proof of secondary school completionSubmit an official or unofficial high school transcript indicating graduation or GED documentation, a transcript showing a conferred Associate or Bachelor’s degree, a signed Home…
- Application and feeComplete the undergraduate application and pay the $50 non-refundable application fee, which is required to process an application.
- Transcript deadlineTranscripts and/or diplomas must be received by the start of the student’s first semester at Academy of Art University.
- No portfolio requiredPrevious experience with art and design is not required for admission, and students of all skill levels are encouraged to apply.
- Transfer creditTransfer evaluation transcripts must be submitted by the end of the student’s first semester; coursework presented for transfer must be completed with a letter grade of "C" or…
Application Process
- 1Meet with an Admissions SpecialistSchedule a meeting with one of our admissions specialists. They’ll guide you to the school and program that best fits your goals and help you navigate the application process.
- 2Apply for admissionComplete the undergraduate application and pay the $50 non-refundable application fee. Provide your social security number on your admissions application so your financial aid can be processed.
- 3Submit proof of high school completionSend your high school transcript, GED documentation or other accepted proof of secondary school completion; it must be received by the start of your first semester.
- 4File the FAFSAComplete the FAFSA online at studentaid.gov and use Academy of Art University’s Federal School ID Number: 007531.FAFSA Code for San Francisco Campus: 007531
- 5Complete your financial aid planMeet with Student Financial Services to review your financial options, then accept or decline your financial aid awards in the Student Portal.
Program Schedule
Start dates. Spring 2027 semester starts 2/3/2027 (application deadline 1/25/2027); Summer 2027 starts 6/21/2027 (deadline 6/14/2027); Fall 2027 starts 9/8/2027 (deadline 8/30/2027).
Undergraduate students must carry a minimum study load of 12 units per semester to be considered as full-time students. Students are expected to attend summer semesters to meet their scheduled completion date.
Our online programs offer immersive classroom experiences both in real time and on demand.
- February 03rd, 2027
- June 21st, 2027
- September 08th, 2027
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Tuition. Undergraduate tuition for Fall 2026–Summer 2027 is $1,366 per unit for domestic students ($1,682 per unit for international students); tuition is the same for both on-campus and online classes. This 120-unit program’s tuition is $163,920 for domestic students.
Fees.
- Application Fee: $50 (one-time, nonrefundable)
- Registration Fee: $50 per semester (nonrefundable after the cancellation period)
- Enrollment Fee: $95 for first-term domestic students, charged in lieu of the $50 registration fee ($100 for international students)
- Student Activity Fee: $30 per semester, on-site only; waived for students taking all courses online
- Student Tuition Recovery Fund: $0
- Course fees vary by course; fees may be different for on-campus sections and online sections
- Materials/Supplies: $545 average per semester
Estimated total program cost for a full-time, onsite, domestic student (effective fall semester 2026): application fee $50, enrollment fee $95, registration fees $550, student activity fees $360, estimated course fees $3,689–$9,466, for an estimated $168,664–$174,441 due for the entire program.
Payment options. Academy of Art offers many different ways to help you structure your payments, including interest-free installment plans and pre-payment options. The installment plan enables students to pay their tuition in four separate payments during Fall and Spring and two separate payments for Summer.
Financial aid. Aid available to undergraduates includes Cal Grants for eligible California residents, Pell Grants (eligible undergraduate students, first AA/BA/BS/BFA, and eligible education certificate candidates), FSEOG, Federal Work Study, Direct Stafford Loans and Direct Parent PLUS Loans. Complete the FAFSA using Academy of Art University’s Federal School ID Number: 007531.
Military and veterans. The Academy processes the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33), the Yellow Ribbon Program, Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapters 30 and 1606), Veteran Readiness & Employment (Chapter 31), DEA (Chapter 35), Military Tuition Assistance and MyCAA.
Net Price Calculator. Estimate your cost with the Academy of Art University Net Price Calculator: https://npc.collegeboard.org/student/app/academyart
Living expenses. The cost of attendance budget includes the costs of tuition and fees, books, supplies, monthly allowances for room and board, transportation to and from school, and personal expenses such as clothes. Estimates of (Monthly) Living Expenses, 2026-2027:
- Food & Housing: $1,393 (student living with parents); $2,729 (student not living with parents); $4,133 (student living on campus, avg.)
- Personal Expenses: $507; $634; $441
- Transportation: $134; $184; $154
Federal student loan debt. From the program’s School Performance Fact Sheet:
- Most recent three year cohort default rate, as reported by the United States Department of Education: 2023: 0%; 2024: 0%.
- The percentage of enrolled students in 2023/2024 receiving federal student loans to pay for this program: 2023: 54%; 2024: 62%.
- The percentage of graduates in 2023/2024 who took out federal student loans to pay for this program: 2023: 60%; 2024: 40%.
- The average amount of federal student loan debt of 2023/2024 graduates who took out federal student loans at this institution: 2023: $14,395; 2024: $14,864.
Curriculum
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Degree – Core Classes.
This program is available online.
Unit Requirements.
- Pedagogy Core: 18 units
- Art & Design Core: 33 units
- Art & Design Electives: 24 units
- Liberal Arts: 45 units
- Total: 120 units
BFA Art Education Degree Requirements.
- Minimum grade of C- in all major coursework.
- Minimum 2.5 GPA and the following general education requirements:
- 3 Art Historical Awareness courses
- 1 Art & Design Communication course
- 1 Written Communication: Critical Thinking course
- 1 Comparative Art History course
- 1 U.S. Constitution course
- 1 Quantitative Literacy course
- 1 Employment Communications & Practices course
- After above general education requirements are met, take Liberal Arts electives as needed to fulfill the Liberal Arts unit requirement.
Program Learning Outcomes.
Undergraduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:
Art and Design Skills
- Create a portfolio of work representing a broad range of visual media as well as a specialized discipline of art / design
Teaching and Communication Skills
- Design effective art education curricula targeted to an intended audience with consideration for the needs of diverse learners
- Demonstrate appropriate applications of content standards such as the California Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade Visual Arts Standards
- Articulate the importance of art in education based on research, observation and experience
Visual Literacy
- Articulate the formal and expressive properties of works of art / design as well as their content, meaning and purpose
Knowledge of Human Development
- Articulate appropriate strategies for meeting the needs of all learners and learning styles with consideration for human developmental stages, cultural and linguistic diversity, physical and cognitive disabilities and accelerated learning in art education settings
Professional Readiness
- Demonstrate breadth and depth of accomplishment as an artist and art educator through a professional portfolio
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
Students in the Art Education program gain meaningful, real-world experiences that shape them into confident emerging educators. Their preparation includes:
- comprehensive exploration of the art education field
- complete fieldwork, capstone projects, and internships to put theory into practice
- produce curriculum to use in their teaching
- develop a professional online teaching portfolio and digital media to promote themselves and their work
- explore various career paths within the field, including schools, museums, community education, and entrepreneurship
Program performance. From the program’s School Performance Fact Sheet filed with the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (calendar years 2023 & 2024, revised November 25, 2025):
- On-Time Completion Rate: 2023: 11% (4 of 37 students available for graduation); 2024: 10% (6 of 62 students available for graduation).
- Placement Rate % Employed in the Field: 2023: 20% (1 of 5 graduates available for employment); 2024: 0% (0 of 5 graduates available for employment).
- License Examination Passage Rates: Not Applicable.
- Annual salary and wages reported for 2023 graduates employed in the field (1): $40,001 - $45,000: 1.
Graduation and retention rates (university-wide).
- 2026 Graduation Rates: Of the 437 students who entered the University during the fall 2019 semester as first-time, full-time freshmen in either the Bachelor, Associate, or Certificate programs, 146 or 33% completed the entire program within 150% of the normal time.
- Retention Rates – 2024 Cohort: All full-time first-time undergraduate students (134) in Fall 2024 re-enrolled in Fall 2025: 56%.
What to expect as a Academy of Art University student
Even if you are taking all of your Art Education classes online, your experience doesn’t have to stay virtual. You can live and study in our San Francisco dorms, taking courses across other art and design schools at the university, accessing professional studio spaces, and working with the same high-end technology used in the field.
Campus Address
Why Accreditation Is Important
Academy of Art University is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), currently on warning; its accredited status continues during the Warning period.
Approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
Accreditations
Student Demographics
These are demographics for all students at the San Francisco Campus (IPEDS, 2024).
Percentages are of total fall enrollment. 910 students whose race or ethnicity was not reported are included in that total but shown as no category, so the figures above come to 83.4% rather than 100%.
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