Art Education is a Master Degree program (100% Online) offered by Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA. The program takes 60 units to complete, with a total tuition of $93,060.
Program Overview
MFA students develop breadth and depth of art skill in a variety of media to develop a comprehensive art portfolio while exploring the theory, history, and practices of art education. Students learn strategies for implementing technology into their teaching, supporting students with diverse needs, and gain first-hand experience through guided fieldwork and internship. Students will complete their graduate studies by developing and implementing an original art education program that showcases their art and teaching skills, and professional readiness.
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
The Academy requires graduate applicants to demonstrate their ability and intent to complete a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA) or Master of Architecture program (M. Arch.). After submitting the application form and application fee, graduate applicants must submit a statement of intent, a résumé, college transcripts showing completion of at least a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent, and a portfolio/reel. Upon receiving all application requirements, the department will review and will recommend that the student be accepted, not accepted or allowed to enroll in Graduate Preparatory Coursework.
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
- Bachelor’s degreeTranscripts must show completion of at least a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent; you must submit official or unofficial transcripts from the institution from which you graduated.
- Application and feeSubmit the graduate application form and the $50 non-refundable application fee.
- Statement of IntentSubmit an explanation of Graduate School goals and desired outcomes of the graduate degree in a one page, typed essay.
- RésuméSubmit an itemized list of educational and professional experience.
- Portfolio/ReelA body of work representing the chosen discipline is required for class placement in the graduate program; additional materials may be required by the specific departments.
- Department reviewUpon receiving all application requirements, the department will review and will recommend that the student be accepted, not accepted or allowed to enroll in Graduate Preparatory…
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 admissionSubmit the graduate application form and the $50 non-refundable application fee.
- 3Send your supporting documentsSubmit your Statement of Intent, résumé and college transcripts showing completion of at least a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent.
- 4Submit your portfolio/reelSubmit a body of work representing your chosen discipline; registration for the appropriate classes is based on the skills demonstrated in the portfolio/reel.
- 5Department reviewThe department reviews your application and recommends that you be accepted, not accepted or allowed to enroll in Graduate Preparatory Coursework.
- 6File 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
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).
Graduate students must carry a minimum study load of 9 units 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. Graduate & Art Teaching Credential tuition for Fall 2026–Summer 2027 is $1,551 per unit for domestic students ($1,857 per unit for international students); tuition is the same for both on-campus and online classes. This 60-unit program’s tuition is $93,060 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 $300, student activity fees $210, estimated course fees $2,141–$5,154, for an estimated $95,856–$98,869 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. Federal aid available to Academy of Art University graduate students includes Federal Work Study, Direct Stafford (unsubsidized) Loans and Direct Graduate 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: *; 2024: *.
- The percentage of graduates in 2023/2024 who took out federal student loans to pay for this program: 2023: *; 2024: *.
- 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
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Degree – Major Classes.
This program is available online.
Unit Requirements.
- Major: 24 units
- Directed Study: 18 units
- Graduate Liberal Arts: 3 units
- Studio: 15 units
- Total: 60 units
MFA Art Education Degree Requirements.
- Successful completion of Final Capstone Project
- Minimum grade of C in all required 60 units
- Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and the following Academic Study requirement:
- 1 Art Historical Awareness & Aesthetic Sensitivity course
- 1 Cross Cultural Understanding course
Program Learning Outcomes.
Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:
Art and Design Skills
- Produce artwork representing skills in a broad range of creative media (midpoint only).
- Produce a body of professional-level artwork demonstrating personal vision, rigor, and cohesiveness (final only).
Teaching and Communication Skills
- Design effective art education curricula targeting specific audiences with consideration for the needs of diverse learners.
- Demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge of sound instructional strategies based on content standards in the visual arts, key contemporary art theories and experiences in the field.
- Demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge for appropriate uses of technology in art education settings.
- Articulate the importance of art in education based on advanced levels of research, observation, and experience.
Visual Literacy
- Articulate the formal and expressive properties of works of art and design as well as their content, meaning and purpose at an advanced level.
Knowledge of Human Development
- Demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge of human developmental stages and their application to learners’ cognitive, social, emotional, and physical abilities in art education settings.
- Demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge of learners' diverse linguistic and cultural needs in art education settings.
- Demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge of learners with special needs (physical, cognitive, gifted, etc.) in art education settings.
MFA Capstone Project
- Propose an original art education capstone concept worthy of the MFA degree (midpoint only).
- Develop a capstone project based on research that demonstrates advanced levels of analysis, insight, design, and methods based on the distinctive needs and characteristics of art education settings and audiences (final only).
- Implement and document an original art education capstone project that demonstrates depth of art skill and application of educational theory and best practices (final only).
Professional Readiness
- Demonstrate professional-level presentation skills appropriate to art education settings.
- Demonstrate an advanced level of 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: *; 2024: *.
- Placement Rate % Employed in the Field: 2023: *; 2024: *.
- License Examination Passage Rates: Not Applicable.
* = This program is new. Therefore, the number of students who graduate, the number of students who are placed, or the starting salary you can earn after finishing the educational program are unknown at this time. Information regarding general salary and placement statistics may be available from government sources or from the institution, but is not equivalent to actual performance data. This program began on 4/5/2025. As of 12/01/2029, two full years of data for this program will be available.
Graduation and retention rates (university-wide).
- Graduate Students (Full-time): % of all incoming full-time students (503) in Fall 2019 graduated in 5 years: 75%.
- Retention Rates – 2024 Cohort: All incoming full-time graduate students (199) in Fall 2024 re-enrolled in Fall 2025: 81%.
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%.
Testimonials
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