VAE GRADUATE STUDENT HANDBOOK
MASTERS OF ARTS DEGREEGRADUATE LICENSURE IN ART EDUCATION Department of Visual Art
Telephone: 785-864-4401 University of Kansas
DIRECTOR OF GRADUATE STUDIES Norman Akers
300 Art & Design Building Telephone: 785-864-4401 Email: [email protected] VAE GRADUATE COORDINATOR
Denise Stone
349 Art & Design Building Telephone: 785-864-1708 Email: [email protected] WEBSITE
http://art.ku.edu/programs/visual_art_education/
VAE ADVISORS Dr. John Derby
Dr. Elizabeth Kowalchuk Dr. Denise Stone
DEPARTMENT OFFICE
300 Art & Design Building 1467 Jayhawk Boulevard Lawrence, Kansas 66045-2344 Telephone: 785-864-4401 Revised January 2013
INTRODUCTION
The material contained in this handbook includes the requirements as specified by both Department of Visual Art and Graduate Studies. The Department of Visual Art offers the Masters of Arts (M.A.) degree in Visual Art Education. And within that program, students can pursue Graduate Licensure to teach in Kansas public schools, K-12 grades. This Graduate Student Handbook combines, in one document, information from multiple areas to assist students in understanding the requirements, procedure and standards of the M.A. degree.
Students should be knowledgeable of the graduate policies set forth by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Policies pertaining to enrollment, progress to degree, curriculum related issues, deadlines, and graduation are discussed at the following website address:
http://clas.ku.edu/coga/department/policies
Additionally, Graduate Studies provides important information about a variety of pertinent issues and should be consulted at the following address:
http://www.graduate.ku.edu/student-resources
It is the responsibility of graduate students to be fully informed of and abide by the regulations and policies to remain in good academic standing in the VAE Masterʼs Degree Program and achieve academic success. If a question arises that cannot be answered through the review of this Handbook, then students should contact their advisor.
Enrollment
Full time enrollment consists of nine credit hours, though many students in Visual Art Education, because they are employed full time, elect to take three to six credit hours per semester contingent upon their academic and professional considerations. It is the responsibility of students to be knowledgeable of enrollment dates and advising periods to stay in good standing in the Visual Art Education Program and avoid possible fees. Please consult the following KU website page for the academic calendar:
http://www.registrar.ku.edu/calendar/
MASTERʼS DEGREE
The Department of Visual Art has been authorized by the University and the Kansas Board of Regents to offer the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Visual Art Education. The Visual Art Education graduate program strives to advance studentsʼ understanding of art education with a complement of courses that explores historical studies of art education, art criticism, studio work, and aesthetics. An important goal of the curriculum is the development of a broad perspective of art education through multicultural studies, cognitive approaches in teaching and learning, assessment in teaching, and technological issues that arise in contemporary society. Studentsʼ programs are tailored to their interests for specialties in areas such as studio, art history, curriculum development, evaluation, and others. The M.A. in Visual Art Education program offers K-12 a Graduate Licensure track; students who are licensed, then can apply many of the graduate credits earned for Licensure toward the M.A. degree.
M.A. Degree Entrance Requirements (applies to GLP)
A graduate degree in art education represents professional advancement.
Personal commitment is important for this process to be successful, that is, an awareness and acceptance of the professional standards of the field of study.
Entrance into the M.A. degree program requires a bachelor's degree, from an accredited institution, which encompasses a minimum of 40 semester hours in studio courses (i.e. drawing, painting, sculpture, design, printmaking, ceramics, metalsmithing, weaving, lettering, commercial art, graphic design, constructive design, etc.), 9 hours in history of art, and 8 hours in Visual Art Education.
Applicants must have an overall undergraduate GPA > 3.00 on a 4-point scale.
Application Requirements (for both M.A. and Graduate Licensure students) GRE scores are not required.
Application Instructions
1. Apply online at the following website address:
http://www.graduate.ku.edu/apply
2. Additional materials listed below should be sent in one envelope to:
Norman Akers
Director of Graduate Studies
Art and Design Building, Room 300 1467 Jayhawk Blvd.
Lawrence, KS 66045-7535
• Visual Art Education Graduate Student Information Questionnaire - this enables the faculty to ascertain studentsʼ academic and professional goals and assists in the understanding of the candidateʼs ability to undertake masterʼs level study. Completion of the questionnaire is required for admission. It is located at the back of this handbook.
• Three letters of recommendations - applicants must send a minimum of three letters of recommendation from former or current instructors and/or those who are able to recommend you on the basis of professional experience (that is, principals, supervisors, and former employers). The letters of recommendation must address your potential to take initiative as a student and your ability to be a self-starter. Be advised that letters are not returned. Ask all references to send their letters directly to the Director of Graduate Studies, Norman Akers.
• Graduate Licensure applicants only PRAXIS I Test scores - Submit a copy of PRAXIS I Test scores (formerly known as the PPST). Carefully read the section concerning Graduate Licensure in Visual Art Education in this handbook. Please note that candidates must register at least a month in advance of the testing date. Test scores are sent within 10 to 15 business days. For information about the PRAXIS I, please go to the following KU website link:
http://www.testing.ku.edu/~testing/pbt/praxispaper.shtml Applicants must earn the following required scores for entry into the graduate program: 172 or higher on the Writing portion, 172 on the Mathematics portion, and 173 on the Reading portion.
Graduate application fees:
Costs Domestic
Fee
International Fee
Degree Seeking Paper Application Fee:(non-refundable processing fee in a check or money order in U.S. currency)
$55.00 $65.00 Non-Degree Seeking Paper Application: $30.00 $30.00 Applicants are responsible for sending all their materials to be processed by the deadlines below:
December 1 - spring admission May 1 - summer or fall admission
International Degree Seeking Applicants
The following must be included with application materials and sent to the Director of Graduate Studies:
A statement of financial resources. Immigration regulations require every international student to verify the availability of financial resources to pay for all education, living, and other expenses before the visa form is issued. The amount needed for the 2011-2012 academic year is US $25,829.00- first yearʼs tuition and expenses. This amount is subject to change without prior notice. Please see the International Degree-Seeking Application for Admission form for further details.
Proof of proficiency in the English language. This proficiency can be verified by:
• Verification that the applicantʼs native language is English, as shown to a high degree of probability by citizenship in an English-speaking country such as Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand or English speaking provinces in Canada.
• Graduation with a baccalaureate degree or higher from a program taught in English at an international institution. Verification of English instruction from the University is required as part of the application and must be included as part of the application package. Verification may be from a catalog or program description brochure or an official letter from a department chair, dean or other University official stipulating English language as the method of instruction. The program considering admission may also conduct a phone interview with the prospective student.
• Receipt of the applicantʼs TOEFL or IELTS (academic format) scores achieved no more than two years before the semester of admission.
• A total of 5.0 or higher on the Test of Written English (TWE) International English Language Testing System (IELTS), academic format: 6.0 or higher for each part and a total score of 6.5.
Admitted students will be required to take the Applied English Center Proficiency Test upon arrival at KU and may be required to enroll in one or
more Applied English Center courses. For the English proficiency policies, please go to:
https://documents.ku.edu/policies/InternationalPrograms/ EnglishProficienc
yInternationalUndergrad.htm
See also the Office of Graduate Studiesʼ information page at the following address:
http://www.graduate.ku.edu/06-01_eng_prof.shtml
Please note: Admission decisions cannot be made until all application materials have been received.
Possible Exception
1. Students who lack 12 or fewer hours in the required undergraduate course specifications will be admitted, if other requirements are met, but they must take sufficient undergraduate courses to compensate for their deficiency.
Note: Students who lack more than 12 hours of required undergraduate course specifications are not admissible as graduate students. They may enroll as special undergraduate students to compensate for their deficiency. Once the deficiency is removed, they will be considered for admission as graduate students if the other requirements are met.
Visual Art Education Student Responsibilities
Graduates students must be knowledgeable and informed of the regulations governing a graduate degree program. Students cannot claim ignorance of them.
Nor, maintain that they were not told of requirements. All students are responsible for following all policies, procedures, and meeting deadlines.
Therefore, it is imperative that graduate students become familiar with the Graduate Schoolʼs as well as the Visual Art Education M.A. degreeʼs
requirements. Up-to-date information can be obtained from the following address:
http://www.catalogs.ku.edu/graduate/
All graduate students must abide by the rules and regulations of the University of Kansas. These are available from:
http://www2.ku.edu/~distinction/cgi-bin/regulations16
Violations of rules and regulations may be followed by a warning, disciplinary probation, suspension, and expulsion.
M.A. Program Degree Requirements
The M.A. degree requires a minimum of 30 graduate hours (Exam Option 37 credits). At least 15 hours are in Visual Art Education and art. The student must earn 12 hours of the 15 hours selected in consultation with the advisor. Please refer to the University of Kansas Graduate Catalog for a complete listing and description of courses.
A total of 15 and no more than 18 hours should be taken in Visual Art Education and no more than 20 in fine arts. The remainder of coursework can be taken in related fields such the history of art, education, psychology, etc. This degree is appropriate for students desiring to improve his or her fine arts knowledge as well as research skills in art education. At least 20 of the 30 hours (Exam Option 37 credit hours) must be in regularly scheduled classes. Students must complete a master's thesis, masterʼs research project, or a written or oral exam.
Please note: Any undergraduate deficiencies arising from a lack of sufficient breadth in fine arts studio, history of art, or Visual Art Education will necessitate undergraduate coursework in addition to the graduate requirements.
Thesis and Project Options
The thesis and project options are designed for students who are interested in shaping a body of work in art education derived from original research and classroom. Students must have a strong academic background and excellent writing skills and realize that each requires concentrated time and focus with time investment spanning from roughly one several years. The thesis is especially suited to those who want to pursue a Ph.D. degree and a teaching career in higher education. Selection of option must be made in consultation with studentsʼ advisor taking into account academic and professional goals.
Thesis option. Students complete the core and elective requirements and implements an independent experimental, descriptive, historical, or philosophical investigation of some topic related to Visual Art Education. Copies of the thesis are deposited in the University library system. Thesis hours will be graded with a P signifying participation. In the credit hours toward a Masters degree the P remains until the last semester when a letter grade (A, B, C, D, or F) is given to designate the quality of the final product.
Project option. Students complete the core and elective requirements and documents the application of theory, principles, and/or products of Visual Art Education in a pedagogical setting. Project hours will be graded with a P signifying participation. In the credit hours toward a Masters degree the P
remains until the last semester when a letter grade (A, B, C, D, or F) is given to designate the quality of the final product.
Faculty committee. Students completing a Masterʼs thesis or project must form a committee comprised of three faculty members with at least two members of the University Graduate Faculty; two committee members shall come from the VAE faculty. Committee members will be selected and appointed on the basis of their knowledge in relationship to the thesis or project. Each student will recommend qualified graduate faculty members for appointment to his or her thesis or project committee. The advisor in conjunction with the student will make the final decision for committee membership. The committee chairperson shall also be the student's advisor and shall be the faculty member with whom the student is enrolled in thesis hours. Members of each thesis or project committee will serve following their appointment until the student graduates. After the initial appointment of the committee members and prior to enrollment in thesis or project hours, the student may request additional faculty appointments that must be approved by the advisor.
Exam Option
Students would take a total of 37 credit hours in required core and elective courses with 36 credits taken in regularly scheduled classes. The option is particularly suited to students who want to amplify their knowledge and skills in relationship to their teaching circumstances and goals. Students enroll in VAE 890 Preparation for the M.A. Examination (1 credit hour).
Timing of the exam. Students must complete all graduate coursework including the Visual Art Education core class prior to the exam. Students enroll in VAE 890 Preparation for the M.A. Examination (1 credit hour) and devote approximately 6 weeks of intensive study for the exam, which requires students to demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of current issues of the field. During the period of concentrated study, graduate students meet with their advisor on a weekly basis to discus their progress. Students receive their exam questions during the 7th week of the semester and complete them by the 14th week at which point, Visual Art Education faculty review submitted responses and determine whether students have passed the exam. Studentsʼ final grade is based on their preparation for the exam.
Graduate Licensure in Art Education (GLP)
Students who seek to be art teachers in the public schools K-12 may obtain licensure as part of the Masterʼs degree. The licensure track is designed for individuals with an especially strong academic and artistic background with a completed bachelorʼs degree in studio art, design art history, or other art-related
fields. The KU art education program prepares students for the comprehensive teaching of art (K-12). After the applicant meets all requirements for admission into the program, a detailed transcript analysis is made to determine the course of studies. All students complete a specified distribution of studio courses in art and substantial amount of study in art history based on a detailed transcript analysis of previously taken classes. Also, students complete an emphasis in a studio area. Individuals who hold undergraduate art degrees most likely will have had much of the necessary study in studio art and art history. They may also have met some of the general studies requirements. Coursework is taken at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Student Teaching. Upon completion of all required coursework and the support of a Visual Art Education advisor, students submit application for a field placement in a public school, K-12. The School of Education arranges all public school field placements and students enroll in VAE 500 (6 credit hours), “Student Teaching” and VAE 780 (9 credit hours), “Internship” for a total of 16 weeks of student teaching, K-12. Upon completion of the field work and achieving a passing score for the Kansas Portfolio of Teaching Performance, individuals will be recommended by the University for K-12 art licensure in Kansas and will have earned a significant amount of coursework required for the M.A. degree in art education.
Time Limits to Complete the Masterʼs Degree
Graduate Studies policy allows seven years for the completion of the M.A.
degree. Unforeseen circumstances may require a one-year extension. Graduate Studies has the authority to grant a one-year extension upon recommendation from M.A. committee and the departmentʼs recommendation. A one-year leave of absence can be obtained for newly licensed and hired art teachers. It is
imperative that students work closely with their advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies to submit the appropriate paperwork in a timely fashion. The website below provides the required procedures.
http://www.graduate.ku.edu/progresstodegreeforms Visual Art Education Advising
New students must consult with the Visual Art Education graduate coordinator for initial enrollment, unless prior arrangements have been made. A permanent advisor is then chosen to handle subsequent enrollments; he/she may suggest an alternate advisor in accordance with the studentsʼ interests.
Enrollment Procedures
For information and procedures for online enrollment, see:
http://www.registrar.ku.edu/enrollment/index.shtml
To obtain your online I.D., consult the following address:
http://www.kucard.ku.edu/
Grading
Graduate Studies uses a grading system that consists of: A, B, C, D, and F. Only grades of A and B are satisfactory passing grades. Students whose GPA is below 3.0 will be placed on probation. Therefore, grades of C or below are not satisfactory; and a grade of C- is not considered a passing grade; D and F
indicate failing graduate work. Grades of C-, D, or F, will not be applied to a degree. For additional information concerning grading and academic standing, refer to the online catalog at:
https://documents.ku.edu/policies/Graduate_Studies/grading.htm Application for Degree
Students must complete an Application for Degree (AFD form) the semester during which they expect to graduate. Submit an application online:
http://www.registrar.ku.edu/current/graduation.shtml#apply
Please contact the School of the Arts or the Office of the University Registrar, 785-864-4423, if you have any questions. If completion of the program is postponed, another form must be submitted otherwise graduation may be delayed.
Faculty John Derby Instructor
Department of Visual Art School of the Arts
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 351 Art & Design Building
(785) 864-5508 [email protected]
John Derby was recently assistant professor of Art Education. He earned his Ph.D. in art education from The Ohio State University, his M.A. in art education
from Brigham Young University, and his B.S. in education and B.F.A. in three- dimensional studies with emphases in sculpture and jewelry and metals from Bowling Green State University. Before earning his doctorate, he worked several years as a K–12 art teacher and three years as a metalsmith. Dr. Derbyʼs research interests include disability studies and interdisciplinary, social theory, and contemporary art and visual culture. He has published in the fieldʼs premier journal, Studies in Art Education.
Elizabeth Kowalchuk Associate Dean School of the Arts
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 200 Strong Hall
(785) 864-3661 [email protected]
Elizabeth A. Kowalchuk received her BFA in Drawing and Painting at the University of Georgia, an MFA in Painting from the University of Illinois, and a Ph.
D. in Art Education from The Ohio State University. An associate professor in the Visual Art Department, Dr. Kowalchuk was appointed associate dean of the newly formed School of the Arts in 2009. Dr. Kowalchukʼ s research efforts focus on how individuals learn about art and how others learn to teach it to students.
Most recently, she has been working with the Spencer Art Museum on an educational project involving cell phone audio tours of art in the museumʼs collection and on campus. In Spring 2009, Dr. Kowalchuk gave a paper presentation at the National Art Education Association that focused on the development of community identity and recognition of place through art and design. She has published her work in the major journals in the field.
Denise L. Stone Associate Professor Department of Visual Art School of the Arts
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 349 Art & Design Building
(785) 864-1708 [email protected]
Professor Stone received her Ph.D. in art education at the Florida State University and her M.Ed. in art education at the Pennsylvania State University.
She has had 10 years of teaching at the elementary and secondary levels in public and private schools. Dr. Stoneʼs research interests encompass museum education, museum-school relationships, and childrenʼs personal collections as they relate to museum practices. Her publications are included in Studies in Art
Education, Art Education, School Arts, The Journal of Museum Education, Curator, and Arts Education Policy Review. She published a book for Davis Publications in 2000 titled Using the Art Museum.
University of Kansas Visual Art Education Department of Visual Art School of the Arts
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
VISUAL ART EDUCATION
GRADUATE STUDENT INFORMATION QUESTIONNAIRE
Date: Proposed Starting Date:
Name:
Address:
Telephone:
Instructions: Please word-process responses to the items below. Your responses must accompany your graduate application for admission into the graduate program.
1. What course of study do you seek? Please only check one of the following:
[ ] M.A.
[ ] Graduate Licensure Program [ ] M.A. and Graduate Licensure
Note: Please see the M.A. handbook for specific information about these programs.
2. Write a two-page statement discussing your academic objectives, rationale for pursuing an advanced degree in Visual Art Education, and your reasons for seeking admission into this particular program at the University of Kansas.
3. Identify your qualifications for pursuing a Visual Art Education graduate degree. Provide specifics.
4. Discuss your abilities to take initiative. Provide recent and relevant examples from your academic and/or professional experiences.
5. Provide a brief overview of your professional accomplishments, excluding academic credentials.
