Master of Arts in Teaching

The Corcoran’s 60-credit Master of Arts in Teaching program is philosophically rooted in each student’s experience of making, critiquing, and interpreting art. This program’s focus is not limited to schools and K-12 art education, but encompasses the adult learner population as well as the impact art education has in community and museum settings. MAT students discover first-hand how humans of all ages learn and develop through the visual arts. This program is socially engaged, with a progressive curriculum designed for future art educators who are determined to form a solid bridge between the personal experiences of art and its capacity to enrich both the individual and greater community. We seek applicants interested in broadening the traditional concept and research of art education. The academic and artistic backgrounds of our student body are broad and varied. We welcome this diversity as it adds to the richness and variety of our program. Students pursuing licensure complete the requisite studio coursework for certification to teach in the District of Columbia.

Gain Real World Experience

The program is designed to support career development with a required educational internship or school placement, and a graduate-level research thesis. All students participate with Corcoran student/faculty teams in a variety of school, community, partnership programs starting in the sophomore year.

Sample Courses

Art + Science: Developing Creativity—Learn to integrate art education with core academics to enhance learning for students.

Art Across Curriculum—Explore the dynamic relationship between visual culture and formal learning in history, social studies, language arts, math, and science.

Digital Media for Educators—Get acquainted with educational technology for presentation. Learn to search and assess existing multi-media teaching resources in art, adapt resources for new programs and create simple projects for students using basic desktop publishing software.

Sample Curriculum*

Required Courses

Graduate Art Education Core
Graduate Studio Core
Education Proseminar I & II
Field Experiences

Other Required Courses

Development, Behavior and Learning
Sociology of the Family
Art in Museums and Communities
Classroom and Activity Management
Digital Media for Art Educators
Evaluation & Assessment of Programs
Art and Adolescents OR Art and Learners to Age 12 Art and Special Education Thesis Seminar I & II Student Teaching OR Art Education Internship

Education Electives

Digital Media for Educators
Art Therapy Orientation for Educators
Art Across the Curriculum
Art, Cultural, and Character Education
Contemporary Issues: Education Policy and Visual Art
Art and Lifelong Learning
Math in Art/Art in Math
Art and Science: Developing Creativity
Evaluation, Programs Assessment, and Criteria of Quality
Studio Based Teaching and Learning
Social Justice and Art Education
Public Interpretation of the Arts

Studio electives from among any graduate level offering are also offered.

*Courses subject to change

Art Education Faculty

Rebecca Alberts
Adjunct Faculty

Ann Allen
Adjunct Professor

Debra Ambush
Dr. Debra Ambush

Raya Bodnarchuk
Associate Professor

Peter Bottger
Adjunct Instructor

Adrienne D'Angelo
Visiting Lecturer

Amy Aden Dunn
Adjuncy Faculty

Judith Gravitz
Adjunct Faculty

Selila Honig
Associate Faculty

Pamela Lawton
Director of Education Studies

Maria Marable-Bunch
Adjunct Faculty

Donna McKee
Adjunct Faculty

Marla McLean
Adjunct Faculty

George Rathbone
Adjunct Faculty

Judy Southerland
Associate Faculty

Annie V.F. Storr
Associate Professor, Director of Education Assessment

Examples of Student Work

Related Student Groups and Organizations

Apply Today!

Director of Education Studies: Pamela Lawton (contact); meet Pam at Corcoran People