Being an artist-educator means not having to choose. Do both. Work as a professional artist and teach K-12 art to the next generation.
We believe art and education play vital roles in civil and democratic society and bring unique power to engage individuals in communities, The Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University in Philadelphia provides you with unparalleled opportunities to realize your potential.
You study art education inside a close-knit, vibrant and rigorous art school. You also enjoy access to all the opportunities and resources available at a top urban, R-1 research university in a major city that’s a center of creativity.
Thanks to the breadth of studio art disciplines taught at Tyler, you immerse yourself in a great variety of materials and methods. You gain fresh perspectives, rooted in art history, global cultures and art as professional practice.
At the same time, you learn and use educational strategies for introducing students of all ages to art itself.
Choose Tyler and build your leadership skills where arts, education and communities intersect.
Tyler offers a master’s degree in Art Education. Learn more about furthering your education here.
Consider these reasons to earn your art education degree at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture
Study art education within a renowned art school where you also develop your own studio art practice — not just at a university that happens to offer both art and education degrees.
Thrive in small classes with supportive artist-scholar peers and faculty-mentors who share your vision of art’s central place in communities.
Consider Philadelphia as part of your professional training ground, both in art and education, including sites for field placements.
Study here and work here after graduation thanks to robust job opportunities inside Pennsylvania and throughout the northeast region.
Take a variety of studio art classes to learn about and play with a variety of methods and materials.
Reach out to Tyler’s embedded admissions team with any questions or to get specific information you need.
Being an artist-educator in your community means not having to choose. You can do both. You can fulfill your unique artistic vision, and you can teach K-12 students and help foster their self-expression through art.
At Tyler, you’ll engage in transformative learning experiences that challenge your perspectives on art and its role in diverse communities. As you develop your artistic voice, you also gain valuable, transferable skills that are highly sought after across a wide range of careers.
In addition to art education and liberal arts courses, you will take these core studio classes as well as other options for your electives
Tyler maintains strong connections to schools and community organizations. This links you directly to students, local leaders and professional networks that create the foundation for your education and your future career.
Community arts projects might be narrative storytelling art works, videos and performances informed by oral histories or engaging with the community to develop arts-based real-world solutions to contemporary challenges.
Every semester Tyler showcases the works of K – 12 art students, taught by Tyler pre-service teachers in our Art of Student Teaching exhibition.
Take advantage of Philadelphia’s rich cultural offerings, including museums, galleries and open-studio events hosted by local artists.
Get all the details about the bachelor’s degree in art education, including Tyler’s required courses and electives as well as other liberal arts and general education classes available from Temple University. In most cases, students need 5 years to complete the required 155 credits.
We asked our alumni to share insights into their careers and other success stories about their time at Tyler and beyond.
"My current career in commercial real estate financing is a world away from my former career in K through 12 art education, but if one pays attention, it's not far removed at all. Teaching taught me selflessness, leadership, managing people and strengthening my intuition. Specifically, being an art and design educator reinforced the transferable skills that the arts teach — all of which have become an asset in my personal and professional life. I owe this to the Tyler School of Art and Architecture Art Education program and my professors."
"My experience at Tyler revealed the profound impact of mentorship. Professors didn’t just teach—they took you under their wing, offering guidance that extended far beyond the classroom. It was never a sterile academic exchange; their genuine care for our growth was palpable. Many of these mentors have remained part of my life, continuing to influence the direction of both my personal and professional journey. My time at Tyler helped me realize that both my life and career could take on limitless forms. Studying abroad, engaging in practicum experiences throughout Philadelphia, and cultivating a sense of wonder sparked a deep curiosity that continues to guide my questioning and exploration."
Here are a few answers to common questions about the art education programs at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture.
Throughout the program, you complete several types of field placements, mentored by an art teacher from our vast network. These experiences teach you valuable classroom management, organizational skills and pedagogy and build strong relationships with students and the community.
For example, Tyler places you with an art teacher one day a week for a semester where you shadow and assist in an art classroom.
During your final semester, you complete your full-time student teaching placement under the tutelage of one of our cooperating teachers. This opportunity gives you the chance to take over the classroom and teach lessons you develop for the entire semester.
Many of Tyler’s art education graduates go on to earn their Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate in Art, K-12, by getting passing scores in the Praxis I and II National Teacher Examinations, Elementary Education: General Knowledge, and the Art Education Examinations.
Other options include teaching art to students of all ages through community centers or even at resorts or on cruise ships.
Yes. When you take studio art classes at Tyler, you will use the materials and spaces in our art building.
In addition, Temple’s Loretta C. Duckworth Scholars’ Studio in the Charles Library provides spaces, resources, and technology to support your research and creative work.
Meet your faculty-mentors from Tyler’s art education degree program. In addition to teaching your courses, they model the strategies and skills needed for a career as an art educator.
Read the latest news about the art education faculty, current students and alumni.
In addition to Tyler’s specialized admissions team, you’re welcome to contact the art education degree program leadership.
Professor and Program Head of Art Therapy
Chair, Art Education and Community Arts Practices Department
