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Inspire young students through art
Combine your passions for art, social justice and teaching with DePaul’s master’s degree in Visual Art Education (MA/MEd). This program prepares you to teach PreK-12 students while empowering you to become a strong advocate for the arts. At DePaul, the arts play a vital role in shaping future leaders who are creative, empathetic and innovative. Supported by the James P. Duignan Endowed Chair for Arts Education, our Visual Art Education program ensures a lasting impact on the next generation of educators and artists.
This one-of-a-kind program collaborates with Stockyard Institute, a Chicago-based arts project that partners with local artists, educators, university students, alumni, activists and community members to foster creative engagement across the city. Our close relationship with the
DePaul Art Museum further enhances your experience through
The Learning Studio initiative, where students contribute to museum-based educational programs, curriculum development and community outreach.
Through hands-on experiences in diverse school settings, you'll work alongside expert art educators, gaining the knowledge and practical skills to make a meaningful impact on students' lives through the transformative power of arts education. Our program provides students and alumni with the resources they need to thrive as an art teacher.
This program can be completed in two years. Students will obtain a Master’s Degree in Visual Art Education (MA/MEd) with a license to teach visual art in grades Pre K-12. Courses will usually be in the evenings on the Lincoln Park Campus, unless students are in the
Chicago Teacher Residency (CTR) program.
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Study and work in the heart of Chicago
Experience the future of education in Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the fourth-largest school district in the U.S. Join our exclusive partnerships and unlock opportunities to collaborate with skilled faculty and gain hands-on experiences before student teaching. Plus, benefit from our strong reputation in Chicago and beyond, as well as our partnership with the CTR program.
Application Deadlines
Applications are reviewed on a continuous basis. Priority deadlines for scholarships are as follows:
| Enrollment Quarter |
Domestic Student Deadline |
International Student Deadline |
| Fall |
August 15 |
June 15 |
| Winter |
December 1 |
October 15 |
| Spring |
March 1 |
January 15 |
| Summer |
June 1 |
April 15 |
Admission Requirements
Submit an online application, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, résumé and a personal statement.
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Required Courses
You’ll complete a total of 17 courses plus field experiences and student teaching.
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92%
of master’s graduates from the College of Education were employed, continuing their education or pursuing other goals within six months of graduation.
One-of-a-kind leader in art education
You’ll learn from faculty members like Associate Professor
Jim Duignan, who is passionate about inspiring young people to advocate for the arts while using it as an extension of their practice. For over 30 years, he has been committed to the College of Education, and his name will forever be part of the visual art education program with the creation of the James P. Duignan Endowed Chair for Arts Education. His work and research is multidisciplinary and recognized by a variety of organizations, including Artadia, the City of Chicago, A Blade of Grass Foundation and the Art Institute of Chicago.
“In the program, I had the opportunity to participate in many international community projects, and I continue to incorporate service and solidarity in my lessons. I have been able to maintain a collaborative relationship with my mentor on myriad youth-based community arts projects. These have taken me many places I would never have imagined going.”
Lavie (MEd ’99)
English and History Teacher, Oak Park River Forest High School
Adjunct Professor, Art Institute of Chicago
Alumni Network
Our alumni community is over 210,000 strong, and more than 125,000 of those Blue Demons still live in the Chicago area. In this program, you’ll be placed where we have strong alumni ties and be able to connect with mentors. The College of Education keeps its alums in the loop with professional development workshops and other useful resources.
Scholarships
Graduate school is an investment in your future. Learn more about scholarship opportunities available to you.
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Contact Information
For more information about applying, contact The Office of Graduate Admission for DePaul’s College of Education at
(773) 325-4405 or
edgradadmissions@depaul.edu.
Take the next step
We’ll send you information about the degree, admission requirements and upcoming info sessions. Let’s get started.
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