Art or Music Education Gr K-12
The arts are such an important part of children's development and overall learning experience — they truly add another dimension to children's education. The value of an arts education is immeasurable.
If you're interested in teaching art or music, it's probably because the arts were such an enormous part of your life. Now, you have the chance to share the joy of creating and performing with other children and young adults.
Our art or music education degree program has three concentrations: art education, instrumental music education, and vocal music education — all for grades K-12.
This program prepares its students for licensure or certification within the state of Louisiana. Please visit the list of licensure programs for important information if you plan to move out of state.
Art Education concentration
The art education concentration is a professional degree program, offered in conjunction with the College of Arts, offering you a major in art education that leads to teaching certification in art.
The program prepares you to be a reflective, competent, socially responsive educator and will provide you with informed, authentic, and meaningful experiences in visual arts. The art education concentration works from the premise that making art and teaching art are both creative acts that demand personal investment, an unquenchable desire to learn, knowledge of your discipline, and an ongoing development of individual and communal art making endeavors that spark imagination and illuminate possibility for you and others.
The art education concentration envisions teaching as important life’s work that requires an informed and intuitive understanding of learners, a genuine desire to inspire rather than impose knowledge, an understanding of historical and contemporary art and artists, knowledge of wide range of studio processes, and hands-on opportunities to design and apply instruction. In addition, it is recognized that art education theory and practice must be continuously revisited and reflected upon in order to be relevant to the contemporary lives of learners in ever-changing worlds.
Finally, the program also emphasizes the importance of having a strong understanding of national, state, and local art standards, current technological innovations, and resources offered through involvement with professional organizations such as the National Art Education Association.
Upon completion of the entire program, you will receive certification through the Louisiana Department of Education to teach Art or Music Education Gr K-12. See Praxis Requirements for certification.
Instrumental Music Education concentration
The instrumental (band or orchestra) music education concentration is a professional degree program, offered in conjunction with the College of Arts, offering you a major in art or music education with a concentration in instrumental (band or orchestra) music education that leads to certification as a school band or orchestra director.
The instrumental (band or orchestra) music education concentration is open to students on any band or orchestra instrument. Graduates in this area typically have contracts with public school systems, or return to graduate school to further their training.
Upon completion of the entire program, you will receive certification through the Louisiana Department of Education to teach Art or Music Education Gr K-12. See Praxis Requirements for certification.
Vocal Music Education concentration
The vocal music education concentration is a professional degree program, offered in conjunction with the College of Arts, offering you a major in art or music education with a concentration in vocal music education that leads to certification as a school choral director.
The vocal music education concentration is open to vocalists. Graduates in this area typically have contracts with public school systems, or return to graduate school to further their training.
Upon completion of the entire program, you will receive certification through the Louisiana Department of Education to teach Art or Music Education Gr K-12. See Praxis Requirements for certification.