Master of Arts in Art Education

The Master of Arts in Art Education (MAAE) prepares students for a variety of roles in the art education sector with a theory-rich academic experience, rigorous research training and a hands-on field-based practicum.

Students specialize in one of three program streams that allow exploration of current methodologies relevant to specific art education practices.

• Applied Pedagogy in Art Education
• Museum and Curatorial
• Community-Based Practice

Applied Pedagogy in Art Education: designed for those seeking advanced knowledge in curriculum development and the teaching of art to a range of age groups including children, youth, adults, and older adults in a variety of contexts such as educational institutions, community centres, and youth facilities. This stream focuses on the development of best practices associated with human development and well-being.

Museum and Curatorial: designed for those seeking advanced practice and perspectives in the delivery of art education programming in informal educational settings such as art museums, galleries, heritage sites, and other organizations that offer immersive visitor experiences. This stream expands on conventional approaches to public engagement with collections and emphasizes Indigenous and radical curatorial approaches intended to reach diverse groups of visitors.

Community-Based Practice: designed for those seeking advanced learning in responsive art education pedagogy that is grounded in the needs and experiences of communities. This stream focuses on outreach, activism, and contextualized learning about art and culture in ways that support broad and equitable access to educational opportunities and collaborative program development.

MA in Art Education Students

The program will educate innovative artists, designers, curators, and educators while contributing to the creation of a culture that values diverse and creative learners.

To help develop a unique philosophy of teaching in art, students are encouraged to consider their own life experiences and connect their art and teaching practices with pedagogical theory, conceptual understanding and critical reflection. Courses model and develop socially responsible, exemplary teaching practices in and across art education contexts.

NSCAD Universitys MA in Art Education is not an approved program towards increasing teacher certification in Nova Scotia.

All degree students at NSCAD University must demonstrate the ability to write competently in English. Students meet this requirement by successfully completing FNDN 1800 Writing for the Arts, in the Foundation year. Students who attended another post-secondary institution before entering NSCAD may meet the writing requirement through transfer by demonstrating that they have previously completed studies in an English-speaking university program. Students must have studied at an English-speaking university and must have completed at least six credits of English courses or nine credits of liberal arts courses at a B- level or better to fulfill the requirement.

Students transferring from community colleges cannot meet the writing requirement through transfer except in circumstances where NSCAD University has a formal articulation or transfer agreements with a specific college in which meeting the writing requirement through transfer is provided for in the agreement. Students from other community colleges for which transfer is not possible, may register for a 2000-level liberal arts/art history course concurrently with FNDN 1800, but must successfully complete FNDN 1800 before taking other LAS/AHIS courses at NSCAD University or under NSCAD University auspices.