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.