Complete Guide on How to Become an Art Teacher in 2024
If you've always loved to draw and create, you might look at all of your career options and begin to wonder how to become an art teacher. Teachers are incredibly important figures in the lives of their students, and becoming an art teacher allows you to express your own creativity while helping your students learn more about art.
According to Learn.org, the role of art teacher is on track to show a 7 to 10% growth rate in the coming years, which means there is room for new people to join the exciting and meaningful field of education.
The truth is, we always need good teachers to care for their students, and the benefits of arts education can’t be overstated. Teaching can be a difficult job, but seeing your students grow in their appreciation of art is a more wonderful feeling than receiving a desk full of teacher appreciation gifts!
If you’re ready to start on the path of becoming an art teacher, you probably have lots of questions. How do I start as an art teacher? What qualifies as an arts teacher? Even though the pathway to teacher certification can be a bit confusing, there are some key requirements we can share with you.
It can be a difficult pathway to navigate, but the end result is completely worth it. This guide will offer you some helpful tips and ideas for making your dream of being an art teacher come true.
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- How Long Does it Take to Become an Art Teacher
- How to Become an Art Teacher with a BFA
- How to Become an Art Teacher Without a Degree
- High School Art Teacher Requirements
- How to Become an Art Teacher for Elementary School
- How to Become an Art Teacher in Missouri
- How to Become an Art Teacher in Tennessee
- How to Become an Art Teacher in Texas
- How to Become an Art Teacher in Illinois
- How to Become an Art Teacher in NY
How Long Does it Take to Become an Art Teacher?
Everyone’s journey to being an art teacher looks different, but one of the core requirements to teach in the public school system (and most private schools) in the US is a bachelor’s degree. Most degree programs take a minimum of four years to complete.
During your program, you'll spend up to two years taking general education courses before moving on to your major courses. Your pathway might take longer if you decide to attend graduate school.
After completing your degree, the next step is to take the state licensing tests that are required. If you're attending a bachelor’s degree program in education, they will make you aware of the test dates and possibly even proctor the tests on campus for their students.
If you are not an education major, be sure that you do your research ahead of time so that you know what tests are required and when they're offered. Typically, education licensing tests are only offered a few times a year, so if you miss one testing date, you will have to wait a few months for the next one.
Once you’ve passed your tests, you'll need to apply for your teaching certificate. Each state does this slightly differently, so be sure to do your research!
Once you have that certificate, the only remaining element is to find a job! Keep in mind that schools have fewer art teachers than core subject teachers, so there are fewer jobs on the market.
For the best results, start searching for jobs in the first few months of the year, as that is when schools are sending out contracts and figuring out which teachers will be returning.
Don’t give up if you don’t get a job in February, though! Keep searching job boards, as sometimes schools will have unexpected vacancies right as the school year begins in the Fall!
What Degree is Best For An Art Teacher?
If you’d like to become an art teacher, you might find yourself asking “What degree is best for an art teacher?” The good news is that there is some flexibility here. Some colleges and universities offer degrees specifically in art education, which is always a great option as it provides you with an education on the art side of things and also teaches you the psychology and history of education.
Other pathways might include earning your BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) in fine arts or art history while earning a minor in education to learn more about best teaching practices. Some future art teachers even opt to attend graduate school.
If your Bachelor’s degree is in art, you might choose to earn a Master’s degree in education to round out your skills to make you stand out in the interview process. The pathway you choose will probably depend on your career goals and what age level of students you are interested in working with.
Where are Art Teachers Most in Demand?
Teacher shortages have been an increasing issue in recent years. If you’re looking for an art teaching job, consider states like California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and Ohio, which have reported some of the highest shortages.
If none of those are your home state, or if you don’t want to move, don’t worry! Teaching jobs are available in all 50 states; it just might take some patience to find the perfect place!
What is an Average Art Teacher Salary?
The average art teacher salary is hard to determine, as so much goes into teacher salaries around the country. Typically, you can expect an art teacher’s salary to be determined by a few key elements.
First, the base salary of the school system to which you are applying. Second, the level of experience you have as a teacher. Third, any advanced degrees you may hold. Finally, teachers can often earn stipends by coaching or sponsoring clubs as a way to earn extra money.
Across the United States, art teacher salaries range from $38,000 to $65,000 depending on these factors. Teachers who have been teaching for a long time with advanced degrees may see higher salaries than this.
The Best Art Teacher Certification Online
If you are searching for art teacher certification online, there are a few options you can choose from. First, if you already have a degree in art, you can find programs that will supplement your existing degree and earn an additional certificate that will help you meet your state’s licensing requirements. These programs often include the educational psychology and methods courses that another degree program wouldn’t offer.
The other online option for aspiring art teachers would be to attend an online degree program in education that helps you further your teaching goals. Keep in mind that many education programs do require in-person fieldwork, even if the degree program itself is virtual or online.
How to Become an Art Teacher with a BFA
If you have earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (BFA), you might wonder if that degree is enough to earn you the role of art teacher in your local school system. It’s important to check into your state’s teaching requirements because each state requires future teachers to pass licensing examinations that allow them to earn their teaching certificate.
If your BFA coursework didn’t contain a teacher-education component, you might have to take more tests to show that you are capable of managing the classroom environment and using up-to-date teaching methods. You can look at websites like Teach.com to find the state-by-state licensing requirements.
How to Become an Art Teacher Without a Degree
Can you teach art without a degree? Every state in the USA requires at least a bachelor’s degree to be able to teach. If you don’t have a degree but still want to teach, you can investigate other pathways, like options to teach art at your local community centers, religious institutions and summer camps. These might not require you to have a college degree!
High School Art Teacher Requirements
If your goal is to work with older students as they turn into artists themselves, you should consider being a high school art teacher. Because high school art classes are often elective classes, you might end up working with a smaller group of students who are more focused on their artistic endeavors.
Many future high school art teachers choose to earn a degree in fine arts or in art history and minor in education. As your students get older, the techniques they will be using as they learn to paint or learn photography are more involved. You will need a stronger understanding of art theory and history rather than a deeper understanding of educational psychology.
How to Become an Art Teacher for Elementary School
If you are full of clever and creative art ideas that are perfect for elementary school children, you might consider being an art teacher for elementary school. Working with younger students can sometimes be challenging, but their enthusiasm and engagement are wonderful to see!
For this pathway to becoming an art teacher, it's probably best to earn a bachelor’s degree in education, as there will be more direct instruction happening in your classroom. You will need to understand how those young minds work before you can help them create beautiful artwork!
How to Become an Art Teacher in Missouri
Missouri has specific requirements for coursework based on the ages you’d like to teach. You are required to attend a teacher preparation program or earn a provisional/probationary certificate while you complete the required education courses.
Missouri also requires a few different tests, like the MoGEA to attend a teacher preparation program and the Missouri Educator Gateway Assessments to become certified. Learn more by visiting the Missouri Department of Education’s website!
How to Become an Art Teacher in Tennessee
To become a teacher in Tennessee, you'll have the best results by completing a teacher education program to earn certification. There are no specific courses that are required, and often students who have attended college in a neighboring state can earn a Tennessee certificate by proving that their out-of-state degree meets the requirements.
The examinations in Tennessee are all part of the Praxis series of tests, which test your educational knowledge as well as your content-area knowledge, in this case, art! Visit the State Department of Education’s website to learn more.
How to Become an Art Teacher in Texas
In the educational world, Texas is known for having its own unique set of requirements for future teachers. For most teacher certifications, they require a teacher prep program with lots of coursework and at least 30 hours of fieldwork prior to graduation.
The Texas Education Agency is in charge of all the required examinations, so be sure to do your research so you know which to take in pursuit of your dream job as an art teacher!
How to Become an Art Teacher in Illinois
Along with an accredited degree program and educator training, Illinois requires future teachers to take state-specific exams. The first is the Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) Test of Academic Proficiency, and the second is the ILTS Content-Area Test, which will test your knowledge of artistic methods, history and practice.
How to Become an Art Teacher in NY
Like other states in the U.S., New York requires educational coursework and a bachelor’s degree along with a certification program that can be either online or in person. Keep in mind that if you attend a university in New York and major in education, you will probably meet those certification requirements without having to do anything extra!
This is true for just about every state in the U.S. New York’s exams for future teachers include the Educating All Students (EAS) test, as well as edTPA, which is an assessment used by many other states that includes testing, creating a portfolio and submitting recorded clips of yourself teaching.
After reading about the sometimes complicated pathway to becoming an art teacher, doesn’t it make you want to go out and buy some gifts for teachers?
These dedicated individuals have worked hard to earn their spot in the classroom, and one day you could be there, too, investing in the lives of your students and shaping them into the future artists of tomorrow.
For even more fun art experience ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
