Frequently Asked Questions

The following types of studio work can be accommodated: Drawing, ceramics, new media, painting, photography, printmaking, and video.

Students will take part in a capstone project, giving them the opportunity to exhibit their work in the final semester of the program.

Graduates who already hold NYS initial certification and who meet other requirements for professional certification may use this master's degree to apply for professional certification on their own. Those interested in teaching in New York State should review the requirements for the NYS Professional Certification Visual Artist. Out-of-state applicants should check with their Department of Education.

We use the descriptor “hybrid” to signify that students can complete the program while continuing to work by taking a combination of online courses during the academic year and on-campus courses during the Summer Residencies.

“Cohort-based” means that you and your peers begin the program together in the first part of the summer (Summer A, online) and continue as a group in the Summer Residency (Summer B), and you learn together in many courses, online and on campus, for the duration of the program. This model enhances learning, fosters creativity, builds life skills, and creates a sense of community. Students form bonds that often lead to lifelong friendships, as well as professional opportunities.

As part of a cohort-based program the Summer Residency aids in our goal to help students foster creativity, build life skills, and create a sense of community. Upcoming Summer Residency dates are updated on our curriculum page.

Yes! Teachers College offers on-campus Summer housing for students no matter where they reside. Additionally, New York City has numerous options for short-term housing including sublets and rentals. For more information about housing, contact one of our admission counselors at (877) 251-1533 or studioarted@tc.columbia.edu. You can also visit the Summer Residency page on our website for more details.

No. As this is both a hybrid and a cohort program, students must take courses online during the academic year, and courses on campus during the Summer Residencies.

The M.A. in Studio Practice for Art Educators (Hybrid) is for art educators who are committed to their teaching practice and want to nurture their studio work at the same time. Students in our program consider their artwork as it relates to — and in many ways is inseparable from — their work in the classroom. The primary goal of an MFA program is for artists to develop their art practice. The concept of art education is not a strong element of a traditional MFA. Though there might be exceptions, higher ed institutions require MFAs for studio art teaching positions.

The M.A. in Studio Practice for Art Educators (Hybrid) is designed to support active art educators who want to develop their artistic practice and reflect on their identity as artist-educators. The curriculum is not structured to prepare students for an MFA. However, some students might feel they are in a better position to apply for an MFA upon graduation.