Master's Programme in Art Education
Master's level studies in art education deepen the student’s critical art pedagogy thinking, artistic skills and knowledge, and understanding of culture phenomena and the roles, practices, and methods of art.
The student learns to plan for and carry out art and educational activities with diverse groups of people while considering and promoting conditions for sustainable cultures and lifestyle. He/she understands the dynamics of artistic processes, can identify connections between social and cultural phenomena and artistic activities, and is able to take the needs of special groups into consideration. The student learns to examine art education activities from multiple theoretical and philosophical perspectives and utilize opportunities provided by immediate and media environments in his/her art pedagogy work.
The aim of the degree is to prepare art educators who possess advanced critical thinking and highly developed interaction skills, demonstrate wide-ranging competence in the visual fields and art education, and who can work as instructors for different groups of learners, further develop art pedagogical methods and learning environments, actively influence society through art and education, as well as participate in national and international dialogue relating to their area of knowledge. The teaching promoted in the program is based on current research in art education and related fields and is characterized by the combination of multidisciplinary views on experience-based knowledge arising from artistic and pedagogical practices.
A master’s degree completed in Art Education provides qualification for teaching art in comprehensive and upper secondary schools as well as the knowledge and skills to work in teaching, guidance, and expert positions in other learning environments in the visual field. Provisions on teacher qualifications are detailed in the Decree on Teaching Qualifications (A986/1998, A865/2005) and provisions on the training leading to these qualifications in the Government Decree on University Degrees in (A794/2004).
Master's Programme in Art Education for Professionals
An applicant with at least a BA degree in art or pedagogy and teaching experience can apply for the Master's Programme in Art Education. Studies leading to a Master's Degree in Art Education (120 credits) comprise foundational and advanced studies in the major (85 credits), teacher's pedagogical studies (35 credits). Additional teacher's pedagogical studies (25 credits), basic studies in art (35 credits) and/or language studies (12 credits) are assigned as needed. A personal study plan drawn up at the start of the studies specifies credit received from prior degree studies as well as identifies any supplementary studies needed to complete degree requirements.