Northern’s Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) in Art Education is a flexible online program to advance your educational career and expand your artistic abilities.
About The Program
Northern’s Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) in Art Education degree is a summer residency, practice-oriented, primarily online degree program designed for educators who are already teaching art in K-12 schools.
As a student in this graduate program, you’ll develop new teaching skills, gain a deeper understanding of art pedagogy, develop a professional network of art educators from around the region and nation, reignite your passion for teaching, and explore you own identity as an educator and creator. The program will enhance knowledge of current trends and challenges in art education, from new learning theories to student accessibility in the art classroom. Maximize learning effectiveness for your students while advancing your career path!
This flexible online program is intended to fit into your schedule as a full-time educator who wants to immediately apply new concepts to your daily teaching practice. You’ll be challenged to think more deeply about your own practice and your students’ work. You’ll also develop a focused competence in the visual arts, along with an intellectual understanding of the history and current issues of the field of art education.
Admission requirements
Accreditation
This degree is designed for educators who are already teaching art in K-12 schools.
Selected and nominal scholarships are available for students applying and enrolling in Northern State University's MSEd Art Education program. Consideration of funding for new students requires a portfolio review to include the following:
- Five to 10 personal works of art from the last 10 years - any medium
- Include:
- Title, medium, and size
- Two to three sentences about the work
- Include:
- Artist statement
- Teaching philosophy
- One K-12 lesson plan with images of student samples
- Include:
- Student learning objectives (SLOs)
- Student learning activities
- Assessments
- Accommodations
- Include:
- Portfolio review interview (to be scheduled after program acceptance)
Art Education (MSEd) Course Requirements
Students will spend two required summer residencies of two weeks each on Northern's beautiful campus (ask about our on-campus housing options). Students will complete two courses each fall, spring and summer term.
For more information about this online degree, contact:
- The NSU Office of Graduate Studies at gradstudies@northern.edu or 605-626-2558
- Peter Kilian, chair, Department of Art
- Cindy Davis, graduate coordinator, School of Fine Arts
Our Faculty
(ABD) Ph.D. Art Education, specialty in Design (UI/UX), University of North Texas
M.A.T. Art Education, University of Central Florida
B.S. in Business Administration, specialty MIS, University of Central Florida
Cindy T. Davis is an assistant professor of art education. She is completing her research and dissertation for a doctorate in art education at the University of North Texas, focusing on art education curriculum and user interface design. She has a management information systems degree and a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Central Florida.
Cindy has taught at the University of North Texas and SUNY New Paltz. Cindy holds a PK-12 art education certification from Florida and has experience teaching art through public schools, private schools, and summer camps. Her curriculum experience includes International Baccalaureate and Montessori.
Cindy is an active member of…
M.F.A., University of California-Santa Barbara
B.A., Augustana College
I have exhibited my artwork in regional and national venues for more than 25 years, with works in the Knight-Ridder Collection, South Dakota State Art Collection, Contemporary Arts Forum (Santa Barbara) and numerous private collections.
Discipline Specialties
Painting
Drawing
Printmaking
M.F.A. Digital Filmmaking - University of Central Arkansas
M.S. Instructional Design & Technology - Emporia State University
B.G.S. Special Major: Digital Film & Computer Production - University of Kansas
Originally from Northeast Kansas, Knowles is an award-winning filmmaker who teaches courses in digital media, web and interface design, and motion graphics at Northern. At other institutions, he developed and facilitated in-person and online classes in filmmaking, live-streaming/broadcasting, 3D animation, media writing, and podcasting/audio production.
Jason's media production interests include writing and directing screenplays with strong female lead characters whose journeys transcend the genres of action-adventure films, science fiction, and…


M.F.A., East Carolina University
B.A., Hastings College
Tim Rickett, an artist and educator based in Aberdeen in northeastern South Dakota, employs the practice of bricolage to create work that explores ideas of nostalgia, politics, history, and the Anthropocene. He graduated from Hastings College in 2016 with a BFA in sculpture and completed his MFA at East Carolina University in 2019. He is assistant professor of 3D media and gallery director at Northern State University.
Rickett co-curates exhibitions in the collective MidwestNice Art with Epiphany Knedler. His work has been exhibited at the Washington Pavilion, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Del Mar College Annual National Drawing and Small Sculpture Show, Contemporary Arts Museum Raleigh, and a collaborative exhibition at the University of South Dakota.
At Northern, Rickett teaches four levels of…