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Earn your professional studies master’s in arts education
Enhance your professional expertise, elevate your teaching career and strengthen your leadership skills in the field of art education.
The professional studies master’s in arts education is a graduate-level program, tailored to experienced art teachers looking to enhance their careers and leadership skills through an advanced degree.
We offer a flexible schedule featuring a mix of evening and summer courses all designed to meet the needs of working professionals.
Earn your degree quickly, in one year full-time or two years part-time.
Career information
Graduates of the professional studies master’s in arts education can anticipate:
- Higher-level teaching opportunities
- Roles in school administration or as a mentor to other educators, for example as an instructional coordinator
- A competitive advantage over teachers without master’s when applying for jobs
How to apply
Application deadlines
Applications are accepted for three different start times throughout the year:
- December 15 (spring start)
- April 30 (summer start)
- July 31 (fall start)
Admission requirements
A bachelor's degree and 2.80 GPA is required. No GRE is required.
- Unofficial transcripts. Upload your transcripts into the application system; please do not mail your transcripts. There is no need for official transcripts or academic records for initial review. The University will request official copies of this material if you are admitted. Get more information about transcripts and credentials.
- Resume. Tailor your resume to focus on relevant academic and work experience.
- Personal statement. Describe your career goals and rationale for pursuing your MEd. Limit to one page.
Transfer credits
Maximum transfer credits: 10
Credits may have been taken at UMN or at another institution. Credits must be at the graduate level. Once admitted, you will work with a faculty adviser to receive approval, and transfer credits into your degree.
International applicants
International applicants may also need:
- An English translation of your transcripts, if the transcript is not in English.
- A course by course evaluation may be required.
- Visit the Graduate School language proficiency page to find the different methods available to international students to demonstrate English language proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, DUOLINGO, PTE Academic). Some international students may qualify for an exception if they have completed 16 semester or 24 quarter credits within the past 24 months in residence as a full-time student at an accredited institution of higher learning in the United States. Early application is advised to ensure timely admission.
- International students with F-1 visas may take no more than the equivalent of one completely online education class (or 3 credits per semester) and count it towards their full-time course requirement. Full-time enrollment for graduate students is 6 credits. If you are enrolled in an online program and studying in your home country, you do not need full-time enrollment status.
Tuition
Visit the 2025-26 professional graduate program costs page on the CEHD website for master’s in professional studies in arts education (MEd) costs.
Visit OneStop for the most up-to-date tuition information and to understand the full cost of attendance.
All master's degree programs in CEHD have the same cost per credit hour. The University of Minnesota tuition operates on a credit band where there is a flat rate for tuition each semester when taking 12 - 24 credits.
Funding
CEHD Fellowships, scholarships, assistantships, and grants for graduate students
As a graduate student in CEHD, you may be eligible for fellowships, grants, and scholarships from the University of Minnesota, from our college, and from your academic department. Get more information on CEHD funding opportunities. More information about University-wide fellowships, grants, and scholarships on the CEHD website.
Questions about funding
University funding opportunities
612.625.7579 | gsfellow@umn.edu CEHD Funding Opportunities:
Academic Adviser: Veronica Myers
Financial aid
Financial aid for your graduate program works a little differently than financial aid at the undergraduate level. It’s important to know the differences and explore your options.
Check out the One Stop website for more information on financial aid eligibility, required steps, and timelines. If you have questions, you should contact One Stop Student Services at 612.624.1111 or via email at onestop@umn.edu
Request info
What our alumni say
Quote from Vanessa Hoff, MEd 2021
"My studies in the area of Arts-Based Educational Research have contributed not only to my teaching practice but also to my work as a visual artist."
Coursework
This program requires a minimum of 30 semester credits of graduate-level coursework distributed across three areas:
- Core academic program in education (10 credits)
- Courses specific to the area of art education, (14 credits)
- Electives designed to align with your interests (6 credits)
A school-based project is required in which a student investigates a problem, issue, or topic of their choosing to expand their expertise and strengthen their leadership skills in the field of art education.
Complete your coursework in just one year full-time or two years part-time. Visit the graduate program catalog for a full listing of program requirements (Requirements tab > Arts in Education subplan).
Faculty
See the award-winning faculty with practical and research experience teaching in this area.
