Best Online Master’s in Art Education and Art Administration

Best Online Master’s in Art Education and Art Administration

Find top-ranked online master’s in art history education degree programs for students looking to apply their advanced knowledge of art history to the educational field.

Top 10 Online Art Education and Art Administration Master's Degrees

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Key Takeaways

  • Online master’s degrees in art education and art administration programs offer considerable flexibility that adult learners and professionals find useful.
  • Students who study art education and art administration master’s degrees can advance their careers in museums, galleries, theaters, dance companies, and other creative organizations.
  • You may be the ideal candidate for this online master’s degree program if you are passionate about art and education.

Featured Programs

Art enthusiasts can find job opportunities in diverse sectors and industries. Depending on your background, you might work in publishing, advertising, or graphic design.

Art-related jobs in TV, film, and theatre include set designers, costume designers, make-up artists, lighting technicians, and lighting directors. However, if you’re into administrative and education jobs, earning an online master’s degree in art education and art administration can be your most-needed secret weapon.

A master’s program in art education online allows students to understand the field in-depth and pursue advanced research. A range of media can be explored, including painting, digital, and experimental media.

Online master’s degree in art education graduates can become teachers in secondary and postsecondary schools, private learning centers, and daycare centers after they graduate.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the arts and design occupations to grow 2 percent from 2021 to 2031. Due to the increase, approximately 20,500 new jobs will be created over the next decade.

Non-profit arts organizations may also offer opportunities for curriculum development. Most junior colleges only require a master’s degree to qualify for instructor positions, but some four-year colleges and universities require a PhD.

Students can enroll in online programs and continue to work at their jobs while taking classes part-time or full-time. An online master’s degree in art education usually requires two years to complete.

After a few years in the field of art education, many professionals recognize that they are ready to advance in their careers. An online master’s degree in art education can be a way to reach that goal.

Furthermore, if you want to become an administrator or organizer in the art world, a master’s degree in art administration can make that happen. As an event or exhibition organizer, you can manage staff and look after buildings like theaters and museums.

Careers In Art Education

The online master’s degree in art education prepares students for careers as art teachers in public and private schools and arts learning institutions. A major in art education may also work for a non-profit organization that promotes the arts, or in curriculum development for teaching art.

For those interested in teaching at a four-year university or college, a PhD may be required. To work as an instructor or specialize in providing art teacher education at a junior or community college, however, you only need a master’s degree.

Art teachers have the ability to tune into students’ inner worlds quickly. By understanding their work, developmental stage, literacy, and social-emotional state, they are able to make meaningful connections.

In case of distress or developmental delay, you can initiate early interventions. Your support can help them deal with their feelings. Your art class can be an anchor for some students, which motivates them to succeed in other subjects as well.

According to statistics and data from Zippia, the United States has over 59,877 art teachers. And Las Vegas has the highest demand for art teachers.

It is important to remember that actual salaries and job openings will vary depending on location, educational level, experience, and employer.

Careers in Art Administration

Being an arts administrator might be a good career choice for people who love the arts and are good at organizing. Arts festivals, orchestras, galleries, museums, art centers, and galleries are all places you can immerse yourself in.

The field of arts administration encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, from community arts promotion to theatre work to festival organization.

It is not uncommon for arts administrators to have roles in marketing, advertising, publicity, market research, or public relations. Alternatively, they could manage projects, administer finances, or handle accounting and human resources.

It is common for art directors to be self-employed. The number of art directors is forecast to grow by 4% from 2021 to 2031.

Cost-Saving Tips for Your Online Master’s in Art Education and Art Administration

A master’s degree in art education online can be affordable in several ways. Several methods can be used to transfer credits, receive financial aid, and use flat-rate tuition. Explore each detail below.

Take advantage of financial aid

Various financial aid options are available to graduate students pursuing master’s degrees in art education online.

To apply for financial aid, prospective students should complete the FAFSA and contact their school’s student accounts office. The US Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop scholarship search tool and state college resources can also be used by students to locate financial aid resources.

Be sure to also research scholarships, tuition grants, discounts, and other types of financial aid offered in your graduate school of choice.

Transfer credits

Online art education master’s degree programs may allow students to transfer courses they have already completed at the graduate level. Additionally, some schools may accept undergraduate coursework for transfer.

The key is to seek information early and maximize transferring credits to save on your online master’s degree tuition costs.

Opt for programs with flat-rate tuition

In the United States, students have the option of paying flat-rate tuition at a number of schools. The flat fee tuition structure allows students to take a specific range of credit hours each semester while paying one flat fee for tuition.

For online master’s degree students taking nine to 15 credits per semester or nine credits or more, a flat-rate tuition structure may be available. This is indeed another effective way to save costs for your online master’s degree in art education or art administration.

Bottom Line: There are numerous ways to save money when pursuing an online master’s degree in art education and administration including financial aid, transfer credits, and flat-rate tuition.

Frequently Asked Questions About Art Education and Art Administration Degrees

Those looking to apply their advanced knowledge of art history to the educational field can earn a master’s degree in art education or arts administration.

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Students can take online classes that combine art history, education, and administration such as Multicultural Art Education, Research in Art Education, and History of Art Education.

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The required credits for graduation generally range from about 40 to 60 credits. The longer version of this program will usually include the instructional credits needed for teaching credentials. Typically, graduate students complete their program in two to three years. In addition to courses, students may also need to complete a practicum, an internship, and any required teaching certification exams.

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After graduation, students with a master’s in art education or arts administration typically apply for their degree in the teaching field, often working in public and private K-12 schools.

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Learn more about what you can do with a master’s in art education and art administration.

Best Online Master's in Art Education and Art Administration Degree Programs

Median Salaries of Similar Careers in the U.S.

The following graph depicts the average salaries of similar occupations to Art Directors in the U.S.

Source: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Annual Salary
40730Craft Artists
67240Artists and Related Workers, All Other
69010Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
86220Special Effects Artists and Animators
115430Art Directors

Best Online Master’s in Art Education and Art Administration Degree Programs

  1. #2

    University of Kentucky

    Lexington , KY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    25K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1175/25

    Online Degrees

    MA in Arts Administration
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    22K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1215/25

    Online Degrees

    MAEd in Art Education

    Concentrations

    • Museum
    • Classroom
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. Tuition + fees

    $58K

    Acceptance

    18%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    24K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1475/34

    Online Degrees

    MS in Arts Administration And Cultural Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  4. Tuition + fees

    $42K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    8K

    Online Degrees

    MA in Art Education
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MA in Modern Art History
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  5. #9

    Adelphi University

    Garden City , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $42K

    Acceptance

    77%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1155/24

    Online Degrees

    MA in Art Education
    • Required Credits: 37
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  6. #10

    Roosevelt University

    Chicago , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $31K

    Acceptance

    92%

    Graduation

    40%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1015/22

    Online Degrees

    MA in Performing Arts Administration
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 1 Year
    • Format: Online
  7. Tuition + fees

    $40K

    Acceptance

    84%

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    <1K

    Online Degrees

    MFA in Fine Arts
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  8. #12

    University of Northern Iowa

    Cedar Falls , IA

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    9K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1130/23

    Online Degrees

    MA in Art Education
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  9. Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    97%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1035/20

    Online Degrees

    MEd in Art Education
    • Required Credits: 30-33
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MA in Art

    Concentrations

    • Studio Track
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 15 months
    • Format: Online
    MA in Arts Administration
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  10. Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1090/23

    Online Degrees

    MLA in Liberal Arts

    Concentrations

    • Fine Arts
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  11. #16

    Converse University

    Spartanburg , SC

    Tuition + fees

    $20K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    57%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1100/18

    Online Degrees

    MEd in Arts Administration
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  12. #17

    Lindenwood University

    Saint Charles , MO

    Tuition + fees

    $19K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1085/22

    Online Degrees

    MA in Studio Art
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  13. #18

    Winthrop University

    Rock Hill , SC

    Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    64%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1045/22

    Online Degrees

    MA in Arts Administration
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  14. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    92%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    4K

    Online Degrees

    MEd in Integrated Arts
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MAT in Art Education
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  15. #20

    PennWest Edinboro

    Edinboro , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    92%

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1060/20

    Online Degrees

    MA in Art Education
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier is actually getting there. Taking the commute out of the equation means getting to class should be a lot more manageable. But that’s where it ends. In general, your online courses will incorporate the very same materials, concepts, and testing methods as would a traditional classroom.

And in many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning or working with remote learning technology for the first time, online college may even be a little more challenging for you. For a few insights on how to manage this new experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will require some adjustment.

While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.