Cultivate
Provides opportunities inside and outside the classroom to cultivate and enhance your overall learning and academic experience.
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Department of Art
Explore the Art Education Major, B.F.A.
The Department of Art is a vibrant, diverse community where creativity is our passion. Whether you are interested in being a professional artist, designer, educator, or historian, you will learn the skills you need to pursue a career that feeds your curiosity. Classes in our department focus on innovation and experimentation in both traditional and new media with faculty focused on student success.
What Are Milestones?
Milestones are activities students should complete and skills they should develop during their first year, middle years and final year at MSU Denver.
Major Milestones help prospective and current students explore major and career options and create a year-by-year plan that makes the most of their time at MSU Denver and sets them up for post-graduation success.
Career Milestones provide ways to explore options for jobs and/or attending graduate school after graduation and help students understand the types of essential skills employers look for.
Both types of Milestones integrate curricular (what happens inside the classroom), co-curricular (what happens inside and outside the classroom), and non-curricular (what happens outside the classroom) experiences.
Career Milestones Resources
There are nine essential skills you should have in order to find, acquire, maintain, and grow within a job.
Essential skills built through majoring in Art Education include:
- Global Learning, Professionalism & Work Ethic, and Leadership:
- Turn a passion into a career
- Participate in civic life
- Educate and inspire others
Learn more about essential skills.
Students graduating from Art Education find themselves as:
- Elementary Art Teacher
- Middle School Art Teaching
- High School Art Teacher
- Museum Educator
- Arts Program Director
- Curriculum Designer
In 2022-23, Art Education majors had a 100% job placement rate among those that applied for teaching positions.
Explore career opportunities by major.
Many students also choose to pursue a graduate degree.
Learn more about applying to graduate school.
Major Milestones Resources
Learn more about Major Milestones for your major and how to make the most of your time at MSU Denver!
How to Get the Most Out of This Page
Follow These Steps
- Click on your year in school from the list below.
- Read the steps listed in each category: Cultivate, Engage and Prepare.
- Complete any necessary steps listed.
- Check out further resources by connecting with your academic advisor, the Classroom to Career Hub, and your department faculty.
All options listed below are available in-person and online unless noted otherwise.
Major Milestones Categories
Engage
Highlights activities you can engage and participate in globally, nationally and locally to enhance your essential skills and start building your resume.
Prepare
Lists steps to prepare for postgraduate success whether that's entering the workforce, attending graduate school or pursuing other goals and plans.
Arrive! Your First Year at MSU Denver
First Year Milestones
- Join a student organization and get connected to support on campus.
- Declare a major, (explore our fully online programs!) or meet with an exploratory advisor to learn about options.
- Attend signature events on campus (Convocation, Fall Fest, Spring Fling, etc.).
- Check out Career Link for on-campus and career-aligned jobs.
- Attend Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) career workshops and events.
- Write your early experience resume and utilize resume resources from the C2Hub.
- Take your Foundations classes in ART/ARTH.
- Meet with your Faculty advisor to discuss your academic and career goals.
- Join a student organization.
- Go to an exhibition at the Center for Visual Art.
- Research study abroad opportunities.
- Go to local galleries and exhibition openings and talk to artists.
- Start posting your artwork on social media.
Thrive! Your Middle Years at MSU Denver
Middle Years Milestones
- Consider adding a minor or adding a certificate to your chosen major.
- Explore resources like the tutoring program or the writing center.
- Get familiar with MSU Denver’s Academic Planning Tool.
- Explore student leadership on campus and volunteering in your community.
- Earn credit and gain experience through an internship, study abroad, or community-engaged learning.
- Attend identity or interest-based campus events like the Richard T. Castro speaker series.
- Connect with the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship program.
- Attend an in-person Career Fair to network and secure a professional headshot.
- Connect with the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) for opportunities for professional mentoring and job shadowing.
- Apply to the B.F.A. in Art Education degree by submitting a portfolio.
- Apply to the School of Education and take your EDS courses.
- Start taking your Art Education courses.
- Attend a Portfolio Review workshop.
- Attend a Visiting Artist, Scholar, and Designer event.
- Attend K-12 School District Art Shows.
- Apply to work at the Center for Visual Art in their Education program.
- Observe mentor teachers in K-12 art classrooms.
- Visit art centers and out reach art programs.
Soar! Your Final Year at MSU Denver
Final Year Milestones
- Meet with your advisor to complete remaining graduation requirements.
- Ready to Graduate? Check out this guide from the registrar!
- Attend or present in-person at a major-specific or industry-specific conference or networking event.
- Attend in-person alumni and campus-wide networking events.
- Submit a proposal to present in-person at the Undergraduate Research Conference.
- Seek to collaborate with local civic organizations.
- Finalize your portfolio of relevant projects and skills.
- Get help on your industry-ready resume, then attend in-person career-focused events.
- Identify needs for Professional Certifications or MCAT/LSAT etc. and prepare for professional school admissions.
- Prepare and submit applications for jobs, explore graduate school, or relevant post-grad training.
- Learn about different school districts.
- Take ART 4701 Senior Experience: Exhibition and Thesis and install your exhibition at the Center for Visual Art.
- Attend a Colorado Art Educator Association conference.
- Submit your artwork to a juried exhibition.
- Participate in a Study Abroad opportunity.
- Take Praxis exam.
- Talk to your faculty advisor about job recommendations.
- Student Teach in an art classroom with a mentor teacher.
Roadrunner Roads
Things every student should do at MSU Denver.
Roadrunner Upkeep
- Complete FAFSA/CASFA/COF/Scholarship Applications every year.
- Stay on track for graduation by meeting with your advisor every year and check into the Rowdy Pit Stop every semester.
- Read The Runner in your email every Monday.
Roadrunner Career Readiness
- Find and get hired for jobs during college and beyond by visiting the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) and utilize C2Hub resources for students.
- To be prepared for any opportunity that comes your way, update your resume early & often.
- Explore options for hands-on learning and explore graduate school & get prepared for both.
- Log in to Career Link each month to stay up to date on programs, events, and job/internship opportunities.
Roadrunner Wellbeing
- Explore wellness and belonging resources from CESA.
- Access mental wellbeing support through the Counseling Center.
- Visit Rowdy’s Corner when you need some food access support.
- Nourish your physical well-being by checking out the Rec Center and checking out Exercise Sciences, including for-credit courses.
- Determine if you need to fill out the Health Insurance Opt-Out Waiver each semester.
Additional College Resources
College of Letters, Arts and Sciences (CLAS) Steps for Success
Major Maps
Download the Art Education Major B.F.A. Map (from CLAS), a print version of this webpage so you can refer to it later.
Academic Program Pages
Visit the Art Education Major, B.F.A. Academic Program Page to learn more about this program and all it offers.
Student Success Roadmap
Complete additional steps on the CLAS Student Success Roadmap to round out your MSU Denver experience.
Contact the Department of Art
Connect with Us
Phone: (303) 615-0300
Email: [email protected]
Campus Location:
Arts Building
First Floor, Suite 187
Arts Building, Auraria Campus – Google Map