Art Education Programs

Undergraduate Majors:

Graduate Major:

Art Education (AE.D.BA) Undergraduate Degree:

This program is for artists to make a difference. Art educator students use creative voice to inspire others, build community, and open new ways of seeing and understanding the world. Students develop both as an artist and a teacher—earning PK–12 Art Education teaching license (550) while learning how to turn their passion for art into meaningful learning experiences for students of all ages.

Coursework blends studio practice with education theory, emphasizing inclusive teaching, curriculum design, and art’s role in social change. Students explore how to create lessons that reflect varied voices, encourage self-expression, and connect art to real-world issues.

In the studio, students work across media—drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, photography, digital tools—while refining their own artistic identity. Art history and cultural studies deepen students' understanding of how art reflects and influences society, past and present.

Fieldwork and two nine-week student teaching placements in PreK–12 classrooms provides students skills, experience, and confidence to lead. Graduates leave ready to teach, advocate, and create—with the tools to build a more thoughtful, expressive, and connected world through art.
 

Art Education + Art Therapy Major (AET.D.BA) Undergraduate Degree:

This program is for artists who believe in the power of creativity to teach, connect, and heal. As the only program of its kind in Wisconsin, Alverno’s double major in Art Education and Art Therapy prepares students to become a licensed PK–12 art educator (550) and adaptive art specialist (859), uniquely qualified to work across educational and therapeutic settings.

Students explore how art cultivates personal growth and social change—blending educational theory with expressive arts, psychology, and adaptive practices. Courses focus on creating spaces of belonging and access that support the needs of all learners.

In the studio, students work across media—drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, photography, fibers, and digital tools—while growing their own artistic voice. Art history and cultural studies deepen students' understanding of how art shapes identity and community, and how it can be a force for opportunity and empowerment.

Hands-on fieldwork includes teaching in general and inclusive classrooms, along with a specialized practicum in adaptive art education. These real-world experiences prepare students to lead with empathy, insight, and confidence.

Graduates leave with endorsements for two teaching licenses and a deep foundation in both education and healing arts—ready to teach, advocate, and make a meaningful difference through creative practice.
 

Art Education/Adaptive Arts (AE.E.MA) Graduate Degree:

This program is for artists with a bachelor’s degree who want to build a meaningful career—earning PK–12 licenses in Art Education (550) and Adaptive Arts (859) plus a Master of Arts in Education in two years. The flexible format supports growth as both artist and educator, empowering you to inspire others while staying connected to your creative practice.

Students study art education from multiple perspectives—examining curriculum, representation, and art’s role in culture and community. Coursework focuses on creating meaningful, student-centered lessons that meet learner needs while nurturing their identity as a creative educator. Emphasizing practical teaching, reflection, and collaboration, this program prepares students to lead with confidence and adaptability.

Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in art or a related field—such as graphic design, fashion, or other visual arts—or complete required coursework before admission. Graduates leave ready to ignite creativity in students, adapt to varied learning environments, and transform communities through art education.

Adaptive Art Education (AAE.S.CERT) Post-Baccalaureate Certificate:

Designed for licensed art educators, this flexible post-baccalaureate certificate in Adaptive Arts enables students to expand teaching practice through therapeutic, student-centered approaches. Students design creative, compassionate lessons supporting the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical needs of K–12 learners—empowering every student to thrive through the arts.

Andrea Skyberg, MFA
Director, Art Therapy/Art Education; Associate Professor, Art

Andrea Skyberg is an associate professor and the director of the Art Education/Art Therapy program at Alverno College. In this role, she teaches graduate courses in art education, as well as undergraduate courses in arts education, studio arts, creative writing, and in the Accelerate program. Skyberg collaborates with faculty across campus on initiatives that promote experiential learning, creative integration, community engagement, and activism. As an educator, her goal is to help students redefine creativity as an innate ability—one they can access throughout their experiences to process emotions, express ideas, and communicate with the world around them.

 
Kelly Henckel, DAT, ATCS, ATRL-BC, LPC
Director, Art Therapy; Associate Professor, Art Therapy
 
Kelly is a Board Certified, Registered Art Therapist (specialty in Psychotherapy), and a Licensed Professional Counselor. In addition to Art Therapy, Kelly has taught many courses for undergraduate students at Alverno including Form and Space, Ancient to Byzantine and Medieval to Modern Art History. As an associate professor and program director for undergraduate art therapy, Kelly uses art in her own practice and aims to empower students to engage in a thorough exploration through the process of creating art, and use reflective and critical thinking skills to enhance their personal and professional identity development.

Art Education (AE.D.BA) Major Requirements  25-26 Catalog

A-100Community Art/Design Midsemester 10
ART COURSES
A-121Analytic Drawing3
A-122Expressive Drawing3
A-1342-D Design3
A-147Grant Writing for Artists & Educators1
A-189SForm and Space4
A-193CArt in the Professions (General Education )2
A-221Beginning Figure Drawing3
A-2343-D Design3
A-262Graphic Design & Illustration3
A-491Senior Art Seminar1
A-492Expressive Arts/Art Studio & Art Educatn3
Art Education Courses
AE-100Field Experience Module Registration0
AE-222Principles of Art Education3
AE-386Media & Methods in Art Therapy3
AE-387Adaptive Field Experience1
AE-392Art in Early Childhood & Elementary Sch4
AE-393Art in the Secondary School4
AE-480LDirect Observ & Teaching Art/Elem Sch6
AE-480SDirect Obs & Teaching Art/Secondary Sch6
Art History Courses
AHS-210Ancient to Byzantine Art2
AHS-252Medieval to Modern Art (General Education)4
AHS-409Modern & Contemporary Art (General Education )3
Education Course
ED-116Relational Competence Workshop3
ED-352Investigating Integrated Social Studies With the Inquiry Arc4
Additional Courses
PSY-110Life Span Development (General Education )4
Choose 15 Art Upper-level (300/400) Elective Credits15
A-321, A-352, A-356, A-359, A-362, A-363, A-366, A-371, A-376, A-380, A-384, A-397
Choose One 400-Level Course:3
Advanced Figure Drawing
or A-452
Advanced Painting
or A-456
Advanced Printmaking
Assessments
A-482Ext Assmnt of Effective Citzenship Lvl 40
ED-220Interview Assessment0
ED-475Student Teaching Seminar0
PST 406 Praxis 2 Ae (or equivalent)
PST 329 Praxis II Prep Seminar
General Education Courses
AC-151Initial Social Interaction Assessment0
CM-120Communication Seminar 14
CM-125Communication Seminar 23
CM-225Communication Seminar 33
FSS-125First Semester Seminar2
FA-110Intro to the Arts4
HUM-150Express/Interpretn Human Experience4
HFA-210Humanities & Fine Arts Elective2
HFA-310Humanities & Fine Arts Elective2
ILA-100Introduction to the Liberal Arts @ Alverno0
QL-156Mathematical Connections3
QL-122Quantitative Literacy in Modern World4
or BU-151 Personal Finance
BI, CH, PH, SC Course With Lab4
Total Credits129
1

Must Complete 7 Semesters 

Art Education (AE.D.BA) Map1  25-26 Catalog 

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
A-1000A-1000
A-189S4A-1213
A-193C2AE-2223
AC-1510CM-1253
CM-1204HUM-1504
FSS-1252QL-1563
ILA-100 or 2000 
QL-122 or BU 1514 
 16 16
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
A-1000A-1000
A-1343A-2343
A-1223A-2623
AHS-2102AE-3934
ADV-2990AHS-2524
CM-2253ED-1163
PSY-1104ED-2200
 15 17
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
A-1000A-1000
Choose Nine 300 Level Credis From Below:9A-2213
A 321, A 352, A 359, A 363, A 366, A 376, A 380, A 397Choose One AE 400 Level Course:
AE-3863A-421, 452, or 4563
AE-3871A-4923
AHS-4093ED-3524
PST 329 Praxis II PrepBI, CH, PH, SC Course With Lab4
 16 17
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
A-1000A-1000
A-1471A-4911
AE-3934AE-480L6
AHS-4093AE-480S6
Choose 6 AE 300 Level Credits from Below6ED-4750
A 321, A352, A 356, A 359, A 362, A 363, A 366, A 376, A 380, A 384, A 397FA-1104
A-3973 
PST 406 Praxis II Ae 
 17 17
Total Credits 131
1

Academic maps are to be used as a guide and assume a Fall start.  Official course requirements for each student are housed in Self-Service/Student Planning.  Course sequences are subject to change – check with the Academic Advising Office for updated maps.  

Art Education & Art Therapy (AET.D.BA) Major Requirements  25-26 Catalog

ART COURSES
A-121Analytic Drawing3
A-122Expressive Drawing3
A-1342-D Design3
A-147Grant Writing for Artists & Educators1
A-189SForm and Space4
A-193CArt in the Professions (General Education)2
A-221Beginning Figure Drawing3
A-2343-D Design3
A-262Graphic Design & Illustration3
A-491Senior Art Seminar1
A-492Expressive Arts/Art Studio & Art Educatn3
ART EDUCATION COURSES
AE-100Field Experience Module Registration0
AE-222Principles of Art Education3
AE-285Art Therapy3
AE-386Media & Methods in Art Therapy3
AE-387Adaptive Field Experience1
AE-392Art in Early Childhood & Elementary Sch4
AE-393Art in the Secondary School4
AE-480LDirect Observ & Teaching Art/Elem Sch6
AE-480SDirect Obs & Teaching Art/Secondary Sch6
AE-481Directed Observ/Teaching in Art Therapy6
ART HISTORY COURSES
AHS-210Ancient to Byzantine Art2
AHS-252Medieval to Modern Art (Genearl Education )4
AHS-409Modern & Contemporary Art (General Education )3
EDUCATION COURSES
ED-116Relational Competence Workshop3
ED-220Interview Assessment0
ED-396Introduction to Exceptional Learner4
ED-475Student Teaching Seminar0
ADDITIONAL COURSES
ED-352Investigating Integrated Social Studies With the Inquiry Arc4
PSY-110Life Span Development (General Education )4
PSY-250Abnormal Psychology4
CHOOSE ONE 400 LEVEL COURSE3
Advanced Figure Drawing
Advanced Painting
Advanced Printmaking
ART ELECTIVE COURSES
Choose 12 Upper-Level (300) Credits From: 1, 312
A-321, A-352, A-356, A-359, A-362, A-363, A-366, A-371, A-376, A-380, A-384, A-397,
ASSESSMENTS
A-100Community Art/Design Midsemester 20
A-482Ext Assmnt of Effective Citzenship Lvl 40
PST 329 Praxis II Prep Seminar
PST 406 Praxis 2 Ae (or equivalent)
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
AC-151Initial Social Interaction Assessment0
CM-120Communication Seminar 14
CM-125Communication Seminar 23
CM-225Communication Seminar 33
FSS-125First Semester Seminar2
FA-110Intro to the Arts4
HUM-150Express/Interpretn Human Experience4
HFA-210
HFA-310
Humanities & Fine Arts Elective
and Humanities & Fine Arts Elective
4
ILA-100Introduction to the Liberal Arts @ Alverno0
QL-122Quantitative Literacy in Modern World4
or BU-151 Personal Finance
QL-156Mathematical Connections3
Science Lab Course4
Total Credits143
1

May not choose a course used above. 

2

Must complete 8 semesters.

3

Three credits should focus on technology.

Art Education & Art Therapy (AET.D.BA) Map 25-26 Catalog

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
A-1000A-1000
A-189S4A-1213
A-193C2AE-2223
AC-1510CM-1253
CM-1204HUM-1504
FSS-125 or ILA 2002QL-1563
ILA-1000 
QL-122 or BU 1514 
 16 16
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
A-1000A-1000
A-1343AE-1000
A-1223A-2343
ADV-2990AE-3924
AE-2853AHS-2524
AHS-2102CM-2253
PSY-1104ED-2200
 ED-1163
 15 17
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
A-1000A-1000
AE-3871A-2213
AE-3863A-2623
ED-3524A-4923
BI, CH, PH, SC Course With Lab4AHS-4093
PSY-2504ED-3964
Global Effective Citizen; Choose One Course3PST 329 Praxis II Preg
GEC 302, AHS 409/GEC 307, GEC 312, GEC 314, GEC 315, GEC 317, GEC 320, GEC 324, GEC 328, GEC 333, GEC 398  
 19 16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
A-1000A-1000
A-1471AE-480S6
AE-3934AE-480L6
Choose 9 AE 300 Level Credits:ED-4750
A-321, 352, 356, 359, 362, 363, 366, 371, 376, 380, 384, or 3979FA-1104
PST 406 Praxis II Ae 
 14 16
Fifth Year
FallCredits 
A-1000 
A-4911 
AE-4816 
Choose 3 Art 300 Level Credits From: 
A-321, 352, 356, 359, 362, 371, 376, 380, 384, or 3973 
Choose 3 Art 400 Level Credits From: 
A-421, 452, or 4563 
 13 
Total Credits 142
1

Academic maps are to be used as a guide and assume a Fall start.  Official course requirements for each student are housed in Self-Service/Student Planning.  Course sequences are subject to change – check with the Academic Advising Office for updated maps.  

Art Education/Adaptive Arts (AE.E.MA) GR Major Requirements  25-26 Catalog

AET-604Art Education Field Work1-3
AET-622Art Education Methods3
AET-681Directed Observation/Teaching in Art Therapy3
AET-686Media & Methods in Art Therapy3
AET-692Expressive Arts Seminar3
AET-695Art Portfolio Assessment0
AET-750Pre-Stud Tch Art Portf Assmnt0
LTM-601Field Experience Module Registration0
LTM-602Field Experience Module 11
LTM-603Field Experience Module 21
LTM-612Foundations of Teaching, Learning & Assessing4
LTM-629K-9th Grade Developmental Methods3
LTM-631Exceptional Learner3
LTM-632Art Education Methods3
LTM-641Student Teaching3
LTM-675Student Teaching Seminar-LTM0
PST 400 Praxis 2 Elc0
Total Credits31-33

Art Education (AE.E.LIC) License Requirements  25-26 Catalog

AET-604Art Education Field Work1-3
AET-622Art Education Methods3
AET-681Directed Observation/Teaching in Art Therapy3
AET-686Media & Methods in Art Therapy3
AET-692Expressive Arts Seminar3
AET-695Art Portfolio Assessment0
AET-750Pre-Stud Tch Art Portf Assmnt0
LTM-601Field Experience Module Registration0
LTM-602Field Experience Module 11
LTM-603Field Experience Module 21
LTM-612Foundations of Teaching, Learning & Assessing4
LTM-629K-9th Grade Developmental Methods3
LTM-631Exceptional Learner3
LTM-632Art Education Methods3
LTM-641Student Teaching3
LTM-675Student Teaching Seminar-LTM0
PST 400 Praxis 2 Elc0
Total Credits31-33

Adaptive Arts (AET.E.LIC) License Requirements  25-26 Catalog

AE-285Art Therapy3
AE-386Media & Methods in Art Therapy3
AE-387Adaptive Field Experience1
A-492Expressive Arts/Art Studio & Art Educatn3
PSY-250Abnormal Psychology4
AE-481Directed Observ/Teaching in Art Therapy6
ED-396Introduction to Exceptional Learner4
or ED-368 Working With Diverse Populations
Total Credits24

Adaptive Art Education (AAE.S.CERT) Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Requirements  25-26 Catalog

A-492Expressive Arts/Art Studio & Art Educatn3
AE-285Art Therapy3
AE-386Media & Methods in Art Therapy3
AE-387Adaptive Field Experience1
AE-481Directed Observ/Teaching in Art Therapy6
ED-368Working With Diverse Populations4
PSY-250Abnormal Psychology4
Total Credits24