Program Design & Policy

During the first summer residency, students move into their studios and enter into a dynamic learning community composed of their peers in the incoming class, second-year students, and a team of faculty members who believe in working together to maximize the learning experience for individuals and the group as a whole. By the end of the first summer, students have a new body of studio work underway, new insights into contemporary art education theory and practice, and a proposal for examining the ways in which changes in their teaching affect learning.

During the online fall and spring semesters, MAAE students begin to implement the research study they designed during their summer residency and to read art education literature related to their research topic. As their study comes to a close in the spring semester and findings begin to emerge, students write proposals to present at national conferences. In addition, students participate in online studio seminars in which they post images and engage in conversations with their studio mentor and peers about the development of the body of artwork they began during their first summer residency.

During the second summer residency, students resume development of their studio work. Students are encouraged to find "the story" they want to tell from their classroom investigations, explore creative ways to write about their insights and findings, and generate an article for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. Additionally, multiple paths for further professional development are examined in a capstone professional development seminar. The summer concludes with an exhibition of studio artwork in a professional gallery space on MICA's campus, an evening of readings from their articles, and formal thesis presentations in which the learning of the program is synthesized, revealing the ways in which the students have integrated their growth as artists, teachers, and researchers.

Grades, Attendance, and Graduation Policy

All coursework is letter graded. Students must maintain a grade of "B" or above in all courses to maintain enrollment in the Program. Candidates must be present for the full six-weeks of the two summer sessions and complete required coursework in the fall and spring. Students working within the US return to campus for Mid-winter Seminar, while international students may elect to join via digital communication. Candidates are expected to submit work to instructors as stipulated in course syllabi. Due to the sequential nature of the coursework, completion of the MAAE program must occur within the two summers, one academic-year calendar. Additionally, the sequential nature of the MAAE coursework precludes the transfer of credits from other educational institutions.

It is the responsibility of the Program Director to determine if and when student work fulfills the expectations of the MAAE program. Completion of the Program is based upon satisfactory completion of all Program requirements and submission of documentation for the student's article, an exhibition of studio work, and thesis presentation. The Program Director reserves the right to counsel students out of the program who do not demonstrate attitudes and behaviors or performance consistent with the goals of the Program.