It is a state requirement that any candidate applying to a post-baccalaureate teacher education program in Rhode Island has achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 as an undergraduate. It is additionally a Department of Teaching + Learning in Art + Design’s requirement that a candidate has achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 in her/his studio studies. A candidate who has already completed a Master’s degree must also meet these same cumulative GPA requirements in her/his graduate degree.

Yes, In addition to a preferred BFA or BA degree in art or design, with a GPA of at least 3.00, an applicant’s transcript(s) must indicate a minimum or 39 credit hours in the following domains as prerequisite for entry to RISD’s MAT program:

• English Composition & Literature, 12 credit hours
• History of Art / Design, 12 credit hours
• Humanities, Natural or Social Sciences, 12 credit hours
• Additional Liberal Arts, 12 credit hours

A good and very important question. RISD’s MAT program is a Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education-approved teacher preparation program and, as a result of the Interstate Compact, has reciprocity in at least 44 other states. It is, however, important for applicants to understand that while RISD awards the MAT degree and recommends its graduates for certification or licensure, the award of teacher certification is determined by individual states — each of which has its own specific requirements. So, in addition to a candidate having successfully completed an approved teacher preparation program such as ours, candidates must pass any test(s) of teacher knowledge designated by a specific state. An essential feature of RISD’s program is the involvement of Teaching + Learning in Art + Design faculty throughout all stages of your future job search. The faculty takes particular pride in this relationship, which has led to an extremely high placement rate for our graduates.

Competitive candidates for the Community Arts Education track submit strong portfolios, which provide compelling evidence of confidence in studio practice and have some experience of community-based work. Further, their accompanying statement of purpose provides a clearly articulated discussion of their interests in connecting their creative practice to work in the public sphere and how this graduate degree will support their career goals.

Competitive candidates for the Professional Development track possess a minimum of 3 years of elementary or secondary school art teaching experience and submit a strong portfolio of studio work. Further, their accompanying statement of purpose provides clear evidence of their being reflective practitioners as well as a cogent discussion of the ways in which this graduate degree will support their career goals.

Unfortunately, no. We believe strongly that a face-to face meeting not only provides us with an opportunity to really get to know you, but more importantly, it provides you with an invaluable opportunity to get to know the program. For this reason we require an on-campus interview with each candidate who is invited to continue the application process.

In the vast majority of cases the answer to this question is no. In our professional opinion, students who wish to teach studio art/design at the college level ought to apply to MFA programs or terminal degree programs in design or architecture. These degrees are generally considered to be the prerequisite qualifications for collegiate teaching.

An essential feature of RISD's Teaching + Learning in Art + Design program is our faculty's involvement in all stages of your future job search. We take particular pride in this relationship, which has led to an extremely high placement rate for our graduates.