Master of Arts in Education

The Master of Arts in Education prepares students for employment in both traditional or contemporary work settings, including community, museum and curatorial, and educational settings. Our alumni become successful educators, curators, community program and start-up developers, entrepreneurs, and much more. They work in many sectors including but not limited to education, civic participation, arts and culture, community health and wellbeing. No matter where our MAEd graduates find themselves, bringing people together to create change and instill knowledge through art education and action.

The MAEd requires a minimum of 30 credits.

Students choose four elective courses reflecting their personal, professional and academic interests, needs, and goals. Students may select from predetermined concentration options in Expressive Arts Therapy, Arts Leadership and Administration or create their own custom program of study to align with your interest with a robust selection of electives.

Core Required Courses

Elective Courses (choose 4)

Capstone Experience (choose one)

• Student-Centered Pedagogy: Graduates will be skilled in implementing culturally responsive teaching methods and student-centered learning approaches, ensuring inclusive, accessible, engaging, and equitable educational experiences that meet students where they are.
• Contemporary Art Integration: Graduates will develop the ability to critically analyze and incorporate contemporary art and socio-political contexts into their teaching practices, enhancing curriculum relevance and fostering critical thinking among students.
• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Implementation: Graduates will be equipped to integrate SEL competencies into art education, promoting holistic student development, emotional intelligence, and empathetic classroom environments.
• Creative Leadership and Advocacy: Graduates will be prepared to lead and advocate for the arts within their communities, utilizing creativity development theories, brain-based research, and effective leadership strategies to drive cultural initiatives and influence policy.
• Community Engagement Through Art: Graduates will be adept at designing and implementing community art projects that foster social advocacy, celebrate diversity, and promote a sense of belonging, leveraging art to unite and empower communities.

Apply Now

Fall 2025: July 15, 2025

Spring 2026: December 1, 2025

Special: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with priority consideration for applicants who submit applications and supplemental materials by deadlines.

Application fee: $70

Campus: Online

*NO GRE required

Personal Statement

Please submit a personal statement of no more than 750 words that describes your academic background, professional experiences, and personal motivations that have led you to pursue this graduate program and how you envision the program helping you achieve your long-term career goals.

References: Two Required

As part of your application, we require two professional recommenders to complete an Endorsement Form. We recommend choosing individuals familiar with your academic or professional experience and who can speak to your strengths, achievements, and potential for success in graduate school. Recommendations submitted by relatives or friends will not be accepted. Once you have identified your recommenders, you will need to provide their contact information in your application portal. Each recommender will then receive an email with a link to complete the Endorsement Form.

Resume

A current Résumé or Curriculum Vitae is required with your submitted application.

Transcripts

Applicants should have a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or above from all previous degrees held. You can either submit unofficial transcripts in the application portal as a PDF attachment, or request official college transcripts to be sent electronically to graduateadmissions@meca.edu, or to the following address: Maine College of Art & Design Attn: Graduate Admissions 522 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04101. If admitted, you must request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office from each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

• Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to graduateadmissions@meca.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
• Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: Maine College of Art & Design Attn: Graduate Admissions 522 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04101.
• You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

International Applicants

Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. We welcome international applicants, but please note that this is an online program. Any program that is conducted primarily online is not eligible for a student visa for study, but students may enroll at a distance or study under a different eligible visa type.

Proof of English Language Proficiency

Non-native English-speaking international applicants must submit proof of English language proficiency. Demonstration of a sufficient level of proficiency is a prerequisite for admission. The following are acceptable forms of documentation and their minimum test scores, if applicable:

• Written TOEFL Test: 550
• Internet TOEFL Test: 79
• Pearson PTE Test: 53
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5
• Duolingo English Test: 100
• Graduation from a US high school with at least two (2) years of high school English, not in conjunction with English as a Second Language (ESL), and documentation of a B average or higher.
• Completion of two (2) consecutive semesters of English Composition taken at a regionally accredited US college while carrying a full-time course load and not in conjunction with ESL. A minimum grade of B is required in each semester.
• Completion of the equivalent of two (2) years at an English speaking higher education institution and a minimum 3.0 GPA. A school official should provide a written statement that English is their primary language of instruction as documentation.

Questions

For program-specific application questions, please contact online@meca.edu.

This option consists of four courses that offer additional training and new professional opportunities for art educators, classroom teachers, human services professionals, and fine artists. The art therapy focus is particularly valuable for those interested in fostering holistic development in their students and clients, as well as promoting emotional intelligence, empathy, and a deeper connection with oneself and practice. With a balance of theory and technique, practitioners will leave the course with a toolkit to meet every learner where they are.

This four-course elective focus option provides the essential skills and knowledge required to manage a wide range of arts organizations competently. Our arts leadership and administration focus emphasizes critical areas such as governance and leadership, budgeting and finance, fundraising, and marketing. The curriculum combines deep conceptual understanding with practical application through active online learning. Courses cover arts leadership and management, arts marketing, development/fundraising, and arts advocacy.

Create your own custom program of study to best align with your interest with a robust selection of electives.

Tuition and fees:

Cost Per Credit: $720

Technology Fee: $100 per e-term

Click HERE for additional information.

Financial Aid Office: Click HERE or email finaid@meca.edu

Full-time and part-time plan of study options available.

• Museum Manager
• Municipal Employee
• Recreation Director
• Advanced Educator PreK-12
• Educational Consultant
• University/College Faculty Member or Adjunct
• Corporate Training/Training Specialist
• Non-Profit Education Program Manager

The Master of Arts in Education online prepares students for employment in both traditional or contemporary work settings, including community, museum and curatorial, and educational settings. Our alumni become successful educators, curators, community program and start-up developers, entrepreneurs, and much more. They work in many sectors, including but not limited to education, civic participation, arts and culture, and community health and wellbeing. No matter where our MAEd graduates find themselves, they bring people together to create change and instill knowledge through art education and action.

Maine College of Art & Design is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The College’s accreditation status was renewed in 2016.

The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) is the regional accreditation agency for colleges and universities in New England as well as with International schools. NECHE accreditation attests to a school's high quality and integrity.

Accreditation, which is voluntary, indicates that an institution has met an external set of criteria for the programs it offers, and adheres to threshold standards as a foundation for academic strength and operational integrity. It can be helpful in the transfer of credits from one institution to another.

Maine College of Art & Design also belongs to the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD), a non-profit consortium of 42 leading art schools in the United States and Canada.

Inquiries regarding the College’s accreditation should be directed to Melissa Sullivan, Executive Assistant to the President, telephone 207.699.5043 / email msullivan@meca.edu.

Contact

New England Commission of Higher Education
3 Burlington Woods Drive, Suite 100
Burlington, MA
01803-4514
781.425.7785
info@neche.org

1. Does this program lead to teaching certification?

No. This program does not lead to a teaching certification.

2. How strict is the policy regarding elective courses and can I transfer in any I have taken outside of Maine College of Art & Design or courses I took as a non-degree student?

The program allows for flexibility in regard to course offerings. Students can request to transfer in a maximum of two graduate level courses (6 credits) taken outside of Maine College of Art & Design, with the program director’s approval. Students must have earned at least a “B” in each course. These courses cannot have been used in obtaining another degree.

3. Are required courses offered every semester?

Yes. Typically, one to two required courses are offered each e-term. This program has courses offered in five different e-terms. E-terms are different from the traditional Maine College of Art & Design academic calendar. The e-term schedule includes intensive eight-week courses. There are two e-terms in the Fall, two in the Spring, and one in the Summer. Each course is typically three credits and is an accelerated version of a typical 15-16 week semester course. In other words, the same amount of material is covered, but in a shorter time span. It is recommended that you work with your program director to determine how many courses per e-term are best for you and your circumstance.

4. Do I need to register for two courses each semester or can I register for 1 course each semester?

Students are not required to register for each e-term and many choose to register for one course each Fall and Spring semester. This means you can register for e-term 1 OR 2 in the Fall and e-term 3 OR 4 in the Spring.

Link to the Online Academic Calendar: HERE