Master of Arts in Education

The online MA in Education prepares students for employment in both traditional and 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.

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 their interests, with a robust selection of electives.

Strategic Planning and Curriculum Design in the Arts 3

Contemporary Artist Survey 3

Perspectives on Art: Critique, Interpretation, and Engagement 3

Creative Inquiry: Introduction to Arts-Based Research 3

Emotional Intelligence & Artistic Learning 3

Resilient Learning Environments 3

Theoretical Foundations and Methods of Expressive Arts Therapies 3

Adaptive Art: Fostering Inclusive Creative Practices 3

Introduction to Creative Leadership 3

Arts Marketing and Communications 3

Financial Management and Grant Writing for Arts Organizations 3

Arts Management and Strategy: Navigating Creativity, Impact, and Engagement 3

Special Topics Elective: Teaching in a TAB Classroom 3

Reflective Action Research 6

Artist as Educator 6

Community Action Project

• 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.

Each core course builds a foundation in creative pedagogy, critical inquiry, and arts-based research.

Strategic Planning and Curriculum Design in the Arts (3 credits)
Explore how to design, map, and assess arts-centered curricula for schools, museums, and community programs. You’ll learn to align big-picture vision with day-to-day learning outcomes, integrate the arts across disciplines, and plan programs that are both sustainable and responsive to your learners.

Contemporary Artist Survey (3 credits)
Engage with a range of contemporary artists and cultural practitioners whose work intersects with education, community practice, and social change. You’ll examine how artists address current issues and consider how their approaches can inform your own teaching and leadership.

Perspectives on Art: Critique, Interpretation, and Engagement (3 credits)
Develop tools for looking at, discussing, and interpreting art with diverse audiences. This course focuses on critique as a vehicle for learning, helping you facilitate dialogue, foster critical thinking, and support students in making meaning through art.

Creative Inquiry: Introduction to Arts-Based Research (3 credits)
Examine research methods that grow out of creative practice, including visual, performative, and participatory approaches. You’ll learn how to frame questions, collect and interpret qualitative data, and design arts-based projects that generate insight and drive change in your field.

Electives allow you to build toward a formal focus area in Expressive Arts Therapy or Arts Leadership & Administration, or design your own path.

Emotional Intelligence & Artistic Learning (3 credits)
Examine how artistic processes can support emotional awareness, empathy, and resilience. You’ll design creative experiences that weave the five core SEL competencies into your teaching or professional practice, helping learners build self-knowledge and stronger relationships.

Resilient Learning Environments (3 credits)
Study trauma-informed and student-centered approaches that make learning spaces safer, more inclusive, and more responsive. Through case studies and creative activities, you’ll learn to reduce stress, foster trust, and support well-being in classrooms, studios, and community settings.

Theoretical Foundations and Methods of Expressive Arts Therapies (3 credits)
Survey key theories that inform expressive arts therapy, from humanistic and psychodynamic perspectives to newer insights from brain-based and culturally responsive research. You’ll connect these frameworks to practical methods and learn how expressive arts approaches can be adapted for non-clinical educational and community contexts.

Adaptive Art: Fostering Inclusive Creative Practices (3 credits)
Learn how to design accessible, flexible creative experiences using principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and differentiated instruction. The course focuses on strategies, materials, and structures that support neurodivergent learners and participants with varied physical, cognitive, and sensory needs.

Introduction to Creative Leadership (3 credits)
Build foundational leadership skills through the lens of creativity, collaboration, and ethical decision-making. You’ll examine models of arts-based leadership, practice facilitation, and communication techniques, and explore how to guide teams and initiatives with clarity and vision.

Arts Marketing and Communications (3 credits)
Explore how arts organizations and creative initiatives communicate value, build audiences, and tell compelling stories. You’ll study core concepts in branding, digital strategy, and community outreach, and apply them to real or hypothetical arts-based projects.

Financial Management and Grant Writing for Arts Organizations (3 credits)
Gain practical skills in budgeting, financial planning, and fundraising for arts organizations. You’ll learn how to read and build basic financial documents, design sustainable funding strategies, and craft competitive grant proposals that align mission, impact, and resources.

Arts Management and Strategy: Navigating Creativity, Impact, and Engagement (3 credits)
Examine how arts organizations set direction, manage resources, and measure impact. Topics include governance, strategic planning, audience development, and program evaluation, all with an eye toward leading creative institutions that are both mission-driven and financially resilient.

Special Topics Elective: Teaching in a TAB Classroom (3 credits)
Dive into Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB), a student-directed approach that positions learners as artists and the classroom as their studio. You’ll explore how to structure choice-based environments, scaffold independence, and support authentic, self-directed artmaking.

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 interests with a robust selection of electives.

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.

RÉSUMÉ

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 that an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of 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 are required to 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 the primary language of instruction as documentation.

QUESTIONS

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

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with priority consideration for those who submit by the term deadlines.

Upcoming Priority Deadlines

• Fall 2025 Start
  • Priority application deadline: July 15, 2025
• Spring 2026 Start
  • Priority application deadline: December 1, 2025

Applications completed (including all supporting materials) by these dates receive priority for review and enrollment decisions. Applications received after the priority deadline are considered as space allows.

• Select the Master of Arts in Education (Online) as your intended program.

Prepare your personal statement

• Draft up to 750 words describing your background, motivations, and goals for the MAEd.

Request transcripts

• Upload unofficial transcripts to the application portal for initial review.
• Request official transcripts from each college/university attended to be sent directly to MECA&D if you’re admitted.

Identify and enter your recommenders

• Add contact information for two professional references.
• They will receive a link via email to complete the online Endorsement Form.

Upload your résumé or CV

• Highlight teaching, creative, community, and leadership experience.

Submit your application fee and form

• Pay the $70 application fee and submit your application for review.

Send proof of English proficiency (if required)

• Arrange to have official test scores or approved documentation sent directly to Maine College of Art & Design.

Connect with the admissions team

• Reach out to online@meca.edu with questions, or schedule a call to discuss your goals and timeline.

Schedule a Call Apply Now

Our graduates pursue roles that blend education, creativity, and leadership. Depending on your background and interests, potential pathways include:

• Advanced educator (PreK–12, independent schools, or alternative programs)
• Museum or gallery educator
• Community arts educator or program coordinator
• University or college adjunct instructor
• Nonprofit education program manager
• Municipal or community programs coordinator
• Corporate trainer or learning and development specialist
• Recreation director or youth programs leader
• Arts-based workshop facilitator or teaching artist

The MAEd prepares you to work across a wide range of organizations and sectors where creative education and community engagement are central. Alumni and program graduates work in:

• Public, private, and independent PreK–12 schools
• Colleges and universities, including adjunct and staff roles
• Museums, galleries, and cultural institutions
• Community arts and youth-serving organizations
• Human services and healthcare-related settings that use the arts for wellness and engagement
• Municipal agencies and civic organizations involved in community development, recreation, or cultural programming

Maine College of Art & Design’s online MA in Education program is built on a long history of community-engaged art and education. Graduates carry that ethos into their careers, where they:

• Lead innovative arts and education initiatives in schools, museums, and nonprofits
• Launch community programs, creative startups, and grassroots projects
• Collaborate with local organizations to design arts-based responses to social and civic challenges.

Students benefit from the College’s institutional relationships with community partners in the Portland Arts District and across Maine, many of which are connected through long-standing public engagement and teaching initiatives.

By completing the MA in Education at Maine College of Art & Design, you’ll graduate with:

• A creative, student-centered teaching philosophy grounded in equity, inclusion, and contemporary art practice
• Advanced skills in curriculum design and arts-based research that allow you to investigate questions in your own setting and share findings with others
• Confidence as a leader and advocate for the arts, ready to guide programs, teams, and initiatives in your school, organization, or community
• Expanded professional opportunities, including roles that blend education, administration, and community engagement
• A strong portfolio or capstone project, demonstrating your ability to design and carry out impactful creative-education work
• A network of peers and mentors who share your commitment to using art and education to inspire change

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 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.

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

Within the College, academic standards for online graduate programs include minimum GPA requirements, expectations for satisfactory academic progress, and clear policies regarding transfer credit, academic probation, and graduation, all designed to maintain the quality of the MAEd degree.

Maine College of Art & Design 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. This affiliation connects the College’s students and alumni to a broader professional community of artists, educators, and creative leaders.

Founded in 1882, Maine College of Art & Design is the oldest art school in Maine and a recognized leader in creative education. Our location in Portland’s Arts District, combined with our long history of educating artists and designers, contributes to a strong reputation founded on quality, community, and innovation.

The College is known for:

• A long-standing role as an independent college dedicated to art and design
• Strong financial stewardship and transparency
• Well-regarded on-campus and online programs that reflect our mission to educate artists and designers for life

These strengths give you confidence that you're joining a stable, respected institution with deep roots in the arts and education community.

The MAEd program is built on clear standards, strong support, and a commitment to ongoing improvement. Maine College of Art & Design maintains high expectations for academic performance, regularly reviews curriculum, and ensures that online graduate learning remains rigorous, engaging, and relevant.

Our approach includes:

• Regular accreditation review through the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Defined academic policies for online graduate study, including GPA and progress requirements
• Community and equity initiatives that inform program design and teaching practices
• Transparent reporting and responsible institutional stewardship

These practices ensure that the MAEd adapts to the needs of today’s educators and creative professionals, so your learning experience stays current, meaningful, and impactful.

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

*This program is eligible for Federal Financial Aid

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

No. An MA in Education is a graduate-level degree that strengthens your skills in curriculum design, creative teaching, leadership, and community engagement. It’s designed for educators and professionals who want to deepen their practice or advance into new roles. A teaching degree or teacher certification program, on the other hand, prepares you specifically for state licensure.

No, this program does not lead to a teaching certification.

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.

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 the optimal number of courses per e-term for your specific circumstances.

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