Program: Art Education, A.A. - Prairie State College

Jun 08, 2025

2023-2024 Catalog

To teach art in Illinois public schools, teachers must be licensed by the State of Illinois. To transfer into an approved bachelor’s program in art education as a junior, students must complete a minimum of 60 semester credits. Since admission is competitive, completion of the courses recommended below does not guarantee admission. Community college students are strongly encouraged to complete an Associate in Arts degree prior to transfer. Students should be aware that a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale is usually required for program admission. Students should consult their advisor and an advisor at the university early and often. This will ensure you are taking appropriate courses for the major and licensure requirements. Licensure requirements may change and these professionals will have the most up to date information to ensure you complete appropriate courses.

Suggested Curriculum

I. General Education Core (37-38)

Area A: Communication (9 credits)

ENG 101 Composition I 3 hrs transfer credit with a grade of C or better
ENG 102 Composition II 3 hrs transfer credit with a grade of C or better
COMM 101 Principles of Communication 3 hrs transfer credit

Area B: Humanities and Fine Arts (9 credits)

ART 121 History of Western Art I 3 hrs transfer credit
ART 122 History of Western Art II 3 hrs transfer credit
Select one English course numbered 200 or above from the list for Area B . ENG 243 recommended to meet the non-Western Cultures requirement at some senior institutions.

Area C: Mathematics (3 credits)

Select one math course from the list for Area C .

Area D: Physical and Life Sciences (7-8 credits)

Select one life science course and one physical science course from the list for Area D . One course must have a lab component.

Area E: Social and Behavioral Sciences (9 credits)

HIST 201 U.S. History: 1492 to 1877 3 hrs transfer credit or
HIST 202 U.S. History: 1877 to Present 3 hrs transfer credit
POLSC 140 Introduction to U.S. Government and Politics 3 hrs transfer credit
PSYCH 101 Introduction to Psychology 3 hrs transfer credit

II. Area of Concentration/Major Field (15-21)

Art Core Courses (12 credits)

ART 101 Two Dimensional Design 3 hrs transfer credit
ART 102 Three Dimensional Design 3 hrs transfer credit
ART 104 Drawing I 3 hrs transfer credit
ART 106 Drawing II 3 hrs transfer credit

Select at least one studio art course from the following:

ART 162 Life Drawing 3 hrs transfer credit
ART 201 Painting I 3 hrs transfer credit
ART 202 Painting II 3 hrs transfer credit
ART 205 Printmaking 3 hrs transfer credit
GC 151 Principles of Graphic Design 3 hrs transfer credit
PHOTO 171 Introduction to Photography 3 hrs transfer credit

III. Electives (3-10)

Select from the following teacher education electives:

ED 100 Foundations of American Public Education 3 hrs credit
ED 101 Child Growth and Development 3 hrs transfer credit
ED 212 Exceptional Child 3 hrs transfer credit

Additional non-Western course from:

ART 131 Survey of Non-Western Art 3 hrs transfer credit
GEOG 101 Cultural Geography 3 hrs transfer credit
HIST 111 World History to 1500 3 hrs transfer credit
HIST 112 World History: 1500 to Present 3 hrs transfer credit
HIST 115 African Civilizations I 3 hrs transfer credit
HIST 116 African Civilizations II 3 hrs transfer credit
HIST 140 History of Latin America 3 hrs transfer credit
HUMAN 101 Comparative Religions 3 hrs transfer credit
OR
PHILO 205 Eastern Philosophy 3 hrs transfer credit

Required A.A. Degree Program Total: 62 credits

Each college and university has its own major requirements and transfer policies. Consult the schools you are considering and a PSC advisor to discuss courses and their transferability.