Master of Teaching - Fine Arts 

At the University of Utah, our courses combine the flexibility of online teaching with the advantages and direct engagement of traditional teaching. Enjoy the benefit of studying online at your own pace while still engaging with classmates and instructors. This flexible way of teaching improves your overall experience and your ability to retain what you learn.

Interactive learning comes in a variety of ways:

• Group assignments, where you collaborate via email or a discussion forum to answer a problem set.
• Contributions to a discussion forum, where you directly respond to previous posts.
• Peer reviews, where you review and comment on assignments from other students.

Our classes also offer multiple routes to stay connected and get help:

• Communicate directly with the instructor via email.
• Participate in and guide online discussions.
• Attend online office hours in discussion threads or on the phone.
• Instructors are available in “real” office hours for students on or near campus; for some courses we offer Q&A sessions in a classroom.

MAT-FA from the College of Fine Arts

This is a college degree not housed in a single department.

The MAT-FA requires 30 semester hours of graduate-level course work in the teaching content area, the fine arts.

18 credit hours are devoted to two 12-day summer intensives on the University of Utah's main campus and include additional online work to be completed prior and subsequent to the on-campus sessions. Summer intensives provide colleagues opportunities to engage in and contribute to the greater vision and mission of what arts education is and can be, and emphasize methods-based arts teaching techniques. Cutting-edge arts teaching seminars convene local, national, and internationally recognized arts educators to work collaboratively with MAT-FA candidates, campus and community team teaching opportunities, and hybrid online reflective work. 

The additional 12 credit hours required for the degree consist of online work be completed during the fall and spring semesters of each of the two academic years. Online curriculum focuses on the areas of arts teaching theory and application via three individual arts teaching practicums that take place in collaboration with various local and national communities.

Download the MAT-FA Student Handbook (PDF).  

Total program tuition (beginning Fall Term 2023): $20,010* ($667 per credit x 30 credits).

• Tuition rate is current as of Fall 2023. Tuition is subject to change. Changes typically occur in the summer but can happen at any time. MAT-FA tuition chart (PDF)
• Please note tuition does not include additional fees such as online textbooks or proctored exams. Fees and materials vary by program. Please refer to the tuition estimator for a better idea of cost per semester.

*Subject to change without notice

This program qualifies for the U of U employee reduced tuition benefit.

The MAT-FA will prepare relevant 21st Century professional teaching artists, arts education scholars, interdisciplinary experts, curriculum designers, directors, regional and national arts education advocates and leaders. For licensed educators, a Master of Arts in Teaching - Fine Arts degree would fulfill reclassification requirements providing them a salary increase.

The application for Summer is available on August 1, with a deadline of March 15.

• A bachelor's degree in a specific art form.
• A state arts endorsement in theatre, dance, visual arts, film, or music.
• A cognate education degree suitable to the study of arts teaching.
• Commensurate arts teaching experience.

• Statement of Purpose: You should use your statement to describe your background, interests, and goals in the study of arts education.
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae listing your educational background and experience.
• Letter of recommendation (one is required, a second is optional).
• An Arts Teaching Portfolio will be required in addition to the Graduate School application materials and must contain the following materials:
  • 3 lesson plans (lessons focusing on work in the traditional classroom and alongside community organizations/participants accepted)
  • 1 arts teaching video (5-8 minutes in length)
  • Images of youth work and/or performances conducted alongside various community members.
  • Optional: Additional creative work.
• Current background-check: Students must submit documentation of a cleared background check prior to recommendation for admission into the Master of Arts in Teaching - Fine Arts program.
• Top applicants will be interviewed by the Arts Education Committee prior to admittance.