Art Department Utilizes Desire2Learn for New Masters Program

When prospective students consider studying art, they generally consider in-class coursework that deal with two- or three-dimensional projects, as well as in-class with critiques. However, the art department has recently developed an online graduate program that brings a whole new meaning to art education.

Dr. Patricia Belleville, an art education professor and the department’s graduate program director, has spent the last two years working to develop the Master of Arts in Art with Art Education and Community Art options program. This program is offered online -- with a few hybrid courses -- and relies on the Desire2Learn (D2L) online environment for completion of a majority of the coursework.

Screenshot of Pinterest art collection

Some projects students have completed include the creation of a map of their art education history and posting images of contemporary art practices. Each of these projects is shared on the discussion board in D2L, which allows other students to comment. “The discussion forums are not just about writing, but also more of a creative outlet for the students,” Belleville stated. The students have even been developing and curating an art collection on the Pinterest social media site.

“One of the students collected drawings from her son, providing information about how old he was and the time when his artwork was created. Another student used work from non-professional art learners in grades 11 and 12 that he had taught,” added Belleville.

The online format makes the program accessible to anyone. One student is currently enrolled while living and working as an art teacher in Thailand. He found out about the program via social media and decided it would be a good way to earn his master’s degree while teaching abroad.

Because its students are enrolled in two courses each semester, this graduate program is not like any other program on campus. One course is during the first 8-week session and the second course is during the second 8-week session. This allows students to focus on one course at a time. It also allows students to begin the program during the middle of a semester if they wish to do so.

Vineyard map of Art
Education History

As previously mentioned, hybrid courses are also offered. This means students come to campus for one week in the studio and complete the remaining three weeks at home. If students begin and go straight through the program, it is possible for them to complete the program in two years.

“How can we help these teachers get an advance in their pay grade and have it so that they can work their schedules around it?,” Belleville questioned. “This program is for certified art teachers and allows for them to be in different parts of the country and share their difference experiences with each other.”

For more information contact Dr. Patricia Belleville via email: pkbelleville@eiu.edu.