Certificate in Teaching Art History

The University of St. Thomas has cultivated a rich tradition of intellectual inquiry and ethical leadership. At the heart of the St. Thomas experience is a dedication to holistic education, where students are not only equipped with knowledge and skills but also encouraged to explore their ethical and moral responsibilities. St. Thomas offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple disciplines, all underscored by a rigorous curriculum and a supportive learning environment. The university prides itself on fostering a tight-knit community where faculty, staff, and students collaborate to address real-world challenges. This emphasis on community extends beyond the campus, with St. Thomas actively contributing to the betterment of society through service-learning initiatives and partnerships with local organizations. As a beacon of intellectual inquiry and social responsibility, the University of St. Thomas stands as a testament to the transformative power of education.

Created in consultation with St. Paul Public Schools, the University of St. Thomas credentialing program meets the Higher Learning Commission’s (HLC) requirements for teaching art history in Minnesota high schools. According to the new HLC requirements, teachers who deliver these courses must have 18 credit hours of graduate coursework in art history. Our graduate courses focus on issues and problems in art history, the process of defining and carrying out a research agenda, the use of various methodologies and theories to define and interpret evidence, critical analysis of the ethics of collecting and displaying works of art, and the ability to read both analytically and critically original and scholarly material. The program emphasizes an inclusive perspective that encompasses a range of media and global cultures and a contextual approach to art that examines its social, economic, political, and religious importance.