Pratt Institute

You will build foundational skills across studio disciplines through Pratt's shared First Year Core, then begin exploring the art/design area that will become your teaching focus.

You will select your track, either the Art & Design Education (NYS certification) or Community Art & Design Education track, begin fieldwork placements and start teaching youth at Pratt's Saturday Art School.

You will complete supervised student teaching in NYC public schools and community settings, applying pedagogy and cultural-awareness coursework directly with K-12 students.

You will complete an integrative capstone connecting studio research and teaching practice, culminating in a senior exhibition of original work.

You will teach real K-12 students starting your junior year — first at Pratt's Saturday Art School, running continuously since 1897, then through fieldwork and student teaching built on partnerships with 37+ NYC public schools (via the NYC DOE Arts Office), museums like the Bronx Museum and community organizations such as Studio in a School and El Puente.

Teaching at Pratt happens in one of the most unique and culturally varied school systems in the country. Coursework and fieldwork placements focus on New York City's public schools, allowing you to plan culturally relevant art instruction that is responsive to students from different cultures and languages, including those with disabilities, even before you have your own classroom.

ADE faculty supervise you throughout their Saturday Art School teaching. You will also be supervised by a cooperating teacher and faculty supervisor during student teaching placements. After graduation, faculty will stay connected through citywide professional development, an annual Summer Middle School Bootcamp and a new alumni support group launching in fall 2026 for teachers in their first three years in the classroom.

The BFA is recognized by NYSED as an approved teacher preparation program. The department tracks graduates' hiring and retention in NYC Public Schools and uses that data to improve the program -- after noticing retention drop off after year three, ADE is launching an earlier, expanded exit-support curriculum (a Professional Practices II course, an Exit Handbook, and a new alumni support network) starting fall 2026.