Teaching double major in art for high schools and comprehensive high schools, Master of Education

Who is the Master’s Degree in Teaching Dual Subject Art Suitable For? Target Group and Requirements at a Glance

The Master's degree programme "Teaching Dual Subject Art for Grammar Schools and Comprehensive Schools" at Alanus University is aimed at Bachelor graduates with an interest in art and pedagogy who aspire to work as art teachers at grammar schools, comprehensive schools or Waldorf schools in North Rhine-Westphalia. The programme is also designed for individuals who wish to engage deeply with artistic practice and art education, and see the mediation of art as their career goal – whether in schools or in the extracurricular context of art mediation.

Admission Requirements: What Proofs are Required for the Master’s Programme?

• Completed relevant Bachelor’s degree: Usually required is a Bachelor’s degree (e.g. Bachelor of Education, Bachelor with teaching option, artistic Bachelor’s degree with educational sciences or a similar art education qualification) that fulfills the access requirements in North Rhine-Westphalia according to the Teacher Training Access Ordinance.
• Application with complete documents: Application requires academic transcripts, certificates as well as a transcript of records. A provisional certificate is sufficient if the first degree has not yet been officially awarded.
• Application period: Applications are possible all year round, and studies commence annually in the autumn semester (September).
• Personal selection interview: Selection is based on the documents submitted and during a personal selection interview.
• No requirement for portfolio or folder: Currently, no portfolio of artistic work needs to be submitted for the application. However, the student office is informally interested in digital samples of work, if available.
• Full-time attendance: The study programme, including the practical semester, is held full-time at the Alfter location / Bonn/Rhein-Sieg district.
• Individual assessment in borderline cases: If access requirements are not fully met, an individual assessment and consultation is planned.

The specific requirements are based on the current regulations in the Teacher Training Access Ordinance NRW and the examination regulations of Alanus University. Individual assessments in borderline cases are common.

Personal Requirements: Who is the Programme Especially Suitable For?

• Interest in artistic practice: Enjoyment in engaging artistically, working with various materials and developing independent art projects.
• Pedagogical commitment: Willingness to support children and young people in the creative field, accompany learning processes and take responsibility during teaching.
• Ability to reflect: Desire to engage theoretically and scientifically with art mediation and didactics and to develop one’s own pedagogical profile.
• Teamwork and communication skills: Ability to work constructively with colleagues, fellow students as well as pupils.
• Organisational talent: Willingness to independently organise lessons and projects and to become familiar with school procedures during the practical semester.
• Ability to study full-time: Ability to fully dedicate time to the study programme including practical phases.

The study programme is especially suitable for those seeking an interface between art and pedagogy. The intensive connection of theory and practice appeals to people who want to realise themselves artistically as well as engage socially.

What do you learn in the Master's programme in Dual Subject Teaching Art?

The Master's programme in Dual Subject Teaching Art for grammar schools and comprehensive schools at the Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences focuses on a versatile and practice-oriented education. You engage with artistic practice, art studies, art education, and educational sciences. The programme is complemented by an extensive practical semester, the module "German for Pupils with a Migration Background," as well as the final Master's thesis.

• Artistic Practice: Specialisation in painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture/plastic arts, installation/performance, photography and new media – also possible in combination. The focus is on working with various materials as well as independent artistic projects.
• Art Studies: Theoretical and cultural-historical reflection, analysis of visual arts, development of own art studies research questions.
• Art Education: Teaching didactic and methodological skills for art lessons at schools and in extracurricular contexts.
• Educational Sciences: Fundamentals of pedagogy and development of educational action competences.
• DSZ: Qualifications for teaching German to pupils with a migration background.
• Practical Semester: Intensive school-practical phase including accompanying seminars and independent research at schools in the Bonn/Rhein-Sieg area.
• Master's Thesis: Scientific final thesis with practical relevance.

How your studies proceed

The programme extends over 4 semesters in a full-time on-campus format at the Alfter campus. You start in autumn (September) and benefit from a close interlinking of theory and practice. In the third semester, you participate in the practical semester, which is an essential part of your studies. Here you have the opportunity to apply and further develop the knowledge you have gained under real conditions at schools. Throughout the entire study period, you work in artistic studios, take part in colloquia, and carry out your own artistic projects. All modules are accompanied by lectures, seminars, and block events.

• Duration of Study: 4 semesters (full-time)
• Start of studies: each September
• Location: Campus of Alanus University in Alfter near Bonn
• Practical Semester: in the 3rd semester, school-practical placement in the greater Bonn/Rhein-Sieg area

What career prospects do you have after graduation?

With the Master of Education in Dual Subject Teaching Art, you qualify directly for the subsequent preparatory service (Referendariat) at grammar schools, comprehensive schools, and Waldorf schools – specifically in North Rhine-Westphalia. After the preparatory service, you work as an art teacher. Opportunities also exist in extracurricular art mediation, for example in museums, art schools, or cultural centres. The research-reflective approach you developed during your studies is a valuable foundation for innovative educational and mediation work in school and cultural contexts.

• Art teaching at grammar schools and comprehensive schools (NRW)
• Teaching at Waldorf schools
• Work in extracurricular art mediation
• Cultural-educational projects and educational work

Studying in Alfter near Bonn: Atmosphere and infrastructure

The Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences is located in Alfter near Bonn. The art university offers a creative learning environment with differentiated studio spaces and modern equipped seminar rooms. The practical semester mainly takes place at schools in the Bonn/Rhein-Sieg district. The campus offers you the opportunity to exchange ideas with other art enthusiasts and to realise your projects in an inspiring environment.

Costs and financing options

For the Master's programme in Dual Subject Teaching Art, you pay 370 euros per month. The total costs thus amount to around 8,880 euros for all 4 semesters. Information on special financing options such as scholarships, education loans, or support opportunities is available directly at the Alanus University.

• Tuition fee: 370 euros per month
• Total costs: approx. 8,880 euros for 4 semesters