Earning an Arts Integration Specialist Program Certificate
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Arts Integration Specialist Program?
The first of its kind in the United States, the Arts Integration Specialist Program (AISP) provides K-12 teachers and teaching artists in public schools the insight, understanding, and skills they require to provide engaging and effective art and arts-integrated lessons across all areas of curriculum.
The Arts Integration Specialist Program offers core courses and elective courses, with the option to acquire continuing education units through Cal State East Bay and Mills College. The Arts Integration Specialist Program was developed at the California College of the Arts and is sponsored by the Alameda County Office of Education’s Alliance for Arts Learning Leadership.
How can participants obtain an Arts Integration Specialist Certificate?
Participants can qualify for an Arts Integration Specialist Program Certificate by successfully completing 12 units of coursework.
What is AISP coursework?
Core Class A: Strategies and Resources for Arts Integration (30 hours; 3 units)
Core Class B: Collaborative Curriculum Design (30 hours; 3 units)
Core Class C: Ongoing Assessment Strategies and Applications: Making Learning Visible, Studio Habits of Mind, Rubrics and Portfolios (30 hours; 3 units, pending approval)
In addition to these three mandatory core courses, individuals seeking the certificate must take three units of elective courses totaling 30 hours. Alameda County Office of Education in partnership with Teaching Artist Organized (TAO) has identified a suite of elective courses offered by qualified arts educators, teaching artists, and arts organizations. Individuals must use the Elective Log to document their 30 hours of electives.
When are these courses offered?
Coursework is offered throughout the school year and summer.
How long do I have to complete the program?
Upon entering the program, the 12 units of AISP Certificate coursework should be completed within a 3-year period. All courses (both core or elective) must be completed with a passing grade; student work is graded pass or fail.
Do I have to take the coursework sequentially?
It is recommended that core Courses A and B be taken sequentially. It is also recommended that participants take core Courses A and/or B before Course C. Electives courses can be taken at anytime.
Can I take courses now and decide later about applying for the AISP?
You can take any of the core and/or elective courses without working towards an AISP Certificate. Applicants can apply coursework retroactively, should they decide to apply for the AISP Certificate. Individuals who are interested in working towards an Arts Integration Specialist Program Certificate, should complete the Arts Integration Specialist Program Certificate Application.
How will obtaining a AISP certificate help me?
The Arts Integration Specialist Certificate qualifies teaching artists, credentialed arts teachers, multiple subject and single subject credentialed teachers to provide leadership, as well as pedagogical and content knowledge to professional learning communities within their school and district contexts. The Arts Integration Specialist Program curriculum gives participants experience in the following:
- working knowledge in one or more artistic disciplines
- curriculum development using Teaching for Understanding frameworks and Visual and Performing Arts Standards as guides
- collaboration skills
- knowledge of contemporary art
- strategies for arts integration
- assessing student learning in the arts
- making learning visible in the arts and across the curriculum
- showing evidence of learning through public presentation
Arts Integration Specialist Program Certificate graduates become part of an ongoing network of education professionals, academics, and peers who are an invaluable resource for best practices as well as opportunities for collaboration, coaching, curriculum innovations, and professional advancement. Through their shared experience, participants learn to connect across disciplines and environments, reflect upon and deepen their practices, and create new, genuine experiences for students. This collegial approach fosters a community of high-quality teachers, vital to a robust, accessible education for public school students.
How do I get CEU credits for this coursework?
Continuing Education Units (CEU) are available for an additional fee through Cal State East Bay and Mills College.
How do I apply?
In order to register for courses you need to create a login. You can use your login to register for any AISP courses and ACOE Professional Development classes.
For existing users, click here to begin registration.
**If you have any questions regarding registration please contact Sierra Falcon at 510.670.4557, or by email.