Ceramics Master of Fine Arts Degree
Ceramics
Master of Fine Arts Degree
With an MFA in ceramics you'll enhance your artistic expression through the study of aesthetics and theory.
Overview
The MFA in ceramics develops your intellectual and artistic thinking through an extensive curriculum. You will rigorously examine the work of historical and contemporary artists and craftspeople as you expand your knowledge of the techniques within the ceramics field. In-depth critiques give you a deep understanding of your own work as well as your peers to enhance your artistic expression and personal voice. Earning your degree in ceramics will deepen your understanding of aesthetics, forming processes, and fine art theory as it further enhances your career in ceramics.
What is Ceramics?
Ceramics is an artistic craft in which objects from earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain (including pottery, vases, bowls, sculptures, tiles, and more) are created and shapes using a mixture of clay, silica, feldspar and other materials. Once an object has been created, it is fired in a kiln, or a high temperature oven. Afterwards, may ceramic objects are then decorated with paints, glazes, and other finishing materials.
MFA in Ceramics
RIT's MFA in ceramics focuses on artistic development through an intensive teaching of the aesthetics and techniques of ceramic design. Graduate studio courses, seminar courses, and in-depth critiques, in conjunction with thesis planning and implementation, provide students with a deep understanding of not only their own work but the work of other students and their peers. Students examine the creativity, perceptions, aesthetics, and criticism of the work of contemporary artists and craftspeople in courses and discussions. Thesis reviews track students' progress towards the final thesis presentation, which is completed when a formal critique and evaluation is performed by the thesis committee.
Studio Residency Program
The School for American Crafts offers a Studio Residency Program for students in ceramics, furniture design, glass, and metals and jewelry design. Residence positions are limited and are awarded after the review of all applicants’ portfolios, transcripts, and references. An interview is required. Accepted residents are required to register for one independent study credit during each semester of residence.
Accepted residents are expected to be present in their assigned studio during class hours and to contribute up to 10 hours of work per week in the main studio. These work hours are coordinated and overseen by the faculty in the resident's discipline. In exchange, the school will provide workspace, access to facilities, and supportive instruction. The resident is invited to participate in the full range of studio activities.
Participants may be those seeking additional studio experience prior to undergraduate or graduate study, early career professionals, or teachers on leave who wish to work again in an academic studio environment. The faculty in each discipline will make decisions concerning appropriate candidates.
Inquiries should be made to the Studio Residency Program, School for American Crafts, College of Art and Design, Rochester Institute of Technology, 73 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623-5603.
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Careers and Experiential Learning
Typical Job Titles
| Craft Artist | Artist-in-Residence |
| Sculptor | Studio Technician |
Salary and Career Information for Ceramics MFA
Cooperative Education and Internships
What makes an RIT education exceptional? It’s the ability to complete relevant, hands-on career experience. At the graduate level, and paired with an advanced degree, cooperative education and internships give you the unparalleled credentials that truly set you apart. Learn more about graduate co-op and how it provides you with the career experience employers look for in their next top hires.
Cooperative education, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities are optional but strongly encouraged for graduate students in the MFA in ceramics.
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Installation
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Curriculum for Ceramics MFA
Ceramics, MFA degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| CCER-601 | Ceramics Practice This course will explore advanced aesthetics and techniques of ceramics. Course content is structured on the basis of the individual student’s needs, interests, and background preparation. There will be a strengthening of ceramics techniques, design fundamentals, and encouragement of personal expression. The student will be encouraged to evaluate new techniques, materials, and concepts. **Fee: A materials fee is required for this course, and an additional course fee applied via student account** Studio 6 (Fall Or Spring). |
6 |
| CCER-611 | Ceramic Processes Students will build upon their experience to further advance the technical, aesthetic and conceptual understanding of ceramic form and surface. This course will work from a set of prompts which will provide parameters for building individual bodies of work in a variety of different forming processes. Students will work from conceptual and contextual prompts to gain insight and build skills with advanced forming processes, surface investigation, idea development, and documentation. **Fee: A materials fee is required for this course, and an additional course fee applied via student account** Studio 6 (Fall Or Spring). |
6 |
| STAR-701 | Technology in the Studio This course will introduce a contemporary technology used by the course instructor in their studio practice. Students will be encouraged to investigate how this technology may be applied in their making process. The subjects offered in the course will vary according to the faculty teaching the class. The course can be taken multiple times with faculty permission. Studio 6 (Fall Or Spring). |
3 |
| STAR-702 | Studio Art Research This course will prepare graduate students for the written component of the thesis. Course content will cover defining research in the arts, arts based research, research through practice, critical judgment, writing strategically and critically for reflective thinking and scholarly dissemination. At the completion of this course students will be able to write a thesis proposal addressing a research question or direction along with objectives, context, and methods. (Prerequisites: STAR-701 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| STAR-714 | Ideation and Series Creative flow, having an endless stream of ideas, alternatives, and choices for solutions, helps creative work evolve and reach more advanced levels. In this course students develop appropriate skills and strategies to generate ideas and develop them effectively into a cohesive body of work. (Prerequisites: This course is restricted to students in the FNAS-MFA or GLASS-MFA
or METAL-MFA or CCER-MFA or WOOD-MFA programs.) Studio 6 (Fall). |
3 |
Open Electives |
6 | |
Professional Elective |
3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| CCER-601 | Ceramics Practice This course will explore advanced aesthetics and techniques of ceramics. Course content is structured on the basis of the individual student’s needs, interests, and background preparation. There will be a strengthening of ceramics techniques, design fundamentals, and encouragement of personal expression. The student will be encouraged to evaluate new techniques, materials, and concepts. **Fee: A materials fee is required for this course, and an additional course fee applied via student account** Studio 6 (Fall Or Spring). |
6 |
| CCER-611 | Ceramic Processes Students will build upon their experience to further advance the technical, aesthetic and conceptual understanding of ceramic form and surface. This course will work from a set of prompts which will provide parameters for building individual bodies of work in a variety of different forming processes. Students will work from conceptual and contextual prompts to gain insight and build skills with advanced forming processes, surface investigation, idea development, and documentation. **Fee: A materials fee is required for this course, and an additional course fee applied via student account** Studio 6 (Fall Or Spring). |
6 |
| STAR-706 | Business Practices for Studio Artists This class is devoted to business issues that artists must address including portfolio management, pricing and marketing strategies, and public relations for pursuit of a professional career as studio artists. Financial and communication skills are highlighted as are networking skills for the advancement of an artist’s work. (Prerequisites: This course is restricted to students in the FNAS-MFA or GLASS-MFA
or METAL-MFA or CCER-MFA or WOOD-MFA programs.) Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| STAR-718 | Research Methods and Publication Students will conduct research appropriate for individual thesis directions, incorporate that research into writing, analyze and review their thesis body of work then produce and publish their written thesis document. (Prerequisites: STAR-702 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| STAR-790 | Research and Thesis This is the first of two courses designed to advance a student towards completion of their thesis. Students will work independently on their approved proposal while meeting on a regular basis with their committee chair. Students are required to meet at least twice with their full committee during the semester. (Prerequisites: STAR-702 or equivalent course.) Thesis (Fall). |
3 |
| STAR-890 | Thesis For this final thesis course students continue working with their committee to evaluate work produced, and select the work to be exhibited. In addition, students will work with gallery coordinators and curators to install and exhibit their final body of work. Students are expected to defend their work to the committee through an oral defense and a written document. (Prerequisite: STAR-790 or equivalent course.) Thesis (Spring). |
6 |
Open Elective |
3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 60 |
|
Professional Electives
| Course | |
|---|---|
| ARTH-600+ | Any ARTH-600 level course or above |
| IDEA-705 | Thinking About Making: The Practice of Art in a Global Society The course seeks to bridge the gap between studio practice and contemporary art history. Course content will explore current work and ask questions about what is art, who is the audience, what is “our” art making practice, and how does that fit within the larger context of the current state of the global art world. How do we measure success and artistic failure? The course emphasizes observation, critical analysis, and written interpretation. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring). |
| IDEA-776 | College Teaching and Learning This course will provide students with an introduction to the scholarship of teaching and learning in the university environment. Students will explore a range of perspectives on pedagogical practice, curriculum development and the assessment of learning in a studio, lab and seminar based classroom. Additionally, students will focus on ways that students learn, how learning can be improved, and different methods of conducting research into teaching and learning. Students are expected to write critical papers and essays, develop curriculum resources, and to participate in weekly small and large format discussion groups. Online technology is utilized in addition to lectures, videos, and other forms of media. Lecture 3 (Fall). |
| STAR-635 | Curating and Managing Art Spaces This course explores the roles of contemporary, traditional, and alternative art spaces through curatorial studies, exhibition evaluation and criticism. Student will consider gallery administration roles and supporting operations, and undertake site visitations and gallery research. Students will organize and install a final exhibition project in an approved exhibition venue. (This class is restricted to degree-seeking graduate students or those with permission from instructor.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
| STAR-645 | Art Exhibition Critique This course will explore the role of the art exhibition and its effect on the discourse and practice of art. Course content will focus on: contemporary and historical exhibition studies, individual and group projects. Student will also conduct site visitations and evaluation, and critique work in the context of exhibition. (This class is restricted to degree-seeking graduate students or those with permission from instructor.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
| STAR-758 | Studio Art Critique Students will explore the process of critical analysis of studio work. Content will focus on the structure and form of the critique process. They will discuss, defend, and interpret existing studio work as they work towards their thesis. Faculty led critiques will include studio visits for in depth analysis of works in progress. (Prerequisites: This course is restricted to students in the FNAS-MFA or GLASS-MFA
or METAL-MFA or CCER-MFA or WOOD-MFA programs.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring). |
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the MFA program in ceramics, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete an online graduate application. Refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements for information on application deadlines, entry terms, and more.
- Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
- Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college in a field of arts, sciences, or education.
- Recommended minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent).
- Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Two letters of recommendation are required. Refer to Application Instructions and Requirements for additional information.
- Not all programs require the submission of scores from entrance exams (GMAT or GRE). Please refer to the Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements page for more information.
- Submit a portfolio. Refer to Graduate Portfolio Requirements for more information.
- Submit a personal statement of educational objectives. Refer to Application Instructions and Requirements for additional information.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit official test scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. Students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements for additional information on English language requirements. International applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver. Refer to the English Language Test Scores section within Graduate Application Materials to review waiver eligibility.
Learn about admissions, cost, and financial aid
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