Metals and Jewelry Design Master of fine arts degree
Metals and Jewelry Design
Master of fine arts degree
Overview
Challenge traditional ways of thinking as you create works that leave a lasting impression.
The MFA in metals and jewelry design is a professional degree for practicing artists, craftspeople, or designers who desire to leave a lasting impression on their fields through a devotion to their work and the high standards of discipline and artistic ideals. This jewelry design degree challenges conventional thinking. In this major, you’ll improve your knowledge and experience working with different theories and materials while you are challenged to think unconventionally in order to redefine industry standards.
The MFA in metals and jewelry design is generally a two-year, full-time program that involves the presentation of a thesis, which includes written documentation and a formal exhibition of a body of work.
The program provides students with broad exposure to metal working techniques, expands knowledge of applied design, strengthens perceptual and philosophical concepts, and develops an individual mode of expression. This sequence leads to a master’s thesis, inaugurated by the student and overseen by the faculty. The program is structured on the basis of individual needs, interests, and background preparation, as may be determined through faculty counseling.
Industries
Typical Job Titles
| Accessory Designer | Accessory Jewelry Designer |
| Apprentice/Employee for Artist or Master Craftsperson | Art Critic |
| Blacksmith | Corporate Jewelry Designer |
| Custom Jewelry Designer | Design Consultant |
| Design Corporate Manager | Entrepreneur |
| Faculty/Instructor | Fine Jeweler |
| Goldsmith | Jewelry Design Entrepreneur |
| Jewelry Design Professor | Jewelry Design Repairperson |
| Jewelry Industry Supervisor | Jewelry Instructor |
| Jewelry Salesperson | Jewelry Technician |
| Metalsmith | Product Designer |
| Professional Artist | Self-employed Artist, Artisan and/or Designer |
| Silversmith | Studio Jewelry Artist |
| Studio Fine Artist | Studio Technicians |
| Visiting Artist |
Featured Work
Shining Bright
Xinhao Yang
Xinhao Yang was awarded Best in Show in the Society of North American Goldsmiths’ 2017 juried student exhibition for this acrylic, copper and zinc creation.
Danlin Zhao
Badreyah Almuqhawi
Latest News
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June 7, 2019
![Carlos Caballero-Perez stands beside his newest sculpture, "Connection"]()
Professor's new sculpture stands tall in heart of Fairport
A sculpture by metals and jewelry design professor Carlos Caballero-Perez was recently installed in Fairport, with the piece representing a "Connection" to the village's history.
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May 5, 2019
![]()
RIT printmaking partners with Albert Paley for project
MFA students worked with the renowned sculptor to create a 200-piece print of an image featuring one of his sculptures.
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January 16, 2019
![Julia Manson's second downtown Rochester sculpture sits in front of the 3 City Center office building.]()
Alumna makes her mark on local art scene with second downtown sculpture
Julia Manson '17 designs "Gateway," her second prominently placed work in downtown Rochester.
Curriculum
Metals and Jewelry Design, MFA degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| CMTJ-601 |
Metals and Jewelry Design Graduate Studio
This course covers the advanced aesthetics and techniques in metals and culminating in the Master’s of Fine Arts Thesis. The course is structured on the individual student’s needs, interests and background preparation as they may be determined through faculty counseling. There will be a strengthening of metals techniques, design fundamentals and encouragement of personal expression. The student will be encouraged to evaluate new techniques, materials and concepts. This course is repeatable and leads to the master’s thesis, proposed by the student and approved by the faculty. Lab fee is required.
|
12 |
| STAR-701 |
Technology in Studio
Students will be introduced to three-dimensional modeling software and visualization its application in creating art. Three-dimensional modeling techniques will be used to visualize student ideas. In addition to modeling, this course will introduce lighting principles that will provide guidelines for presenting work. A variety of simulated materials will allow students to explore color, pattern, texture, opacity, and other surface characteristics. Students will construct their “virtual sketches” using traditional methods, 3D printing output, or a hybrid of both.
|
3 |
| STAR-702 |
Studio Art Research
Graduate students prepare for the written component of the thesis through practice with research, critical judgment, and development of outlines and essays. Contemporary art issues are clarified through discussion and readings in art history, art criticism, artist statements and interviews.
|
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.
|
3 |
Free Elective |
6 | |
Professional Elective |
3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| CMTJ-601 |
Metals and Jewelry Design Graduate Studio
This course covers the advanced aesthetics and techniques in metals and culminating in the Master’s of Fine Arts Thesis. The course is structured on the individual student’s needs, interests and background preparation as they may be determined through faculty counseling. There will be a strengthening of metals techniques, design fundamentals and encouragement of personal expression. The student will be encouraged to evaluate new techniques, materials and concepts. This course is repeatable and leads to the master’s thesis, proposed by the student and approved by the faculty. Lab fee is required.
|
12 |
| 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.
|
3 |
| STAR-718 | Research Methods and Publication |
3 |
| STAR-790 |
Research and Thesis
In this first of two thesis courses students will choose their committee members and work with them to finalize and approve a thesis proposal while beginning the thesis body of work. Through several mandatory meetings faculty advisors will give feedback on writing, direction and visual studio work produced in preparation for the thesis exhibition.
|
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.
|
6 |
Free Elective |
3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 60 |
|
Admission Requirements
To be considered for the MFA program in metals and jewelry design, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete a graduate application.
- Hold a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) from an accredited university or college in a field of arts, sciences, or education.
- Submit official transcripts (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work. Undergraduate degrees should include 50 semester hours in studio courses.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. A minimum TOEFL score of 80 (internet-based) is required. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 is required. The English language test score requirement is waived for native speakers of English or for those submitting transcripts from degrees earned at American institutions.
- Submit a portfolio. (Refer to Graduate Portfolio Requirements for more information.)
Learn about admissions and financial aid
Additional Info
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.