Glass Master of fine arts degree
Glass
Master of fine arts degree
Overview
Dive deeper into your examination of glass as you develop your artistic expression through research, experimentation, and in-depth critiques.
Develop your personal creative voice through intensive research, discussion, critique, and experimentation in glass. In the glass master’s degree you are given full access to a complete glass facility and individual studio space. Graduate studio courses, seminar courses, and in-depth critiques give you a deeper understanding of the craft as you design pieces that flourish your personal expression.
The MFA in glass is a two-year program of study. An individual studio space serves to strengthen your technique and practice in designing pieces that reflect your personal expression of the medium. Graduate studio courses, seminar courses, and in-depth critiques are offered in conjunction with thesis planning and implementation to provide you with a deep understanding of glass. In addition to course work and creative production, you are exposed to a broad range of critical issues related to the conception and production of art, to inspire and provoke critical reflection and facilitate the development of a thesis exhibition and supporting documentation.
Studio Residency Program
The MFA program is seeking candidates interested in pursuing glass-related research for the 2020-21 academic year while contributing to the creative community of the glass program and the College of Art and Design. Learn more about the Glass Studio Residency Program, including details on how to apply.
Industries
Typical Job Titles
| Artistic Director | Creative Director |
| Independent Artist | Small Business Owner/Operator |
| Professional Artist Assistant | Professional Designer |
| Professional Gaffer | Professional Fabricator |
| Freelance Artist Assistant | Freelance Designer |
| Freelance Fabricator | Freelance Gaffer |
| Gallery Director | Gallery Preparator |
| Exhibition Curator | Studio Technician |
| Studio Technician Assistant | Professional Hot Shop Employee |
| Professional Kiln Studio Employee | Professional Cold Working Employee |
| Education Director | Glass Education: High School Teaching |
| Glass Education: Undergraduate/Graduate Teaching | Glass Education: Public Access Studio Teaching |
| Glass Education: Public Demonstration/Narration for Museums, Art Centers, Education Centers | Glass Education: Material Study Workshop Teaching |
| Glass Education: Registrar/Administration | Glass Industry: Architecture |
| Glass Industry: Scientific Instrumentation | Glass Industry: Equipment/Tool Manufacturing |
Featured Work
Interactive Art Experience
Madeline Rile Smith
Madeline Rile Smith, a second-year RIT Glass MFA student, designed flameworked glass trumpets that serve, as the series title suggests, as “Instruments for Connection and Compromise.”
Mixed Media Work Wins Best in Show
Kayla Cantu
Kayla Cantu ’20 MFA (Glass) has two pieces featured in Nazareth College’s “Mixed Media” exhibition, on view through March 1 at the campus’ Arts Center Gallery. One of the works, “Pull,” was awarded...
Art Festival Exhibit
Chenyue Yang
RIT Glass MFA student Chenyue Yang was invited to exhibit her work in the 12th annual Portal: Governors Island art festival throughout September 2019 in New York City. The art festival ...
Featured Profiles
Glass as Performance Art
Gracia Nash ’19
“Lay Me Down to Rest” by Gracia Nash ’19 MFA (Glass) is a performance involving the body and a glass blanket. The piece explores the creation of safe and comfortable places, and the often taxing...
Curriculum
Glass, MFA degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| CGLS-601 |
Glass Graduate Studio
This course will cover the advanced aesthetics and techniques of glass. This course is structured on the basis of the individual student’s needs, interests and background preparation as they may be determined through faculty counseling. Course content will focus on glass techniques, design fundamentals and personal expression. The student will be encouraged to evaluate new techniques, materials and concepts. This course will be retaken for credit and leads to the master’s thesis, proposed by the student and approved by the faculty. **There is a lab fee for this course.**
|
12 |
| STAR-701 |
Technology in the 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 |
Open Electives |
6 | |
Professional Elective |
3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| CGLS-601 |
Glass Graduate Studio
This course will cover the advanced aesthetics and techniques of glass. This course is structured on the basis of the individual student’s needs, interests and background preparation as they may be determined through faculty counseling. Course content will focus on glass techniques, design fundamentals and personal expression. The student will be encouraged to evaluate new techniques, materials and concepts. This course will be retaken for credit and leads to the master’s thesis, proposed by the student and approved by the faculty. **There is a lab fee for this course.**
|
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
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.
|
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 |
Open Elective |
3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 60 |
|
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the MFA program in glass, 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, cost, and financial aid
Latest News
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April 15, 2020
![graphic with portrait of Robin Cass.]()
Robin Cass named American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow for 2020-21
The American Council on Education has named Robin Cass of RIT’s College of Art and Design an ACE Fellow for academic year 2020-21. Following her nomination by RIT President David Munson and a rigorous application process, Cass was among 38 Fellows selected this year.
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April 7, 2020
![A photographic sculpture of landscapes.]()
Thesis, capstone exhibitions move online
The College of Art and Design's spring exhibitions are going virtual — they can be experienced on Instagram and a website.
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January 17, 2020
![Glass students put on an art performance incorporating elements of glass and color.]()
Glass-color science crossover underscores RIT's collaborative setting
A multidisciplinary research project saw RIT Glass students team up with the Munsell Color Science Laboratory to investigate how color — beyond its tangible application — can be incorporated into their practice.
