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 devotion to their work and the high standards of discipline and artistic ideals. By immersing yourself in soldering, fabrication, stone setting, silversmithing, forging, and casting, this jewelry design degree will develop your knowledge and deepen your 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 degree that involves the presentation of a thesis. You will spend ample time creating work as you strengthen your metals techniques, design fundamentals, and personal expression while also exploring the process of critical analysis of your studio work. You will also gain deep knowledge in gallery administration and operations, and you'll participate in gallery and museum visitations and research.

Jewelry Design Courses

The jewelry design degree provides you with broad exposure to metalworking techniques, expands your knowledge of applied design, strengthens perceptual and philosophical concepts, and develops your individual modes of expression. This sequence leads to a master’s thesis, where you will work with RIT's gallery coordinators and curators to install and exhibit a final body of work you created over the course of the program. You will also learn the business side of art, including portfolio management, pricing, marketing strategies, and public relations–all skills needed by artists who embark on a professional career as a studio artist. 

Metals and Jewelry Design, MFA degree, typical course sequence
Course    Sem. Cr. Hrs.
First Year
CMTJ-601    Metals and Jewelry Design Graduate Studio    12
STAR-701    Technology in the Studio    3
STAR-702    Studio Art Research    3
STAR-714    Ideation and Series    3
     
Open Electives
6
     
Professional Elective
3
Second Year
CMTJ-601    Metals and Jewelry Design Graduate Studio    12
STAR-706    Business Practices for Studio Artists    3
STAR-718    Research Methods and Publication    3
STAR-790    Research and Thesis    3
STAR-890    Thesis    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
IDEA-776    College Teaching
STAR-635    Curating and Managing Art Spaces
STAR-645    Art Exhibition Critique
STAR-758    Studio Art Critique
 

Admission Requirements

To be considered for the MFA program in metals and jewelry design, 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 requirements. International applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver. Refer to Additional Requirements for International Applicants to review waiver eligibility.

Tuition fee-2 years1,06,000

Total fee-2 years1,44,000