Program Overview

Metals and Jewelry Design Master of Fine Arts Degree

Overview

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.

RIT’s Jewelry Master’s Degree

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.

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.

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.

Careers and Experiential Learning

Typical Job Titles

• Bench Jeweler
• Curatorial Intern
• Designer
• Silversmith
• Teaching Assistant

Cooperative Education and Internships

Cooperative education, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities are encouraged for graduate students in the MFA in metals and jewelry design.

Creative Industry Days

RIT’s Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education hosts Creative Industry Days, which connects students majoring in art, design, film and animation, photography, and select computing majors with companies, organizations, creative agencies, design firms, and more.

Curriculum

Metals and Jewelry Design, MFA degree, typical course sequence

• 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

Professional Electives

• 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 and Learning
• STAR-635 | Curating and Managing Art Spaces
• STAR-645 | Art Exhibition Critique
• STAR-758 | Studio Art Critique

Admissions and Financial Aid

Application Details

To be considered for admission to the Metals and Jewelry Design MFA program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

• Complete an online graduate application.
• 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. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) is recommended.
• Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.
• Submit two letters of recommendation.
• Entrance exam requirements: None
• Submit a portfolio.
• Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic), if required.

Cost and Financial Aid

An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method.

Faculty

• Juan Carlos Caballero-Perez

Facilities

• RIT City Art Space
• Metals and Jewelry Design Studio
• Bevier Gallery

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