Master of Fine Arts - Jewelry and Metal Arts

The MFA Jewelry & Metal Arts program emphasizes advanced studio coursework and thesis concept development. Students focus on mastering fabrication and casting skills, learning digital techniques, and exploring cross-cultural themes before embarking on individual Directed Study/thesis paths leading to a visually powerful and conceptually cohesive professional portfolio.

Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:

MFA Thesis Project

• Present an original thesis concept worthy of the MFA degree.
• Demonstrate the feasibility of the thesis project.
• Produce a cohesive body of work demonstrating personal vision and professional level achievement in concept and execution.

Visual Communication

• Work with advanced level skill in chosen mediums and techniques.
• Research and Concept Development
• Explore ideas, articulate concepts, and conceive solutions.
• Apply project-related research to design solutions.

Critical Analysis

• Critically discuss work using objective criteria: describing facts, analyzing techniques, interpreting content, and evaluating results
• Discuss work within the context of historical movements and contemporary trends in the thesis proposal, final paper, and directed study journals.

Presentation Skills

• Give clear, concise presentations supported by appropriate visual materials.

Professional Readiness

• Professionally present and exhibit artwork.
• Manage workload to meet deadlines.
• Produce a portfolio and collateral materials suitable for chosen career path.

*Note App Fee Waiver in effect for ApplyBoard to reduce the application fee to $50*