Master in
Master of Fine Arts in Glass Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Introduction
Develop your personal creative voice through intensive research, discussion, critique, and experimentation in the 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.
Industries
- Performing and Fine Arts
- Higher Education
- Design
- Museum
Gallery
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
RIT awards more than $37 million in merit scholarships and assistantships to graduate students each year. Scholarship awards range from 10% - 40% of tuition. Awards are based on an applicant's academic excellence. Many things are considered when awarding scholarships - undergraduate grades, graduate placement test scores, and your research and work experience all factor in.
Graduate assistantships are offered to full-time matriculated graduate students to serve as teaching, research, or administrative assistants. Graduate Assistants receive wages (determined by the department making the appointment) in exchange for work performed. Many graduate assistants also receive tuition remission (i.e., tuition support) in addition to receiving wages for assistantship duties.
Graduate students can be awarded both scholarships and assistantships. These funding opportunities are the same for both US and international applicants.
Optional Co-Op: cooperative education is paid work assignments with corporations and organizations around the U.S. and abroad. Co-op allows students to spend one or more semesters employed in a full-time, paid position related to their academic program before they graduate. Many students use co-op earnings to help finance their education.
Work-Study: graduate students studying full-time may apply to work part-time on campus. RIT has more than 9,000 jobs available each year, and students typically work 10 – 20 hours per week. International students studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa may work up to 20 hours per week on campus and 40 hours during break periods.
Curriculum
Glass, MFA degree, typical course sequence
First Year
- CGLS-701 Glass Graduate Studio I
- CGLS-702 Glass Graduate Studio II
- STAR-702 Studio Arts Research
- ARTH-605 Thinking About Making: The Practice of Art in a Global Society
- STAR-714 Ideation and Series
- STAR-706 Business Practices
- Free Electives
Second Year
- CGLS-790 Glass Thesis Initiation
- CGLS-890 Glass Thesis Resolution
- CGEN-703 Thesis Implementation
- CGEN-704 Thesis Review
- CAD Studio Electives*
- Free Elective
Career Opportunities
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
English Language Requirements
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