Master in
Master of Fine Arts in Metals & Jewelry Design Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Introduction
The MFA in metals and jewellery design is a professional degree for practising 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. This jewellery design degree challenges conventional thinking. In this major, you’ll improve your knowledge and 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 jewellery design is generally a two-year, full-time program that involves the presentation of a thesis, which includes written documentation and a formal exhibition of a body of work.
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
Metals and jewelry design, MFA degree, typical course sequence
First Year
- CMTJ-701 Metals and Jewelry Design Graduate Studio l
- CMTJ-702 Metals and Jewelry Design Graduate Studio ll
- STAR-702 Studio Art Research
- ARTH-605 Thinking About Making: The Practice of Art in a Global Society
- STAR-706 Business Practices
- STAR-714 Ideation and Series
- Free Elective
Second Year
- CMTJ-790 Metals and Jewelry Design Thesis Initiation
- CMTJ-890 Metals and Jewelry Design Thesis Resolution
- CGEN-703 Thesis Implementation
- CGEN-704 Thesis Review
- Free Elective
- CAD Studio Electives
Program Outcome
The program provides students with broad exposure to metalworking techniques, expands knowledge of applied design, strengthens perceptual and philosophical concepts, and develops an individual mode of expression. This sequence leads to a master’s thesis, inaugurated by the student, and overseen by the faculty. The program is structured on the basis of individual needs, interests, and background preparation, as may be determined through faculty counselling.
Career Opportunities
Industries
- Performing and Fine Arts
- Fashion
- Design
- Retail Stores
Typical Job Titles
- Accessory Designer
- Accessory Jewelry Designer
- Apprentice/Employee for Artist or Master Craftsperson
- Art Critic
- Blacksmith
- Corporate Jewelry Designer
- Custom Jewelry Designer
- Design Consultant
- Design Corporate Manager
- Entrepreneur
- Faculty/Instructor
- Fine Jeweler
- Goldsmith
- Jewelry Design Entrepreneur
- Jewelry Design Professor
- Jewelry Design Repairperson
- Jewelry Industry Supervisor
- Jewelry Instructor
- Jewelry Salesperson
- Jewelry Technician
- Metalsmith
- Product Designer
- Professional Artist
- Self-employed Artist, Artisan and/or Designer
- Silversmith
- Studio Jewelry Artist
- Studio Fine Artist
- Studio Technicians
- Visiting Artist
English Language Requirements
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