Master of Fine Arts in Furniture Design
Rochester, USA
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2024
TUITION FEES
USD 41,424 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Full-time: February 1 priority deadline, rolling thereafter
** $41,424 - $54,974 | based on credits taken
Introduction
The furniture design master’s program is structured to support each student’s individual interests and aesthetic development. While engaging in the design and construction of a range of furniture objects, students are challenged to advance aesthetic, conceptual, and design sensibilities while simultaneously strengthening their building techniques and construction strategies. Students are exposed to a broad range of contemporary practices and creative approaches to design and art-making in support of experimentation, critical reflection, and the development of a personal aesthetic and design philosophy.
The first year of the MFA in furniture design exposes students to a broad range of critical issues related to the conception and production of art, serves to inspire and provoke their critical reflection, and facilitates the development of a preliminary thesis topic. In the second year, students propose and fully engage in a thesis project, which culminates in a major exhibition in the spring.
Industries
- Performing and Fine Arts
- Fashion
- Design
- Museum
- Retail Stores
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
Furniture design, MFA degree, typical course sequence
First Year
- CWFD-701 Furniture Design Graduate Studio I
- CWFD-702 Furniture Design Graduate Studio II
- ARTH-605 Thinking About Making: The Practice of Art in a Global Society
- STAR-702 Studio Arts Research
- STAR-714 Ideation and Series
- STAR-706 Business Practices
- Free Electives
Second Year
- CWFD-790 Furniture Design Thesis Initiation
- CWFD-890 Furniture Design Thesis Resolution
- CGEN-703 Thesis Implementation
- CGEN-704 Thesis Review
- Free Elective
- CAD Studio Electives*
Career Opportunities
Typical Job Titles
- Craft Artist
- Sculptor
- Furniture Designer
- Designer
English Language Requirements
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