Jewelry & Metal Arts (MFA)

Jewelry & Metal Arts Town Hall

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.

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Degree
Major Courses

This program is available online and on campus

FA 601

Drawing Major/3

Demonstrate your understanding of perspective, proportion, gesture, and foreshortening. You'll learn to depict objects, architecture, and figures using line, tone, and begin modeling.

JEM 605

Forging and Forming Major/3

Shape non-ferrous metals through forging and the magic of fold forming to make jewelry functional and non-functional objects. Gain a greater understanding of the malleability of metals and learn to make tools specific to project needs.

JEM 610

Jewelry and Metal Arts: Design and Fabrication Major/3

Learn soldering, fabrication, stone setting, texturing, patination, and lost wax casting techniques to develop thematically related jewelry or sculptural forms. Use sketchbooks and journals to document your ideas and inspirations.

JEM 614

Enameling 1 Major/3

Enameling is the art of fusing powdered glass onto metal to create colorful designs and surfaces. The beauty of tradition and the excitement of the contemporary are yours to combine with your metalworking skills. (This course is cross-listed with JEM 314.)

JEM 620

Jewelry and Metal Arts: Advanced Design and Fabrication Major/3

Continue to develop your conceptual and technical skills. Building on your knowledge of the materials, techniques, styles, and movements learned in JEM 610, you'll work on individually tailored projects using new skills in chain making, etching, intermediate stone setting, and advanced clasps.

JEM 630

Exploring Alternative Materials Major/3

Experiment with innovative concepts, materials, and techniques to create a sophisticated body of work. Learn to combine materials such as rubber, wood, fiber, cement, resin, and plastic to produce a unique professional outcome. (This course is cross-listed with JEM 310.)

JEM 644

Project Development Major/3

Create a portfolio that demands attention. Use rigorous conceptual and technical skills to evaluate your current body of work, discover areas for growth, and create new pieces for your final presentation. Plus, you'll develop an inspiration journal documenting your research, dialogue, and process.

JEM 649

Introduction to Metal Casting Major/3

Gain skills in both ancient and modern casting techniques. Working with bronze, silver, and gold, you'll learn both centrifugal and vacuum techniques, injection mold making, gating, investing, metal pouring, and finishing. (This course is cross-listed with JEM 249.)

JEM 668

Laser Cutting and Milling Major/3

Using industry-standard software and digital fabrication techniques, you'll develop vectors and rasters to be laser cut or machined with a CNC mill into precise, intricate designs in a variety of materials. Enhance your individualized projects with these new contemporary techniques. (This course is cross-listed with JEM 233.)

Degree Requirements

Unit RequirementsUnits
Major Coursework30
Directed Study18
Electives6
Graduate Liberal Arts9
Total63

MFA JEWELRY & METAL ARTS DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

  • Successful completion of Final Thesis Project.
  • Minimum grade of C in all required 63 units.
  • Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and the following Academic Study requirements:
    1 Art Historical Awareness & Aesthetic Sensitivity course
    1 Cross Cultural Understanding course
    1 Professional Practices & Communications course

Additional Information

Program Learning Outcomes

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.

Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:

    1. Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
    2. Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
    3. Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
    4. Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
    5. Use professional terminology to evaluate their work and work in the field.
    6. Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
    7. Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.
    8. Engage with a variety of communities beyond the classroom through internship opportunities, study abroad programs, student interest clubs, and participation in collaborative, civic, and pro bono projects.

*Semester plans are subject to change at any time. Semester breakdowns displayed are suggested and additional options are available to help customize your educational experience. Speak to an admissions or student services representative for more information. Please see our catalog for more details at: https://catalog.academyart.edu