Mar 28, 2024  
OHIO University Graduate Catalog 2019-20 
    
OHIO University Graduate Catalog 2019-20 [Archived Catalog]

Ceramics - MFA


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Degree Title and Name:  Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics

Program Name and Number:  Ceramics – MF5172

Department/Unit:  School of Art + Design

Delivery Mode:  Athens Campus

Term(s) of Entry:  Fall

Program Overview:  Nationally recognized for its professional excellence, the Ceramics graduate program at Ohio University is one of the highest ranked ceramic programs in the country. Reflecting the contemporary field of ceramics, the program encourages a multitude of approaches and viewpoints; traditional, contemporary and expanded, and offers students an exciting and challenging environment in which to concentrate on their individual development as a ceramic artist within an art school that is interdisciplinary and inclusive in its philosophy.

The Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics is an intensive three-year program. The first and second years are primarily devoted to studio, seminar, art history, and elective coursework. During the third year, the emphasis is an intensive commitment to studio time in preparation for the thesis exhibition. As part of this three-year studio experience, the student will have individual and group meetings with faculty, interaction with peers in and outside of the Ceramics area, and will participate in graduate critiques. A normal full-time academic load is 15 credit-hours per semester, and progress toward the degree is guided by the student’s graduate review committee members to the successful completion of 90 credit hours.

The Ceramics program emphasizes the realization of individual goals in creative media. By encouraging the exploration of ideas and materials and developing individuals who challenge contemporary standards while producing work of exceptional craftsmanship, the program prepares artists for competition in the complex, professional art world of ceramics and beyond.

Program Learning Outcomes:

  • Students will be able to demonstrate mastery in skills, techniques and material germane to the student’s research focus, evidenced through a mature body of creative work
  • Students will be able to identify key figures, works and sources, both historical and contemporary, as evidence to support a clearly stated thesis contextualizing the student’s work.
  • Students will be able to generate documents appropriate to professional practice in the student’s field of focus, and be prepared for participation in the professional world of Art.
  • Students will be able to execute public exhibitions of their creative work

Opportunities for Graduates:  Ohio University Ceramics graduates are successful, professional artists who may also secure positions as directors of arts programs and residencies and university educators; as well as many other careers in fine art. Many past students are currently teaching in some of the top programs in the country in Ceramics, Sculpture, and New Media. Ninety-percent of our graduates will remain working in fields related to ceramics throughout their careers.

Link to Program: https://www.ohio.edu/fine-arts/art/graduate/ceramics

Link to Program Handbook: Contact ArtGrad@ohio.edu

Graduation Requirements:  The following requirements must be met to graduate.

  1. Credit-Hour Requirements Summary: 90 minimum credit hours. Students enroll in a minimum of 15 credit hours per term over six semesters. A G.P.A. of at least a ‘B’ (3.0) is required in each category. No grade below a ‘C’ (2.0) can be used to satisfy any degree requirement.
    • 28 credits in major studio area (Ceramics)
    • 12 credits in outside ART studio electives
    • 12 credits Art History/academic studies (AH 5902 and AH 5101 required)
    • 6 credits ART seminars (ART 6200 required)
    • 25 thesis credits
  2. Thesis Review requirements: Students will have a series of formal reviews throughout the three years of the program with the members of their thesis committee.
    • The First-Year Progress Review occurs toward the end of Fall semester and constitutes a progress assessment of the student’s work by their committee members.
    • The First-Year M.F.A. Candidacy Review occurs toward the end of Spring semester. Successful completion of this review officially admits the student to full candidacy for the degree.
    • The Thesis Proposal Review occurs during Spring semester of the second year and establishes the goals and guidelines of the student’s thesis exhibition in written form.
    • A Thesis Exhibition and corresponding Oral Thesis Defense is required at the conclusion of the third year of study. The Oral Thesis Defense occurs before the presentation of the thesis work to the public. A written thesis is an optional addition to this step.
  3. Expected time to degree if studying full-time is three years.

Culminating Experience: Thesis Exhibition and Oral Thesis Defense. 
A Thesis Exhibition and Oral Thesis Defense are required for conferral of the degree and occur in the final term of the program. The exhibition is a public presentation of thesis work, typically held in one of the School’s formal exhibition spaces. Students must complete 25 Thesis credits in preparation for the exhibition and defense.

Admission Requirements: Admission to the MFA program requires a Bachelor of Art (B.A.), Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) or equivalent degree. Transfer credit is typically not accepted. In addition to completing the online application to Ohio University, applicants must submit a digital portfolio of 20 images representing their original artworks through ouschoolofart.slideroom.com. Within the online application to OU, applicants should upload their CV/resume, artist statement, professional goals statement, and a list of three professional references with contact information. These references will automatically receive requests for letters of recommendation via the online system. Contact ArtGrad@ohio.edu for questions about the application process.

International Students:  This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.

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