COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art with a concentration in Metalsmithing and Jewelry is an advanced graduate program designed to develop highly skilled artists, designers, and creative professionals through intensive studio practice, research, and interdisciplinary learning. The program emphasizes both artistic innovation and technical excellence, preparing students for a broad range of professional opportunities in education, manufacturing, entrepreneurship, museum work, and the visual arts. Students regularly exhibit their work in professional galleries and often receive recognition through regional and national competitions, reflecting the program’s strong reputation and commitment to artistic achievement. Faculty members are accomplished artists and educators who are dedicated to high-quality teaching, mentorship, and creative scholarship. The program also integrates visiting artists, scholars, and critics into its learning environment, giving students direct exposure to nationally and internationally recognized professionals through lectures, private studio visits, critiques, and seminars. Located near the cultural centers of Dallas and Fort Worth, the university provides access to numerous galleries, exhibitions, and professional networking opportunities, while also offering students opportunities to display their work both on campus and in local art spaces. As part of one of the nation’s most comprehensive visual arts schools, accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the program maintains high academic and artistic standards, and its M.F.A. program is consistently ranked among the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Graduates are prepared for diverse careers such as college faculty members, visual arts technicians, art teachers, workshop leaders, entrepreneurs, manufacturing specialists, and professional studio artists. Additional opportunities exist in fields like art handling, gallery management, curating, research consulting, blacksmithing, costume and prop design, tool making, and 3D printing. Artists may create one-of-a-kind jewelry and metalwork pieces or work in production settings involving CAD design, stone setting, polishing, model making, and wax techniques. Coursework includes Seminar in University Art Teaching, Professional Practices for the Studio Artist, Praxis: Rotating Topics, and M.F.A. Project courses, all of which strengthen both creative practice and professional preparation. Overall, the program equips students with the conceptual, technical, and professional skills needed for successful careers in contemporary metalsmithing, jewelry, and the broader visual arts industry.