Ceramics MFA

The MFA in Artisanry - Ceramics is a 60 credit, 2- to 3-year program of study.

The Ceramics program offers the opportunity for concentrated studio work involving both technical and conceptual challenges. Through questioning and experimentation, students work to consolidate materials and processes while developing strong conceptual and expressive ideas.

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Discover why UMass Dartmouth is the right place to earn an advanced degree or certificate.

Application Deadlines

Fall: May 1
Spring: Jan. 17
Summer: Not applicable

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Contact

Suzanne Schireson

Associate Professor
Art & Design
College of Visual & Performing Arts 356A

508-999-9289

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Graduate students are encouraged to pursue individual areas of interest which may include fabrication of functional or sculptural forms. Your work in the studio is complemented by courses in clay and glaze formulation, kiln construction, and ceramic history and aesthetics.

You will work closely with a faculty advisor to ensure guided exploration to develop maturity. Individual meetings take place on a weekly basis and critiques occur each month. Studies culminate with both a visual and written thesis.

To arrange a tour of our facilities please contact Spencer Ladd, 508-999-8048, or sladd@umassd.edu.

Ceramics Student Work

Jennifer Ling Datchuk MFA Ceramics 2008 Blue-and-Gold-Bold

Jennifer Ling Datchuck MFA '08

Winner of the American Craft Council 2017 Emerging Voices Artist Award and $50,000 United States Artists Fellowship

Student success

Faculty positions

Buffalo State University
University of Nebraska at Kearney
University of Arkansas
University of Wisconsin
Rhode Island School of Design
SUNY New Paltz
MassArt
University of Minnesota Morris
University of Florida
Texas State University
University of West Florida
Adams State University

Other employment

Sherle Wagner International, Ceramic Production Manager
Northern Clay Center, Educational Outreach Manager
The Pottery Workshop Jingdezhen China, Director
Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts, Director
Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University, Curator
Toy Museum, Executive Director
Archie Bray Foundation, Educational Coordinator

Residencies

Anderson Ranch Arts Center
Archie Bray Foundation
Arrowmont for the Arts and Crafts
Watershed
Red Lodge
Pocosin Art Center
Red Star Studios
Mudflat Studios
Vermont Studio Center
Pottery Northwest

Awards

United States Artist Fellow
American Craft Council Emerging Artist Award
Emerging Artist, Fiber Art Now
Commission-Philadelphia International Airport
Visual Arts Grant, The Kunststiftung North Rhine-Westphalia. Schöppingen, Germany
Meyer Family Award for Contemporary Art, Mainline Art Center
Fleisher Wind Challenge Grant, Fleisher Art Memorial

Assistantship opportunities

A limited number of assistantships are available on a competitive basis. This award is subject to the work needs of the position and department, your satisfactory performance of duties, your academic record, and availability of funds, and may be subject to change.

UMassD advantages

Pursue your MFA at UMassD

Assistantships: provide stipends, tuition waivers and fee reductions
Exhibition opportunities: local, regional, and on campus
Facilities: labs, equipment, and tools for artistic exploration and production
Faculty: involved in scholarly, creative, and professional projects
Individualized attention extended to every student
Interdisciplinary projects and committees are encouraged
Location: an hour from Providence, Boston, and Cape Cod
New Bedford: an active downtown arts community
University education: access to faculty in other fields
Visiting artists: enrich your artistic and professional development
Visual Resources Center: more than 150,000 archived images
Workspaces: assigned to each graduate student

Graduate admissions requirements

University requirements for graduate admissions

Submit an application via the online portal. Be sure to provide your full legal name and to capitalize the first letter of all proper nouns.
Pay non-refundable $60 application fee (American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa) via the online portal. For Nursing applicants, the non-refundable application fee is $75.
Statement of Purpose, minimum 300 words. Unless otherwise indicated in the program requirement details, indicate your graduate study objectives, research interests and experience, and business or industry experience if applicable. If you are applying for a teaching or research assistantship, include any special skills or experience that would assist us in making assistantship decisions.
Resume
Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended (regardless of whether a credential is earned or not). Unofficial transcripts are accepted for admissions application review, once enrolled a final official transcript is required.
Many programs have specific recommendations/requirements, please see the additional program-specific requirements for more information.
International students: official TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE or Duolingo (if accepted by program) score. Unofficial scores are accepted for admissions application review, once enrolled official scores are required and must be sent by the testing agency (copies/scans not accepted). This is required of any applicant who did not earn a bachelor’s degree or higher degree from an accredited academic institution in the U.S. or accepted English-speaking country, see exemptions for more details. The Duolingo test is not accepted for the following programs: Art Education, Biology/Marine Biology, Luso-Afro-Brazilian Studies & Theory, Marine Science and Technology (MS, PSM, PhD), Nursing (MS, DNP, PhD), Portuguese Studies, Professional Writing and Communication, Psychology (ABA, Clinical, Research), and Public Policy.

Program-specific requirements

Candidates must submit the required application materials, university requirements and program-specific requirements, for consideration.

Portfolio of 20 images representing your artwork, process of thinking, implementation of concepts, and studio production. The portfolio is the equivalent of the entrance examinations which other academic areas often require. Submit your portfolio to: SlideRoom.
1 letter of recommendation. Applicants will be required to provide the recommenders name and email address so we can contact the recommender for the letter of recommendation.

Program deadlines