Ceramic Art and Design

Overview

Ceramic art and design programs teach people to create art works out of clay and similar materials.

Students learn the skills of ceramic art, including:

Throwing clay on a wheel
Hand molding clay
Operating a kiln and firing ceramics
Mixing and measuring glazes and slips

In ceramics programs, students also study:

Art history
Drawing
Design

Schools

A few community colleges offer associate degree programs in ceramic art and design. An associate degree program at a community college usually takes two years of full-time study to complete.

Many colleges, universities, and independent art schools offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree program in ceramic art and design. A BFA degree usually takes about four to five years of full-time study.

Most universities offer graduate degrees in ceramic art and design. A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree.

A few schools offer doctorate degrees in ceramics. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree.

See schools that offer this program.

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Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

Many programs require you to submit separate application materials in addition to your general college application. Usually you have to complete preliminary art courses, write a personal statement, and demonstrate skill working with clay.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

Art
Art Appreciation
Art History
Chemistry
Drawing and Painting
Pottery

Graduate Admissions

Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree, good grades, good test scores, and a developing ceramic project portfolio.

Additional requirements at some schools include:

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
Letters of recommendation
Personal interview

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

Ceramic Sculpture
Contemporary Ceramic Art and Artists
Drawing and Sketching
Firing and Glazing Methods
Fundamentals of Design
Handbuilding
History of Ceramics
Kiln Operation
Materials
Painting
Throwing on the Wheel

Graduate Program Courses

Graduate programs in ceramics typically require:

Required courses
Thesis and portfolio of finished work (master's degree)
Preliminary exam (doctoral degree)
Dissertation (doctoral degree)

Things to Know

At many schools, you have to pay a fee in addition to regular course tuition. The fee covers the cost of art materials, which include clay, glazes, and energy used to fire kilns.

Many programs offer personal studio space to ceramic students.

Often, ceramic students are employed in the ceramic studio. Students get paid while learning how to load, unload, and monitor kilns. They also learn how to mix clay and glazes.