Ceramics Master's Degree

Nationally recognized for its professional excellence, the Ceramics graduate program, which leads to a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree, 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 Ceramics program, part of the interdisciplinary School of Art + Design wherein students both specialize in a focus area and work with faculty, students and in studios across disciplines, emphasizes the realization of individual goals. We encourage the exploration of ideas and materials to foster an atmosphere of diversity. We are committed to developing individuals who challenge contemporary standards while producing work of exceptional craftsmanship. It is our intent to prepare artists for competition in the complex, professional ceramic art world.

Ohio University is home to the nation’s No. 3-ranked Master of Fine Arts in ceramics and the top U.S. program outside of an arts academy. OHIO’s reputation has been built, quite literally, brick by brick, fueled by an ever-growing and evolving cadre of atmospheric kilns designed and constructed over the years by students and visiting artists who have gone on to lead ceramics departments and fill gallery shelves around the world.

Fanning the Flames

Ceramics M.F.A. Courses & Curriculum

View Courses & Requirements in the Official Academic Catalog

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.

All students have access to a well-equipped studio that includes:

• $25,000 in raw material inventory
• Equipment consisting of over 20 potters wheels, three clay mixers (two Soldners, one new Bluebird), two slab rollers, a ballmill, sandblaster, Slipomatic, glaze spraying booth and a well-stocked ventilated glaze room and clay mixing area
• The Ceramics department has a total of 14 kilns, three indoor and 11 outdoor.

Explore topics like: hand building, wheel throwing, kiln building, glaze calculations, alternative processes such as 3-D printing, laser cutting, vinyl cutting, material histories, alchemy and aesthetics, design, sustainability and social practice, pedagogy and professional practices in contemporary Ceramics.