Master of Fine Arts in Metals, Jewelry, CAD-CAM

Perfect your creative practice and prepare for careers in design and craft with the Master of Fine Arts in Metals, Jewelry, CAD-CAM in the Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University. This two-year, research-based, 60-credit graduate program offers students a preeminent space to learn time-honored techniques and transcend tradition through the latest technologies. 

Both Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD-CAM) and electroforming were pioneered for use in metals and jewelry at Tyler, and students benefit greatly from the mentorship of a faculty who are practicing artists, expansive, state-of-the-art facilities, and the resources of Temple, a leading R1 public research institution. 

Students explore the unique characteristics of materials to work at the forefront of the field, pioneering new attitudes, technologies, and processes that will lead in new directions. Working closely with faculty, many of whom are leaders in the field, students gain expertise with a variety of materials, from metals and alloys to plastics, to design and create jewelry and other objects that celebrate beauty, utility, individuality, innovation, and aesthetic experience.  

Tyler’s program is not only the largest metals/jewelry program in the nation, but also the only one with an emphasis on CAD-CAM (computer-aided design–computer-aided manufacture) at all degree levels. Students have abundant resources and extensive opportunities to engage in conceptual research that informs their personal vision. Located in Philadelphia, a premier center of jewelry-making, Tyler MJCC students find internships and leverage faculty relationships to connect with the regional and national metal community. 

An image of students creating jewelry in the classroom

Program Format & Curriculum

With core courses aligned over two weekdays, students have considerable flexibility and choice when selecting art history, elective and seminar classes, either within Tyler’s graduate curriculum or across the university. Courses in critique and critical discourse are a foundational to the first year of study. Under the mentorship of a faculty member, students also participate in directed studio research and an MFA thesis gallery exhibition in their final semester of study. 

Courses you’ll take as part of the curriculum include the following. 

  • Critique and Critical Discourse I and II 

  • Directed Studio Practice 

  • Graduate Projects, Metals 

  • Art History Seminar (5000, 8000 or 9000 level) 

  • Master of Fine Arts Thesis 

Learn more about the coursework for the Metals, Jewelry, CAD-CAM MFA.

Related Graduate Certificates

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, this Master of Fine Arts offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2023–2024 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,266.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,682.00 per credit

You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

TA-METL-MFA

Additional Program Information