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CeramicsMajor

Our nationally recognized Ceramics program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. We offer an immersive art experience that combines a small studio environment with the resources of a major research university.

Overview

What is Ceramics at WVU like?

Description

WVU Ceramics emphasizes development in technical expertise, design and conceptual approaches as a means to expand students’ aesthetic vocabulary. The ceramics studio has more than 6,000 square feet of studio space, 30 pottery wheels, five large electric kilns, two professional clay mixers, two pug mills, two hand extruders, a large Brent slab roller and jigger-jolly equipment.

We have offered a comprehensive summer study program at Jingdezhen, China, since 1995, and in 2004 expanded the partnership to include a fall semester program that provides advanced undergraduate, graduate and professional-level studies in ceramics, including basic language, culture and Chinese ceramic art history. These programs allow our students to study with some of China's most prominent teachers and ceramic artists.

All students interested in Ceramics must apply to the University and submit a portfolio for the School of Art and Design for acceptance.

Ceramics program highlights:

Living-Learning Communities
Research/Academic Opportunities
Transfer Articulation Agreements

At a Glance

Admission Requirements
Careers and Employers
Cost and Aid
Courses and Major Map
Fast Facts
Related Pathways
Related Programs

College/School:
College of Creative Arts
Division:
School of Art and Design
Degree Designation:
BFA
Degree Program:
Art and Design
Program:
Ceramics

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

Apply Now Request Info Virtual Tour Visit WVU

Fast Facts

What makes Ceramics at WVU unique?

Academic
Accreditation
Facility
Go First
Other

Annual series of visiting artist lectures and gallery exhibitions features nationally recognized artists and scholars.
Travel abroad to locations like China, Italy and France in the Global Positioning Studies program.
WVU BFA studio arts programs have been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) since 1971.
Advanced digital technology available, including access to 3-D printing.
Art Museum of WVU houses two large art galleries with changing exhibits, as well as the Nath Sculpture Garden.
Fully-equipped art studios available for printmaking, ceramics, graphic design, painting, photography and hands-on foundations classes.
Students compete to display in the College's Student Juried Exhibition.
Volunteer opportunities with local organizations, such as Friends of Deckers Creek and North Elementary.
Exposure to music and theatre, as well as the visual arts.
Field trips to art museums in nearby cities like Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Akron and Washington, D.C.
Opportunities to show work in galleries on campus and throughout Morgantown.
Student work is sold to the public during bi-annual College pottery sale.
Students participate in the local Empty Bowls project, an international project to fight hunger.

Research and Academic Opportunities

Ceramics students have the opportunity to participate in NCECA, the national ceramics conference, or to study abroad in China at the Pottery Workshop in Jingdezhen.

Academic resources include:

Fully-equipped ceramics studios, including an on-campus ceramics production facility.
Ceramics in China courses, which offer access to the Ceramics Technology Global Research Center that promotes creative exploration at the intersection of advanced technology and ceramics.

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

In addition to guaranteed admission agreements WVU has transfer articulation agreements with:

County College of Morris

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

WVU Clay Club

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Professional Organizations

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts

Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Our program’s reputation and quality faculty open many doors for you to continue learning through top graduate programs, artist residencies and apprenticeships, or to launch directly into studio work.

Recent employment and graduate school placements include:

Tech. Instructor at Florida State University and Director of the Lafayette Arts and Craft Center in Tallahassee
Artist-in-residence at Belger Crane Yard/Red Star Art Studio (Missouri) and Sonoma Community Center (Sonoma, California)
Ceramics graduate programs at Clemson University, Utah State University, Eastern Carolina University and University of Mississippi

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Ceramics major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

Bright Outlook
Green Occupation
Requires a Graduate Degree

Art Directors

Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual communications media, such as print, broadcasting, and advertising. Direct workers engaged in art work or layout design. Possible job titles for this career include: Art Director.

$89,820 Median Salary

Learn More
Craft Artists

Create or reproduce hand-made objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft. Possible job titles for this career include: Artist.

$33,440 Median Salary

Learn More
Curators

Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution. Possible job titles for this career include: Associate Curator.

$53,360 Median Salary

Learn More
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of sales workers other than retail sales workers. May perform duties such as budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties. Possible job titles for this career include: Branch Manager.

$73,150 Median Salary

Learn More
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of retail sales workers in an establishment or department. Duties may include management functions, such as purchasing, budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties. Possible job titles for this career include: Assistant Manager.

$39,040 Median Salary

Learn More

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Employers

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

Pottery Barn
Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia
Zenclay
Dimension3 Studio

Courses

What are the courses like in Ceramics at WVU?

Major Map

Check out the course requirements and suggested plan of study for WVU's Ceramics major.

View the Major Map

For a program overview, learning goals and course descriptions, visit the course catalog.

Popular Courses

ART 111:
Drawing 1

The course emphasizes fundamental principles of drawing with a focus on building basic skills through direct observation, using traditional graphic media and expression.

ART 112:
Drawing 2

The course emphasizes fundamental principles of drawing with a focus on more expressive approaches to basic problems. Greater emphasis is placed on abstraction and non-traditional drawing processes and media.

ART 121:
Visual Foundations 1

The course provides an introduction to the fundamental principles and concepts of two-dimensional image making with an emphasis on color theory and design. Through creative assignments students develop abilities and visual awareness emphasizing the basics of color perception, form, proportion and rhythm.

ART 122:
Visual Foundations 2

The course incorporates projects involving abstract and representational ideas in three dimensions and investigates the basic concepts of line, plane, volume, form, mass, texture, composition and time.

ART 340:
Ceramics

This intense studio concentration is designed to prepare students for graduate studies and/or professional studio practices. Historical and contemporary design issues, kiln design and building, firing, glaze and clay formulation, studio practices and advanced-level throwing and hand- building techniques will be studied. (May be repeated for credit.)

ART 341:
Ceramic Production Methods

This course expands the student's experiences in ceramics through the use of industrial techniques, production equipment and business tools for the development, production and marketing of ceramic products.

Cost and Aid

How much does Ceramics at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates for the 2019-20 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current West Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

West Virginia Resident
Per Credit	$413
Per Semester	$4,956
Fall and Spring Semesters	$9,912

Non-Resident
Per Credit	$1,112
Per Semester	$13,344
Fall and Spring Semesters	$26,688

International
Per Credit	$1,112
Per Semester	$13,644
Fall and Spring Semesters	$27,288

Scholarship Calculator

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

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Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

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Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Ohio Tuition Reciprocity

As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to Ceramics can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. In addition to guaranteed admission agreements Ceramics has transfer articulation agreements with:

County College of Morris

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Ceramics at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Ceramics major, you must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2019-20 academic year. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Related Programs

What other options does WVU have?

Sculpture
Our BFA program provides training in many different materials and processes for making three-dimensional work. We offer an immersive art experience that combines a small studio environment with the resources of a major research university.

Learn More

What minors could I consider?

Art History
Minor
Ceramics
Minor
Sculpture
Minor

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Visual and Performing Arts
Expand your expertise and turn your talent in visual arts, dance, music or theatre into a rewarding career.

Learn More

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

Apply Now

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission. Our online application makes the process as convenient as possible.

Request Information

Want to know more about Ceramics at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

Visit WVU

It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.

Virtual Tour Visit WVU

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