A fixture in U.S. News & World Report’s top ten ceramics programs in the country, our curriculum helps you balance knowledge and skill-building with the freedom to explore broadly and develop an individual voice as an artist.
Ceramics classroom

Program Features

BFA

Ceramic BFA students will be introduced to a range of possibilities in forming and firing technologies. Working at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels, BFA students help to create and represent the studio community, with opportunities to take courses with ceramic graduate students on kiln building, glaze and clay body chemistry, and ceramics history. Through leadership and studio tech responsibilities we prepare our BFA students for artist residencies, assistantships, apprenticeships and internships leading to a professional career or graduate study.

MFA

Our Ceramic MFA program is well-rounded, offering specialized courses on kiln building, glaze and clay body chemistry, and ceramics history. Graduate students have opportunities to assist and teach undergraduate courses, work studio tech jobs, run and organize Clay Club and the studio at large while leading by example to foster community and excellence.

Graduate students share spacious, well-lit studios mainly on the second floor and ground level of Richards Hall and take advantage of a wide range of studio equipment.

Inspiring, Comprehensive Facilities

Located in Richards Hall, ceramics facilities include an indoor electric kiln room, a covered outdoor kiln pad, a glaze mixing kitchen, a well-ventilated clay mixing room and an organized tool and maintenance area. Classes are held in spacious hand-building and wheel-throwing studios with dedicated space for advanced undergraduate students.

Prestigious Visiting Artists

The Hixson-Lied Visiting Artist Series brings six to eight nationally known artists to campus each semester. Visiting artists teach a lecture class, give a presentation and provide critique.

Study Around the World

Take classes around the world taught by our School of Art faculty. Previous faculty-led trips included London, Paris, Tokyo, Italy and Greece.

Notable Courses

CERM 231: Beginning Ceramics: Wheelthrowing

Introduction to the making of ceramic art using the potter's wheel, with an overview of the history, aesthetics, and criticism of the ceramic vessel, focusing on high temperature glaze and firing.

CERM 232: Beginning Ceramics: Handbuilding

Introduction to the making of ceramic art with an overview of the history, aesthetics, and criticism, focusing on handbuilding techniques and low temperature materials.

CERM 331: Intermediate Ceramics: Pottery and the Vessel

Intermediate level work in ceramics focused on making pottery and vessel forms using high temperature materials. Development of wheel-throwing skills and high temperature firing.

CERM 434: Glaze Formulation

Practical and theoretical information to develop, mix, fire, and troubleshoot ceramic surfaces for pottery and sculpture.

CERM 435: Kiln Design and Construction

Design and build a kiln for firing pottery or sculpture.

CERM 499: Ceramics Thesis Hours

Culminating experience in Area of Emphasis to produce work for the Capstone Art Exhibition.

Huskers Do Big Things

Our students and graduates leverage their Nebraska education into exciting, wide-ranging opportunities around the state, nation and globe.

Internships

  • U.S. Forest Service
  • Heartwood Mountain Sanctuary
  • Mendocino Art Center
  • American Museum of Ceramic Art

Careers

  • Ceramics Studio Assistant
  • Assistant Professor of Ceramics
  • Assistant Curator of Ceramics
  • Ceramic Artist Product Specialist for American Art Clay (AMACO)

Graduate Schools

  • Alfred University--New York State College of Ceramics
  • Cranbrook Academy of Art
  • Rhode Island School of Design
  • University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Have Questions? We're Here to Help

If you have questions about the Ceramics, contact us.

Chris Watson portrait
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Chris Watson
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Director of Recruitment
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