The short version
- Handbuilding and wheel throwing, in a studio with 14 wheels, a glaze lab, and kilns.
- ART 309 and ART 409 have no prerequisites and can be taken in either order, so you can start either one first.
- Ceramics III and IV move into independent work.
Ceramics students work in clay, making both sculptural and functional pieces by hand and on the wheel. The studio has 14 wheels, a glaze lab, and kilns. You start with handbuilding and wheel throwing, which can be taken in either order, then move into more independent work in Ceramics III and IV.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Ceramics is a 122-hour professional degree. The 81-hour major combines art foundations, the ceramics sequence, upper-level art history, studio electives in other areas, and the BFA Seminar.
Required course flow
Each course below opens the next one. Arrows follow the prerequisites listed in the JSU catalog.
- ART 134 Drawing I
- ART 233 Design I
- ART 234 Drawing II
- ART 240 Design II
- ART 111 Survey of Art I and ART 112 Survey of Art II
- ART 335 Figure Drawing
- ART 341 Digital Literacy for Artists/Designers or ART 302 Introduction to Graphic Design
Ceramics electives
| Course | Prerequisite |
|---|---|
| ART 312 Special Topics in Ceramics | ART 309 and/or permission of instructor |
| ART 491 Advanced Independent Study (repeatable) | Completion of studio emphasis and approval of department head and instructor |
Choose six hours.
The rest of the major
| Requirement | Hours |
|---|---|
| Art foundation core courses | 24 |
| Ceramics concentration | 18 |
| Upper division art history: three courses from the approved list | 9 |
| Upper division studio electives: nine courses in at least two other studio areas | 27 |
| ART 488 BFA Seminar | 3 |
| Major total | 81 |
| Jax MIX general education | 41 |
| Degree total | 122 |
Getting into the BFA program
- Complete ART 111 Survey of Art I or ART 112 Survey of Art II, ART 134 Drawing I, ART 233 Design I, ART 234 Drawing II, ART 240 Design II, and ART 298 Portfolio Review.
- Take at least one course in the concentration and twelve hours of general studies.
- Hold at least a 2.50 GPA overall and a 3.00 GPA in the major.
- Pass portfolio review by the Art and Design faculty. You need a C or better in every major course.
Source: JSU Catalog 2026-2027, Ceramics (Bachelor of Fine Arts). Meet with your advisor every semester, and check the catalog year that applies to you.
