A good jewelry school teaches students how to draw and design jewelry, while providing knowledge about the material used to make jewelry and the history of jewelry-making.
10 Jewelry Schools
The table below lists a few of the schools in the nation that offer programs in jewelry, their locations and tuition.
| College/University | Location | Institution Type | Degrees Offered | 2015-2016 Tuition and Fees* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | Bachelor's, master's | $34,970 (undergraduate), $35,825 (graduate) |
| Gemological Institute of America | New York, NY | Less-than-2-year, Private not-for-profit | Diploma, certificate | $21,000 |
| University of North Texas | Denton, TX | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's | $9,730 (in-state) |
| College of the Albemarle | Elizabeth City, NC | 2-year, Public | Diploma, certificate, associate's | $2,211 (in-state) |
| Austin Community College | Austin, Tx | 2-year, Public | Certificate, associate's | $2,550 (in-district), $9,210 (in-state) |
| SUNY - Buffalo State | Buffalo, NY | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's | $9,381 (in-state) |
| University of Georgia | Athens, GA | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, master's | $11,622 (in-state, undergraduate), $10,750 (in-state, graduate) |
| Fashion Institute of Technology | New York, NY | 4-year, Public | Associate's | $5,230 (in-state) |
| North Seattle College | Seattle, WA | 4-year, Public | Certificate | $4,458 (in-state) |
| Temple University | Philadelphia, PA | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, master's | $15,188 (in-state, undergraduate), $16,144 (in-state, graduate) |
Source: *National Center for Education Statistics
School Selection Criteria
This assures the student the option of completing foundational and art theory courses.
When choosing a jewelry school, consider the following:
- Coursework should include metalsmithing and computer-based work; schools should have up-to-date software and equipment.
- Look into schools that offers internships.
- Select programs provide opportunities for students to sell and display their work.
- When selecting a jewelry school, students should consider programs that are part of a studio art program.
Degree Program Information
Most commonly, jewelry programs are offered as associate's degree or bachelor's degree programs within visual art programs. Many fashion schools offer a jewelry focus as well. It may be completed as a major or minor. Most of the classes focus on the study and practice of making jewelry with liberal arts electives and core courses. Many schools offer graduate seminars as well, though dedicated jewelry master's programs are rarer.
Students looking for a training program in the creation and sale of jewelry can find a number of schools across the country that offer programs. These programs range from the diploma to master's level.