Jewelry/Metals:

AAS Option in Jewelry/
   Metals

Diploma in Jewelry/
   Metals Studio Tech.

Certificate in Jewelry/
   Metals Fundamentals



Wood/Furniture Design:

AAS Option in Wood/
   Furniture Design

Diploma in Wood
   Studio Technician

Certificate in Furniture
   Making Fundamentals



NorthStar



Program Checksheets

Professional Studio Artist Degree Program

      The Professional Studio Artist (PSA) program prepares individuals for careers as independent studio artists and business owners, designers, performers and studio technicians.  The curriculum offers technical, design, product development and performance classes in a variety of disciplines coupled with business, marketing and management courses.  Class work covering the history and traditions of each disciple, basic studio development and technology requirements will be a vital part of the student's education.  Students will complete an option of study and acquire the necessary technical proficiencies, creative problem solving, business skills, production processes and the knowledge to apply these aspects to careers in the craft, music, theater, or applied arts fields.

     The AAS Option in Wood/Furniture Design prepares a student to start a business in studio furniture design and manufacturing, begin employment as a designer/maker for a small to mid-size woodworking company, work as a model maker/prototype builder for the wood/furniture industry, work as a furniture maker/technician; start a career as a furniture conservationist, or pursue a four-year degree. The program of study will offer a diverse and comprehensive study in furniture design and making, the technology of wood as a material, the technical aspects of wood machinery and hand tool usage, the importance and applications of drawing and design, and the practicality of business ownership, craft marketing and business management.

     The Diploma in Wood Studio Technician and the Certificate in Furniture Making Fundamentals will afford students the opportunity to acquire specialized and basic technical skills as furniture makers. The diploma and certificate programs signify that the student possesses a basic understanding of woodworking and furniture making procedures necessary for entry level positions in the custom furniture industry.

    The AAS Option in Jewelry/Metals prepares a student to start a business in studio jewelry design, producing one-of-a-kind and limited production works for the private market; work in a commercial studio as a professional jeweler or as a model designer/fabricator; or for entry into the field of jewelry/metal conservation. Creative problem solving and functional design are essentials to the program as well as extensive laboratory coursework in all aspects of bench jewelry repair, the metallurgical science of precious metals, traditional and non-traditional metal processes, processes of jewelry mass production, silversmithing, goldsmithing and work in new technologies such as computer-aided jewelry design.

     The Diploma in Jewelry/Metals Studio Technician and the Certificate in Jewelry/ Metals Fundamentals will afford students the opportunity to acquire specialized and basic technical skills as jewelry makers and technicians. The diploma and certificate programs signify that the student possesses a basic understanding of jewelry design and making procedures necessary for entry level positions in the custom or commercial jewelry industry.