Art and Art History

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Jewelry and Metals

Associate of Fine Arts (LASFAAA)

This pathway meets requirements for the Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degree with a concentration in Jewelry and Metals and a Certificate of Jewelry Design (CJD). To complete both, see below to finish the degree AND certificate in 95 credits. Completion of ...

This pathway meets requirements for the Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degree with a concentration in Jewelry and Metals and a Certificate of Jewelry Design (CJD). To complete both, see below to finish the degree AND certificate in 95 credits. Completion of this CJD to AFA pathway is designed to give you a strong portfolio in jewelry design as well as successfully prepare you for further education in the visual arts such as a Bachelor of Art (BA) with Studio Art or Art History emphasis, a Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) or Master of Fine Art (MFA) in Visual Art, and/or entering the creative economy with a dynamic portfolio. Completion of this pathway meets requirements for both the certificate and degree. 

North Seattle College has one of the most well-equipped studios in the Pacific Northwest region. Students in this pathway develop technical skills including fabrication, stone setting, and small-scale metal casting and mold making, as well as creative skills in the field of jewelry, for both fine art expression and commercial application. Students will also demonstrate collaborative attitude, skills, and knowledge, and will learn how to properly set up a studio and to find work in a variety of careers related to jewelry design. 

North Seattle College's Art Program provides a solid foundation in visual art that emphasizes craft, concept, and critical analysis. North's art faculty are all accomplished, exhibiting studio artists with a passion for teaching and connecting the classroom to the local and national arts scenes. Students can choose from a variety of affordable classes including ceramics, drawing, painting, digital art, photography, 2-D and 3-D design, printmaking, book arts, mural art, jewelry, metal design, sculpture, and art history as well as art business. In addition to our course offerings, North offers a robust visual culture that includes a contemporary art gallery, a student exhibition space, visiting artist lecture series, and a student-led art group. While in the program, students have many opportunities to gain professional experience as working artists including showcasing and selling art, installing, exhibiting, and documenting work, and submitting to literary and arts publications. Every AFA graduate leaves with a curated portfolio of their work and is prepared for transfer as well as other professional opportunities in a creative economy.

Estimated Length of Completion

Degree Quarters Units
Associate of Fine Arts (LASFAAA) Full time : 7 95

You may need more or fewer units depending on your transferred credits, individual situation, and goals.

Before Quarter One

Step 1: Apply and register at North Seattle College anytime (the application is always free). Once you become a student, register for classes using the online class schedule and go to the academic calendar for registration dates and tuition deadlines.

Step 2: See an advisor to create a personalized educational plan by the end of your second quarter. Your plan will include prerequisites, graduation requirements, and transfer preparation if you plan to transfer to another college or university to earn a bachelor's degree.

Sample Schedule and Quarterly To-Do List

95 Units

A sample schedule and quarterly to-do list are below. The schedule and to-do list will help you explore courses and complete tasks on time. The guide assumes a fall quarter start, but you can begin in any quarter and start at any placement level.

Note about the sample schedule: Courses are offered in various formats and may not be offered each quarter. Click the button with arrows throughout the map to expand the section and view detailed information.

Click to see details

Quarter 1
To-Do List
15 UNITS
To-Do List
ART281
Jewelry Design I
5 units
ART101 or ART111
Choose a course
5 units
ENGL&101
English Composition I
5 units
Quarter 2
To-Do List
15 UNITS
To-Do List
  • Create an educational plan with your assigned advisor.
  • Apply for financial aid for the upcoming academic year in Winter or Spring quarter to maximize your funding options.
  • Research and develop a list of four-year colleges and universities.
  • Attend transfer events at North and universities of interest.
  • Visit North's Transfer webpage for transfer information.
  • Let your faculty know that you are pursuing the Certificate in Jewelry Design and Associate of Fine Arts.
  • Apply for Licton Springs Review by January 31 and League for Innovation in March.
  • Attend campus lectures/forums from the Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences division.
ART101 or ART111
Choose a course
5 units
ART251
Paleolithic to 500 C.E.
5 units
ART282
Jewelry Design II
5 units
Quarter 3
To-Do List
15 UNITS
To-Do List
ART102
Design
5 units
ART112
Drawing
5 units
WMN200 or ANTH130 or Individuals/Cultures/Societies
Choose a course
5 units
Quarter 4
To-Do List
5 UNITS
To-Do List
  • Document all work made in class every quarter.
  • Visit potential universities and determine application deadlines.
  • Summer quarter is recommended but not required. Please see financial aid about your summer funding options and your assigned advisor for summer course options.
ART258
Global Design History
5 units
Quarter 5
To-Do List
15 UNITS
To-Do List
  • Update your educational plan with your assigned advisor.
  • Contact art departments at potential universities.
  • Write your personal statement for university applications.
  • Attend National Portfolio Day in early November.
  • Find a venue for your final exhibition for the Certificate in Jewelry Design
ART210
Digital and Graphic Art
5 units
ART283
Intro to Alloying Jewelr
5 units
Pick one from the following list
Choose a course
5 units
Quarter 6
To-Do List
15 UNITS
To-Do List
  • Apply for the AFA degree and Certificate in Jewelry Design in ctcLink. Check with your assigned advisor to be sure you are meeting degree requirements.
  • Contact Art department coordinator to start your portfolio process at the beginning of the quarter.
  • Visit the Student Learning Center for help with your artist statement and resume.
  • Apply for financial aid for the upcoming academic year in Winter or Spring quarter to maximize your funding options.
  • Apply to universities or colleges and scholarships.
  • Explore possible jewelry design internships.
  • Secure venue and finalize work for exhibition for the Certificate in Jewelry Design.
ART284
Bench Techniques and Pra
5 units
ART290
The Art Business
5 units
ART121 or ART211
Choose a course
5 units
Quarter 7
To-Do List
15 UNITS
To-Do List
  • Check in with university for transfer plan.
  • Fine-tune your portfolio, artist statement, and CV with your faculty portfolio advisors and resume.
  • Complete portfolio requirements.
  • Turn in two copies of your physical portfolio and one digital copy on a thumb drive.
  • Order cap and gown for commencement and join alumni association.
  • Attend on-campus graduation fair and commencement ceremony.
ART114
Digital Photography I
5 units
ART285
Metal Tech Small Scale S
5 units
ENVS&100 or Natural World
Choose a course
5 units

More Information

Tuition and Funding

It's time to apply for Financial Aid for next year by completing
either the FAFSA or the WASFA 2024-25.

Need help paying for college?

All students in need should apply for financial aid; do not assume you are not eligible! Visit Financial Aid to learn more about the application steps and types of financial aid available, including grants and scholarships you don’t have to pay back. You do not need to be a full-time student to receive financial aid funds. There are also art-specific scholarships available to students.

Learn more about the estimated cost of attendance and general fees to attend college.

Career Opportunities

A Jewelry and Metals pathway can lead to various career opportunities. Examples include: 

  • Jeweler 
  • Graphic/Industrial Designer 
  • Small Business Owner/Entrepreneur 
  • Practicing Studio Artist and Performer 
  • Teacher 
  • Art Therapist 
  • Artist Assistant 
  • Art Handler 
  • Curator 
  • Gallery/Museum Assistant 
  • Commercial/Fine Art Photographer 
  • Arts Administrator 

A Bachelor's degree or higher may be required for some careers listed above. For current employment and wage estimates, please visit www.bls.gov/oes.

Future Education Opportunities

Once you complete the AFA degree and CJD, additional education opportunities include, but are not limited to:  

  • Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art or Art History or a related field at a four-year college or university.
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts degree or Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art.
  • Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree at one of the Seattle Colleges.

Program and admissions requirements vary from college to college. Use the College Navigator search engine (http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator) to find bachelors programs in Washington state or around the country. Contact an advisor to create an educational plan tailored to transfer to the institution of your choice.

Our graduates have successfully gone on to get degrees of higher learning at many institutions, including University of Washington, California College of the Arts, Pacific Northwest College of Art, School of the Art Institute Chicago, Rhode Island School of Design, San Diego State University, Western Washington University and have received scholarships and opportunities at many other programs such as Penland School of Craft and Pratt Fine Art Center. Program and admissions requirements vary from college to college. Contact an admissions representative to find out about specific admissions requirements including submitting a portfolio and major pre-requisites for the institution of your choice.

Additional Information

Learn more about the Transfer process, Transfer agreements, and Bachelor’s degrees including transferring to top universities around the state and nation, such as Historically Black Universities and Colleges.

Area of Study

Arts, Design, and Graphics

Program Contact

Coordinator
Kelda Martensen
email
(206) 934-4535

Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Division

Location
IB 2312

Division Contacts
(206) 934-3709

Mailing Address
NSC Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Division
9600 College Way N
3nc2312
Seattle, WA 98103

Advising Contact

Contact the Arts, Design and Graphics Area of Study advisor

Phone: (206) 934-3658