Two Tyler Programs Receive STEM Designation
Two programs at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture have recently received STEM designation from the Department of Education and the Department of Homeland Security, a classification that benefits students while studying at Tyler and when they are ready to enter the workforce.
Both the Metals/Jewelry/CAD-CAM (MJCC) program and the Graphic and Interactive Design (GAID) program underwent reviews with Temple’s Office of Institutional Research and Assessment to identify new Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) Codes that better represented their programs, and both were reclassified as STEM programs.
“This new status elevates the program's academic rigor and enhances the educational experience by improving access to cutting-edge technology and expanding research opportunities, thereby enriching the learning environment with the integration of CAD technologies throughout our entire curriculum,” explained Doug Bucci, Assistant Professor and Program Head of MJCC.
CIP Codes, issued by the Department of Education, are a taxonomic scheme that supports the accurate tracking and reporting of fields of study and program completions activity. The Department of Homeland Security has a list of CIP Codes that qualify as STEM programs, including the two new CIP Codes assigned to MJCC and GAID.
For MJCC, the STEM designation recognizes the program’s comprehensive integration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics within the artistic aspects of metalwork and jewelry design.
The MJCC program was previously classified under the CIP Code “Metal and Jewelry Arts,” which, Bucci explains, left out a significant portion of the curriculum that encompasses computer-aided design applications in jewelry production, industrial design, and engineering.
“The Metals/Jewelry/CAD-CAM program at Tyler has been a pioneer in integrating computer-aided design into jewelry art since 1989,” Bucci said. “Recognized globally for our leadership, we have established ourselves as the premier program in CAD jewelry and metalsmithing, both in academia and industry. However, our original CIP Code only partially reflected our program’s breadth and reputation.”
Beginning in the 2024–2025 academic year, MJCC will have the “CAD/CADD Drafting and/or Design Technology/Technician” CIP Code classification. This will accurately reflect the incorporation of CAD in various aspects of jewelry manufacturing, including concept drawings, 3D renderings, physics animation, coding, engineering, and 3D printing technologies.
“Our curriculum bridges the gap between virtual and tangible jewelry making, preparing students for diverse career opportunities in the industry,” Bucci said.
The GAID faculty similarly felt that their previous CIP Code, “Graphic Design,” was dated and did not represent the current state of the program. They researched other possible CIP Codes and landed on “Computer Graphics,” which gives the program a STEM designation.
“This code encapsulates the forward thinking and technologically based stance at the heart of our BFA and MFA programs,” said Matt Curtius, Associate Professor of Graphic Design. “The new designation aligns with the department’s embrace of technological tools and avenues of communication. Our students learn in an environment that keeps them abreast of a quickly developing design landscape while preparing them to lead the way from an informed perspective.”
MJCC prepares students for careers beyond jewelry studios, in fields such as industrial design, engineering and sciences.
“In the jewelry industry, our graduates occupy prominent roles at esteemed companies such as Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, and Alexis Bittar, leading initiatives in CAD design and manufacturing,” said Bucci. “In the field of industrial design, they bring their expertise to well-known brands like Puma, Crayola, and K’Nex, undertaking significant design and engineering responsibilities.”
Bucci added that MJCC graduates have applied their CAD skills at the new digital lab at Temple University’s Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry, and at Golden Ceramics Dental Lab, utilizing digital and computer-aided technologies in development of dental materials and to support dental procedures.
The STEM designation for both programs will strongly benefit international graduates, because it allows them to remain in the United States and gain professional experiences for up to three years after completing their degree.
“Suffice it to say, this is great news for students studying with us who would then like to establish their professional life and further contribute to the design community here in the states,” Curtius noted.
Bucci agreed: “This extended practical exposure is crucial because it prepares students for highly competitive roles in the jewelry design and manufacturing sectors, enhancing their employability and equipping them with vital hands-on skills in a real-world context.”
Other Tyler programs that have the STEM designation include the bachelor's degrees in Architecture, Facilities Management and Historic Preservation, as well as Landscape Architecture and Horticulture; and the master's degrees in Architecture and Landscape Architecture.