Furniture and Cabinetmaking
Certificate Program
Arts & Communication
Hicks Art Center • Phone (215) 968-8425
Curriculum Code No. 3187
This two-to-three semester certificate program develops essential entry-level skills required in the furniture/cabinetmaking business. An introduction to the history and theory of making functional wooden objects is combined with studio practices related to handling materials and employing safe working methods. The program provides students with practical experience in using hand tools, power tools, and other equipment routinely used in the industry.
Graduates of this certificate are able to:
- create functional finished wood products that they design.
- design furniture and parts of furniture two dimensionally using digital and manual drawing techniques.
- present a formal, professional-quality portfolio of their work which may be used to apply for a position in the woodworking field.
Check out this video about the program.
Note: Studio courses can be expensive. Lab Fees may be required.
Certificate Course Requirements*
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| COLL101 Orientation to College | 1 |
| VAFW100 Fine Woodworking Fundamentals | 3 |
| VAFW140 Cabinetmaking B | 3 |
| VAFA100 Drawing I A | 3 |
| VAMM130 3-D Modeling Concepts | 3 |
| OR | |
| VAFW145 Furniture Concepts B | 3 |
| VAFW138 Table Systems B | 3 |
| VAFW190 History of American Furniture 1 | 3 |
| OR | |
| MGMT102 Business Skills for Artists | 3 |
| OR | |
| MGMT155 Introduction to Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| VAFA250 Fine Arts and Design Portfolio StudioB | 3 |
| VAFW Fine Wood Studio Electives | |
| OR | |
| Co-op B | 9 |
| Total Credit Hours | 31 |
Suggested Electives (select 3 courses):
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| VAFW133 Woodcarving/Furniture | 3 |
| VAFW136 Bending and Veneering B | 3 | VAFW137 Chair Construction B | 3 |
| VAFW180 Woodturning | 3 |
| VAFW181 Woodturning II B | 3 |
| VAFW280 Fine Woodworking Internship B | 3 |
Recommended Semester Sequence
First Semester (experience permitting):
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| COLL101 Orientation to College | 1 |
| VAFW100 Fine Woodworking Fundamentals | 3 |
| VAFW140 Cabinetmaking B | 3 |
| VAFA100 Drawing I A | 3 |
| VAFW190 History of American Furniture 1 | 3 |
| OR | |
| MGMT102 Business Skills for Artists | 3 |
| OR | |
| MGMT155 Introduction to Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| Fine Wood Studio Elective (choose from list) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 16 |
Second Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| VAFW138 Table Systems B | 3 |
| VAMM130 3-D Modeling Concepts | 3 |
| OR | |
| VAFW145 Furniture Concepts B | 3 |
| VAFA250 Fine Arts and Design Portfolio StudioB | 3 |
| Fine Wood Studio Elective (choose from list) | 3 |
| Fine Wood Studio Elective (choose from list) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 |
A Portfolio review required with Fine Arts advisor.
B Requires prerequisite and/or co requisite.
1 Satisfies Arts/Humanities.
*Since the individual circumstances and backgrounds of students vary, all students planning to complete this certificate program must meet with their assigned academic advisor to develop a planned sequence of courses to meet their individual needs.