ACBA’s four-year B.A.S. degree with a specialization in plaster marries art, craft and science – and a rewarding career choice for those who want to make a living doing work that inspires them and lasts for generations. ACBA builds upon a traditional college degree by incorporating journeyman-level trade expertise and an extensive portfolio of real-world projects. 

Sometimes, when people think of a career in plastering, their first image is of someone coating a wall or performing similar types of “flatwork” in the building industry. Yet as one of the most ancient building trades, plasterers have historically created some of the world’s most beautiful and endurable visual art – ever since early artisans embellished Egypt's palaces and pyramids 4,000 years ago. Examples of their craftsmanship still exist today, having survived centuries of war, natural disasters and modern development.

If you like using your hands and imagination to create beautiful things, your mind to solve practical and mechanical problems, and being able to work either indoors or outdoors rather than behind a desk all day, then plaster might be the right career choice for you.

The plaster specialization has evolved into a highly skilled type of work through the development and use of many new and improved materials and techniques. Career opportunities have expanded as builders opt for more decorative elements, such as Scagliola and Venetian plaster which creates a mesmerizing marble effect. Such techniques create boundless opportunities for highly skilled professionals. Yet plaster is about more than traditional ornamentation. It's also about using materials that are historically eco-friendly, as well as more fire-resistant.