Bachelor of Fine Arts

Tyler School of Art

2001 N. 13th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19122

215-777-9000

tyler@temple.edu

Tyler's curriculum is designed to give sound preparation to the future artist while at the same time avoiding narrow vocational goals. The freshman foundation program and introductory courses in each studio area develop a thorough understanding of fundamental processes and information. Advanced courses in the majors stress the development of an individual idiom and preparation for the professional world. At Tyler, art students find an atmosphere of aesthetic freedom that encourages personal experimentation and the exploration of visual concepts.

The B.F.A. with the Art Education Concentration prepares students for the PA certification in teaching art, kindergarten through twelfth grade. Students must complete B.F.A. requirements along with a three-year sequence in Education and Art Education that begins in the sophomore year.  Five years are necessary to fulfill all requirements. Students who take summer session courses may complete the degree in 4.5 years.  See additional information under B.F.A. with Art Education Concentration below.

Freshman Year

The Foundation Program is highly structured and intensive; it forms the base that establishes the fundamental studio practice and principles for all visual art expression. In addition to presenting traditional vocabulary, theory, media, and technique, the Foundation Program develops creative thinking and problem solving, visual thinking, and perceptual and imaginative abilities. Faculty members from all areas of the school teach the Foundation courses, assuring a broad range of experience and diverse viewpoints.

Sophomore Year

Sophomore studio electives serve as prerequisites to enter the major, of which one or two specific courses are required in each major. During the sophomore year, students are offered the opportunity to explore a wide range of studio areas. This experience gives the necessary background with which to make an informed selection of a major and adds to the overall breadth of the educational experience. Requirements are six 2000-level studio courses (18 s.h.), not to exceed three courses from any one major area and to include at least one course from three different major areas; and additional credits in Art History electives and/or General Education.

Junior and Senior Years

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is completed after a final two-year concentration in a major studio area. Because expressive work is often achieved by synthesis of disparate media, studio work outside the major is allowed. Requirements are the specified major courses (21-24 s.h. depending on the major), with a minimum grade of C- required in each course; three studio electives which may be taken outside the major (9-12 s.h. depending on the major); one major capstone course (3 s.h.); and additional credits in Art History, General Education and elective courses.

B.F.A. Degree

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art may be conferred upon a student by recommendation of the faculty and upon the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 126 semester hours of credit with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.

Please note that there may be minimum grade requirements in the courses required for the degree and as prerequisites for other courses.  Please confer with the advising staff and review the DARS for information.

B.F.A. Curriculum

Suggested Four-Year B.F.A. Sequence for New Students Starting in the 2013-2014 Academic Year

* These 2 courses constitute the waiver for the GenEd Arts category if the courses are completed with a C- or better.

B.F.A. Degree with Art Education Concentration

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with the Art Education Concentration may be conferred upon a student by recommendation of the faculty and upon the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 155 semester hours of credit with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Students in the B.F.A. degree with the Art Education Concentration are required to take a Ceramics studio course and an additional studio course in Crafts; a Painting studio course and an additional studio course from PDS; a Printmaking studio course and an additional studio course from the GAD department.  These courses may include pre-requisite, sophomore, and/or studio courses within the student's chosen B.F.A. major.

Any BFA student who wishes to pursue the Art Education Concentration must arrange to meet with the Art Education faculty advisor to discuss field placement, clearances, and requirements, as the state of Pennsylvania may change requirements after the Bulletin information has been posted.  It is strongly suggested that students do so during their freshman year.

Please note that there may be minimum grade requirements in the courses required for the degree.  Please confer with the advising staff and review the DARS for information.

B.F.A. with Art Education Concentration

Suggested Five-Year B.F.A. with Art Education Concentration Sequence for New Students Starting in the 2013-2014 Academic Year

* These 2 courses constitute the waiver for the GenEd Arts category if the courses are completed with a C- or better.

^ These 3 courses constitute the waiver for the GenEd Human Behavior category if the courses are completed with a C- or better.

B.F.A. Foundation Program

Gerard Brown, Chairperson

Tyler School of Art Building

Administrative Suite Room 210P

215-777-9170

gbrown@temple.edu

Studies for the B.F.A. degree at Tyler (including those who seek the Art Education Concentration begin with a common freshman experience, the Foundation Year.  During this year, students are enrolled in studio courses in Drawing, 2-D and 3-D Principles as well as two Foundation seminar courses.  The Foundation Program Department is highly structured and intensive.  It forms the fundamental basis for studio practice, critical thinking, and understanding and implementation of principles of visual expression.  The program emphasizes creative and critical thinking, problem solving, visual thinking, perception and observation through the use of visual vocabulary, theory, media, and techniques of artistic practice.  The Foundation faculty is comprised of artists from all the fields represented in the school's majors, providing freshmen with a broad perspective and diverse points of view from which to build their experience as artists.

B.F.A. Foundation Year