Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics
Ceramics
Lauren Sandler, Program Head
Tyler School of Art Building, Room 150L
215-777-9201
lauren.sandler@temple.edu
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Ceramics program at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture welcomes students into a diverse community of thinkers and makers who challenge traditional processes in a forward-looking way.
Led by a faculty of practicing artists in state-of-the-art facilities, Ceramics majors work in a close-knit environment, side-by-side with graduate students, as they explore traditional and experimental clay techniques. The program draws on the energy and resources of the urban landscape of Philadelphia—a city with a longstanding clay culture and vibrant visual art scene—to forge community partnerships that lead to broader, inclusive perspectives, conversations and exchanges of ideas.
Students learn product design and production, studio management and gallery installation, as well as critical thinking and problem solving—transferable skills that help prepare them for success in any artistic discipline or profession, including as educators, gallery operators, architectural designers, curators and more. Students also have opportunities for internships in Philadelphia's densely networked clay community.
Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Ceramics 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. All Ceramics majors must complete the BFA curriculum and General Education requirements.
- Students must earn a C- or better in ART 2101 and ART 2102 to enter the Ceramics major.
-
The eight required Junior/Senior studio courses and ART 4096 (capstone) must be completed with a C- or better to fulfill major requirements.
Major Requirements for B.F.A. in Ceramics
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Sophomore Prerequisites | ||
| ART 2101 | Beginning Ceramics | 3 |
| ART 2102 | Intermediate Ceramics | 3 |
| Junior Requirements | ||
| ART 3101 | Advanced Ceramics (This course is repeatable and should be taken once in the fall and once in the spring) | 6 |
| Two additional specialized Ceramics courses (see list below) | 6 | |
| Senior Requirements | ||
| ART 4101 | Advanced Ceramics (This course is repeatable and should be taken once in the fall and once in the spring) | 6 |
| Two additional specialized Ceramics courses (see list below) | 6 | |
| ART 4096 | Professional Practices in Crafts (Capstone, WI) | 3 |
Specialized Ceramics Courses
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ART 3103 | Two-Dimensional Ceramics | 3 |
| ART 3104 | Ceramic Materials | 3 |
| ART 3105 | Porcelain | 3 |
| ART 3106 | Advanced Throwing and Wheel Work | 3 |
| ART 3107 | Ceramic Mold Making | 3 |
| ART 3110 | Ceramic Workshop | 3 |
Suggested Academic Plan
Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics
Requirements for New Students starting in the 2021-2022 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| FDPR 1511 | Foundation Drawing1 | 3 |
| FDPR 1521 | 2D Foundation Principles | 3 |
| FDPR 1531 | 3D Foundation Principles/W | 3 |
| FDPR 1503 | Woodshop Fundamentals | 1 |
| ARTH 1155 or 1955 | Arts of the World I: Prehistoric to 1300 | 3 |
| ENG 0802, 0812, or 0902 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| Term Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| FDPR 1512 | Foundation Drawing | 3 |
| FDPR 1522 | 2D Foundation Principles | 3 |
| FDPR 1532 | 3D Foundation Principles/C | 3 |
| FDPR 1502 | Investigations of Art and Design | 1 |
| ARTH 1156 or 1956 | Arts of the World II: 1300 to the 21st Century1 | 3 |
| IH 0851 or 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART 2101 | Beginning Ceramics | 3 |
| ART or GAD 2000-2999 Sophomore Studio Elective | 3 | |
| ART or GAD 2000-2999 Sophomore Studio Elective | 3 | |
| IH 0852 or 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course [GQ] | 4 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART 2102 | Intermediate Ceramics | 3 |
| ART or GAD 2000-2999 Sophomore Studio Elective | 3 | |
| ART or GAD 2000-2999 Sophomore Studio Elective | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART 3101 | Advanced Ceramics | 3 |
| ART 31xx (Specialized Ceramics Course) | 3 | |
| ART or GAD Studio Elective | 3 | |
| Art History Elective2 | 4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART 3101 | Advanced Ceramics | 3 |
| ART 31xx (Specialized Ceramics Course) | 3 | |
| ART or GAD Studio Elective | 3 | |
| Art History Elective [WI] | 4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART 4101 | Advanced Ceramics | 3 |
| ART 31xx (Specialized Ceramics Course) | 3 | |
| ART 4096 | Professional Practices in Crafts [WI] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Non-Studio Elective | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART 4101 | Advanced Ceramics | 3 |
| ART 31xx (Specialized Ceramics Course) | 3 | |
| ART or GAD Studio Elective | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Open Elective2 | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 126 | |
| 1 | These 2 courses constitute the waiver for the GenEd Arts category if the courses are completed with a C- or better. |
| 2 | Students completing a 3 credit Art History 2000+ elective must select a 4 credit open elective to reach the minimum 126 credits to earn the BFA degree. |
Please Note: An approved study abroad program waives the GenEd Global/World Society (GG) requirement; however, these credits must be made up with academic coursework taken outside of Tyler departments to be in compliance with BFA accreditation. Ceramics majors interested in studying abroad should consult with an academic advisor to determine if a semester (generally spring semester of second year) or a summer program would be the best option to remain on track for graduation. If a student is spending a traditional semester abroad, ART 2101 must be completed prior to studying abroad. To remain on track for graduation, permission may be granted to substitute an additional specialized ceramics course in lieu of an advanced ceramics course.