Overview
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics, offered by the Department of Art 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.
Each student moves from a common foundation curriculum that introduces materials and processes and prepares them for success in a range of fields of study. Those who select Art as their major will work side-by-side with majors in Visual Studies, Art Education and Art Therapy. The dynamic exchange of ideas that result from these interdisciplinary conversations spur intellectual risk and drive research-based creative concepts.
Upon graduation, students have the practical skill sets and honed aesthetic for successful careers in studio art, art education and design, as well as attend top-tier graduate programs.
Campus Location: Main
Program Code: TA-CRME-BFA
Concentration
Students may complete an optional Concentration in Art Education.
Admissions
Admission to Tyler's Studio Art (Bachelor of Fine Arts) programs is based on a review of academic credentials and portfolio review. For detailed information on how to apply, please visit Tyler's Studio Art admissions page.
Study Abroad
Students who plan to study abroad should arrange to meet with their academic advisor and the Education Abroad and Overseas Campuses office as early as possible, preferably during the freshman year, in order to explore options and plan the sequence of courses that would be most appropriate.
Accreditation
Temple University is a non-profit accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). NASAD establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for art and design and art/design-related disciplines, and provides assistance to institutions and individuals engaged in artistic, scholarly, educational and other art/design-related endeavors.
Contact Information
Lauren Sandler, Program Head
Tyler School of Art Building, Room 150M
lauren.sandler@temple.edu
These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2025-2026. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2025 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.
Summary of 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 BFA in Ceramics
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Sophomore Prerequisites | ||
| ART 2101 | Beginning Ceramics | 3 |
| ART 2102 | Intermediate Ceramics | 3 |
| Junior Requirements | ||
| ART 3101 | Advanced Ceramics I (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 II (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 Art (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
Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2025-2026 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| FDPR 1511 | Foundation Drawing 1 | 3 |
| FDPR 1521 | 2D Foundation Principles | 3 |
| FDPR 1531 | 3D Foundation Principles/W | 3 |
| FDPR 1503 | Woodshop Fundamentals | 1 |
| ARTH 1155 or ARTH 1955 | Arts of the World I: Prehistoric to 1300 or Honors Arts of the World I: Prehistoric to 1300 | 3 |
| ENG 0802 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW] or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| 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 ARTH 1956 | Arts of the World II: 1300 to the 21st Century 1 or Honors Arts of the World II: 1300 to the 21st Century | 3 |
| IH 0851 or IH 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| 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 IH 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course GQ | 4 | |
| 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 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART 3101 | Advanced Ceramics I | 3 |
| ART 31xx (Specialized Ceramics Course) | 3 | |
| ART or GAD Studio Elective | 3 | |
| Art History Elective 2 | 4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART 3101 | Advanced Ceramics I | 3 |
| ART 31xx (Specialized Ceramics Course) | 3 | |
| ART or GAD Studio Elective | 3 | |
| Art History Elective WI | 4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART 4101 | Advanced Ceramics II | 3 |
| ART 31xx (Specialized Ceramics Course) | 3 | |
| ART 4096 | Professional Practices in Art [WI] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Non-Studio Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART 4101 | Advanced Ceramics II | 3 |
| ART 31xx (Specialized Ceramics Course) | 3 | |
| ART or GAD Studio Elective | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Open Elective 2 | 3 | |
| 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.
Art Education Concentration
The Bachelor of Fine Arts with an optional Concentration in Art Education, offered by the Department of Art, is one of two pathways at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture to earning art teaching certification in Pennsylvania and becoming a teaching artist. Students may also become certified teachers through the Bachelor of Science in Education in Art Education.
Tyler offers students seeking a BFA degree an opportunity to earn Pennsylvania Teacher Certification in Art, K-12. The BFA with Art Education Concentration combines Tyler's art curriculum with approved courses in education and the liberal arts—all with Tyler's uniquely urban, community-based approach.
Offering students access to the resources of both a world-class art school and a large, public research university, Tyler's undergraduate Art Education programs prepare students to become thoughtful art teachers with the extensive knowledge and skills to teach kindergarten through twelfth grade.
Tyler students take full advantage of the school's location in Philadelphia and the city's rich array of schools, communities, museums, galleries and artists, opening up opportunities for artistic growth, research, networking and jobs.
The Tyler faculty is committed to urban art education and the power of collaborating with communities. Tyler students don't just learn how to teach art and grow as artists—they learn how to affect positive change in the communities where they work.
Students must complete BFA requirements along with a three-year sequence in Education and Art Education that begins in the sophomore year. Typically five years are necessary to fulfill all requirements. Students work with both the Art Education faculty advisors and the Tyler academic advisors regarding completion of requirements.
Campus Location: Main
Accreditation
Temple University is a non-profit accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). NASAD establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for art and design and art/design-related disciplines, and provides assistance to institutions and individuals engaged in artistic, scholarly, educational, and other art/design-related endeavors.
Licensure/Certification
Teacher certification is the process used in the US to ensure that prospective K-12 teachers are qualified and prepared to teach at the levels and in the subjects that they intend to teach. Certification in Art Education prepares graduates to teach art to students from K-12. Certification is not always required by private institutions, but some may prefer to hire certified teachers.
In order to become certified in Art Education, students must complete a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, pass the Praxis exams required in their state of employment, and satisfy other state-licensing examinations, as applicable.
Temple University is a Pennsylvania state-approved teacher preparation program for K-12 Art. Completion of Temple University's Bachelor of Science in Education in Art Education or Master of Education in Art Education with Teaching Certification satisfies the necessary requirements for graduates to sit for the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators, Praxis Subject Assessments, and Praxis Fundamentals.
For certification in some states, students may need to take the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam for their desired grade levels, which they are prepared for through their field placements, classroom observations, and study of human development and pedagogy.
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/education/programs-and-services/educators/certification.html
Admission
Admission to Tyler's Bachelor of Fine Arts programs is based on a review of academic credentials and portfolio review. For detailed information on how to apply, please visit Tyler's Studio Art admissions page.
Contact Information
Renee Jackson, Program Head for Art Education
Tyler Building, Art Education and Community Arts Practices Suite B090C
215-777-9258
renee.jackson@temple.edu
Summary of Requirements
These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2025-2026. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2025 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.
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.
University Requirements
All Temple students are required to complete the General Education (GenEd) curriculum.
- Successful completion (minimum C-) of FDPR 1511 and ARTH 1156 satisfies the GenEd Arts (GA) requirement.
- Successful completion (minimum C-) of EDUC 2109, SPED 2231, and TESL 3631 satisfies the GenEd Human Behavior (GB) requirement.
-
Summer or semester study abroad will satisfy the GenEd Global/World Society (GG) requirement.
BFA with Art Education Concentration Requirements
ARTE 2001, ARTE 3096, ARTE 4003, ARTE 4088, and ARTE 1001 must be completed with a C or better to fulfill concentration requirements.
Students must earn a minimum grade of C- in required College of Education coursework and additional mathematics requirement to fulfill concentration requirements.
Students in the BFA degree with the Art Education Concentration are required to take a Ceramics studio course and an additional studio course in Glass, Metals/Jewelry/CAD-CAM, or Fibers and Material Studies; a Painting studio course and an additional studio course in Painting or Sculpture; a Printmaking studio course and an additional studio course in Photography or Graphic Design. These courses may include prerequisite, sophomore, and/or studio courses within the student's chosen BFA 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.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Studio Courses | 74 | |
Foundation Program (20 credits) | ||
2000 level Sophomore studios including major prerequisites (18 credits) | ||
Major studio requirements (24-27 credits, varies depending on major) | ||
Studio electives (9-12 credits, varies depending on major) | ||
| Art History Courses | 12-13 | |
| Arts of the World I: Prehistoric to 1300 | ||
or ARTH 1955 | Honors Arts of the World I: Prehistoric to 1300 | |
| Arts of the World II: 1300 to the 21st Century | ||
or ARTH 1956 | Honors Arts of the World II: 1300 to the 21st Century | |
2000+ ARTH elective | ||
2000+ ARTH elective | ||
| General Education Courses 1 | 29 | |
| Education Requirements | 19-18 | |
| Socio-cultural Foundations of Education in the United States | ||
| Adolescent Development for Educators | ||
| Introduction to Special Education | ||
| Effective Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities | ||
| Principles and Practice for Teaching English Learners | ||
Mathematics course (1000 level) for PA Certification | ||
| Art Education Courses | 21 | |
| Professional Practices in Art Education and Art Therapy | ||
| Science and Art of Teaching | ||
| Art in Elementary and Secondary School | ||
| Inclusive Art Education K-12 Students in the Art Room | ||
| Student Teaching | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 155 | |
- 1
Students waived from General Education requirements via placement test (GW) or study abroad (GG) must make up the credits with electives to reach the minimum 155 credits to earn the degree.
Suggested Academic Plan
Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.
BFA with Art Education Concentration (Five-Year)
Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2025-2026 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ENG 0802 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW] or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| FDPR 1511 | Foundation Drawing 1 | 3 |
| FDPR 1521 | 2D Foundation Principles | 3 |
| FDPR 1531 | 3D Foundation Principles/W | 3 |
| FDPR 1503 | Woodshop Fundamentals | 1 |
| ARTH 1155 or ARTH 1955 | Arts of the World I: Prehistoric to 1300 or Honors Arts of the World I: Prehistoric to 1300 | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| IH 0851 or IH 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| 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 ARTH 1956 | Arts of the World II: 1300 to the 21st Century 1 or Honors Arts of the World II: 1300 to the 21st Century | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Studio | 3 | |
| Studio | 3 | |
| Studio | 3 | |
| EDUC 2103 | Socio-cultural Foundations of Education in the United States | 3 |
| IH 0852 or IH 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| ARTE 1001 | Professional Practices in Art Education and Art Therapy | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Studio | 3 | |
| Studio | 3 | |
| Studio | 3 | |
| EDUC 2109 | Adolescent Development for Educators 2 | 3 |
| GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course GQ | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Studio Major Course | 3 | |
| Studio Major Course | 3 | |
| Studio Elective | 3 | |
| Second Mathematics course for certification 3 | 3-4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Studio Major Course | 3 | |
| Studio Major Course | 3 | |
| ARTE 2001 | Science and Art of Teaching | 4 |
| SPED 2231 | Introduction to Special Education 2 | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Studio Major Course | 3 | |
| Studio Major Course | 3 | |
| 2000+ ARTH Elective 3 | 4-3 | |
| TESL 3631 | Principles and Practice for Teaching English Learners 2 | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16-15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Studio Major Course | 3 | |
| Studio Major Course | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
CRFT (Major Capstone) WI | ||
GAD (Major Capstone) WI | ||
PDS (Major Capstone) WI | ||
| 2000+ ARTH Elective | 3 | |
| SPED 3211 | Effective Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 5 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Studio Elective | 3 | |
| Studio Elective | 3 | |
| ARTE 3096 | Art in Elementary and Secondary School [WI] | 4 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ARTE 4003 | Inclusive Art Education K-12 Students in the Art Room | 3 |
| ARTE 4088 | Student Teaching | 9 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 155 | |
- 1
These 2 courses constitute the waiver for the GenEd Arts category if the courses are completed with a C- or better.
- 2
These 3 courses constitute the waiver for the GenEd Human Behavior category if the courses are completed with a C- or better.
- 3
Students need to complete either a 4-credit Art History 2000+ elective or a 4-credit second Mathematics course to reach the minimum 155 credits to earn the BFA degree with Art Education Concentration.