Overview
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fibers and Material Studies, offered by the Department of Art, introduces students to a bold, interdisciplinary approach to the exploration of one of the world's oldest and most accessible traditions: working with fibers. Students explore the expressive potential and social meaning of fiber materials as they learn technical skills that prepare them for focused, graduate-level study and a variety of careers.
Tyler Fibers and Material Studies majors join a close-knit, inclusive community led by a strong, diverse faculty that pushes students to experiment and collaborate. Students learn traditional skills and activate them in a contemporary context, contributing to vital discussions on history, identity, current social issues and more. Through dynamic events and projects such as the annual Wearable Art Show and the Natural Dye Garden, Fibers and Material Studies majors create exciting conversations with artists and students throughout Tyler.
Students take full advantage of Philadelphia's vibrant fibers community and DIY scene and opportunities to engage global social challenges, working closely with professors to engage in community-based projects that challenge them as critical, reflective participants in a broader creative culture. These experiences prepare Fibers and Material Studies majors to flourish in top graduate programs and production design careers.
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-FIBR-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
Jesse Harrod, Program Head
Tyler School of Art Building, Suite 250N
215-777-9136
jessica.harrod@temple.edu
Learn more about the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fibers and Material Studies.
These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.
Summary of Requirements
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fibers and Material Studies 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 Fibers and Material Studies majors must complete the BFA curriculum and General Education requirements.
-
Students must earn a C- or better in ART 2201 and ART 2202 to enter the Fibers and Material Studies major.
-
The seven required Junior/Senior studio courses, ART 4205 and ART 4096 (capstone) must be completed with a C- or better to fulfill major requirements.
Major Requirements for BFA in Fibers and Material Studies
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Sophomore Prerequisites | ||
| ART 2201 | Introduction to Fibers and Material Studies | 3 |
| ART 2202 | Dyeing for Color I | 3 |
| Junior and Senior Requirements | ||
| Three 22xx/32xx level Specialized Fibers & Material Studies courses (see specialized list below) | 9 | |
| Four 32xx/42xx level Specialized Fibers & Material Studies courses (see specialized list below) | 12 | |
| ART 4205 | Senior Seminar in Fibers and Material Studies (spring only) | 3 |
| ART 4096 | Professional Practices in Art (Capstone, WI) | 3 |
Specialized Fibers and Material Studies Courses
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ART 2203 | Alternative Materials | 3 |
| ART 2204 | Woven Structure I | 3 |
| ART 3201 | Threading the Needle: Drawing with Stitch I | 3 |
| ART 3202 | Soft Sculpture | 3 |
| ART 3203 | Alternative Materials II | 3 |
| ART 3204 | Woven Structure II | 3 |
| ART 3205 | Experimental Costume | 3 |
| ART 3206 | Sewn | 3 |
| ART 3207 | Intermediate Fibers and Material Studies | 3 |
| ART 3208 | Jacquard I | 3 |
| ART 3209 | Screen Print on Fabric I | 3 |
| ART 3210 | Special Topics in Fibers and Material Studies | 3 |
| ART 3211 | Cultivating a Collection | 3 |
| ART 3212 | Digital Drawing and Pattern Making | 3 |
| ART 3213 | Experimental Costume and Performance | 3 |
| ART 3214 | History of Wearable Art and Costume | 3 |
| ART 3085 | Field Internship | 3 |
| ART 4201 | Threading the Needle: Drawing with Stitch II | 3 |
| ART 4202 | Dyeing for Color II | 3 |
| ART 4203 | Jacquard II | 3 |
| ART 4204 | Woven Structure III | 3 |
| ART 4209 | Screen Print on Fabric II | 3 |
| ART 4210 | Special Topics in Fibers and Material Studies | 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 Fibers and Material Studies
Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 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 2201 | Introduction to Fibers and Material Studies | 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 2202 | Dyeing for Color I | 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 22xx/32xx (Specialized Fibers Course) | 3 | |
| ART 22xx/32xx (Specialized Fibers Course) | 3 | |
| ART or GAD Studio Elective | 3 | |
| Art History Elective 2 | 4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART 22xx/32xx (Specialized Fibers Course) | 3 | |
| ART 32xx/42xx (Specialized Fibers Course) | 3 | |
| ART or GAD Studio Elective | 3 | |
| Art History Elective WI | 4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART 4096 | Professional Practices in Art [WI] | 3 |
| ART 32xx/42xx (Specialized Fibers Course) | 3 | |
| ART 32xx/42xx (Specialized Fibers Course) | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Non-Studio Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART 4205 | Senior Seminar in Fibers and Material Studies 3 | 3 |
| ART 32xx/42xx (Specialized Fibers 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.
- 3
ART 4096 and ART 4205 may be taken in spring of third or fourth year.
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. Fibers and Material Studies 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.
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.education.pa.gov/Educators/Certification/BecomeAnEducator/Pages/ACPSpecialty.aspx
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 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 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 2024-2025 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.