Overview

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fibers and Material Studies with Entrepreneurial 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.

Designed to complement the studio experience with tools to support a studio practice or pursue graduate studies, the Entrepreneurship coursework enhances students' career options. Graduates of this degree program will possess requisite business skills to support themselves as visual artists or entrepreneurs in art and related fields.

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-FMSE-BFA

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 with Entrepreneurial 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 with Entrepreneurial Studies majors must complete the General Education requirements.

  • Students must earn a C- or better in ART 2201 and ART 2202 to enter the Fibers and Material Studies with Entrepreneurial Studies major.
  • The 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 the BFA in Fibers and Material Studies with Entrepreneurial Studies

Sophomore Prerequisites
ART 2201Introduction to Fibers and Material Studies3
ART 2202Dyeing for Color I3
Junior and Senior Requirements
ART 2204Woven Structure I3
ART 3209Screen Print on Fabric I3
Two 22xx/32xx level Specialized Fibers & Material Studies courses (see specialized list below)6
Three 32xx/42xx level Specialized Fibers & Material Studies courses (see specialized list below)9
ART 4205Senior Seminar in Fibers and Material Studies (Spring Only)3
ART 4096Professional Practices in Art (Capstone, WI)3

Specialized Fibers and Material Studies Courses

ART 2203Alternative Materials3
ART 3201Threading the Needle: Drawing with Stitch I3
ART 3202Soft Sculpture3
ART 3203Alternative Materials II3
ART 3204Woven Structure II3
ART 3205Experimental Costume3
ART 3206Sewn3
ART 3207Intermediate Fibers and Material Studies3
ART 3208Jacquard I3
ART 3210Special Topics in Fibers and Material Studies3
ART 3211Cultivating a Collection3
ART 3212Digital Drawing and Pattern Making3
ART 3213Experimental Costume and Performance3
ART 3214History of Wearable Art and Costume3
ART 3085Field Internship3
ART 4201Threading the Needle: Drawing with Stitch II3
ART 4202Dyeing for Color II3
ART 4203Jacquard II3
ART 4204Woven Structure III3
ART 4209Screen Print on Fabric II3
ART 4210Special Topics in Fibers and Material Studies3

Entrepreneurship Courses

Select three of the following:9
Planning to Start Your Own Business
Entrepreneurial and Innovative Thinking
Lean Startup: Fast and Inexpensive Ways to Test and Launch Your Ideas
Launch a New Venture in 100 Days
Doing Well by Doing Good: Where Innovation and Entrepreneurship Meet Social Impact
Pitching and Funding Entrepreneurial Ventures
Special Topics - Strategic Management
Social Impact Internship - Work with Benefit/B-corps, Non-profits, or Multi-bottom-line Ventures
New Venture Internship: Learning to be a High-Value Employee, Manager, or Founder
Select one of the following: 13
Field Internship
Art Careers Promotion
The Business of Design (WI)
Field Internship
Art Career Workshop (WI)
Creative Cottage Industrialist
Rome Internship
Total Credit Hours12
1

Courses cannot fulfill both a requirement for the major and for this category.

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 with Entrepreneurial Studies

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredit 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
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 Hours17
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
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
Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
3
 Credit Hours16
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
Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
3
GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course GQ 4
 Credit Hours16
Spring
ART 2202 Dyeing for Color I 3
ART or GAD 2000-2999 Sophomore Studio Elective 3
Select one of the following: 3
Planning to Start Your Own Business  
Entrepreneurial and Innovative Thinking  
Lean Startup: Fast and Inexpensive Ways to Test and Launch Your Ideas  
Launch a New Venture in 100 Days  
Doing Well by Doing Good: Where Innovation and Entrepreneurship Meet Social Impact  
Pitching and Funding Entrepreneurial Ventures  
Special Topics - Strategic Management  
Social Impact Internship - Work with Benefit/B-corps, Non-profits, or Multi-bottom-line Ventures  
New Venture Internship: Learning to be a High-Value Employee, Manager, or Founder  
GenEd Breadth Course 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours15
Year 3
Fall
ART 2204 Woven Structure I 3
ART 2200+ (Specialized Fibers Course) 3
Select one of the following (not previously chosen): 3
Planning to Start Your Own Business  
Entrepreneurial and Innovative Thinking  
Lean Startup: Fast and Inexpensive Ways to Test and Launch Your Ideas  
Launch a New Venture in 100 Days  
Doing Well by Doing Good: Where Innovation and Entrepreneurship Meet Social Impact  
Pitching and Funding Entrepreneurial Ventures  
Special Topics - Strategic Management  
Social Impact Internship - Work with Benefit/B-corps, Non-profits, or Multi-bottom-line Ventures  
New Venture Internship: Learning to be a High-Value Employee, Manager, or Founder  
Art History Elective 2 4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
ART 3209 Screen Print on Fabric I 3
ART 2200+ (Specialized Fibers Course) 3
Select one of the following (not previously chosen): 3
Planning to Start Your Own Business  
Entrepreneurial and Innovative Thinking  
Lean Startup: Fast and Inexpensive Ways to Test and Launch Your Ideas  
Launch a New Venture in 100 Days  
Doing Well by Doing Good: Where Innovation and Entrepreneurship Meet Social Impact  
Pitching and Funding Entrepreneurial Ventures  
Special Topics - Strategic Management  
Social Impact Internship - Work with Benefit/B-corps, Non-profits, or Multi-bottom-line Ventures  
New Venture Internship: Learning to be a High-Value Employee, Manager, or Founder  
Art History Elective WI 3 4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours16
Year 4
Fall
ART 4096 Professional Practices in Art [WI] 3
ART 3200+ (Specialized Fibers Course) 3
ART 3200+ (Specialized Fibers Course) 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Open Elective 2 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
ART 4205 Senior Seminar in Fibers and Material Studies 4 3
ART 3200+ (Specialized Fibers Course) 3
ART or GAD 2000+ Studio Elective 3
Select one of the following: 5 3
Field Internship  
Art Careers Promotion  
The Business of Design [WI]  
Field Internship  
Art Career Workshop [WI]  
Creative Cottage Industrialist  
Rome Internship  
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours126
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

Students selecting a WI Tyler entrepreneurship course may elect to take a non-WI Art History course.

4

ART 4205 may be taken in spring of third or fourth year.

5

These courses cannot fulfill both a requirement for the major and a requirement for this category.

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. BFA 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.