Overview

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography, offered by the Department of Art, provides students access to state-of-the-art facilities and prepares them to find their voices as artists, photojournalists and image-makers in traditional and emerging technologies.

Tyler Photography provides access to a wide range of faculty expertise, generously equipped photography studios and an interdisciplinary spirit, making it possible for all types of undergraduates to develop their skills as problem solvers and find pathways to meaningful expression and success. Whether students are interested in deep exploration of cutting-edge digital techniques, historic darkroom processes or incorporating methods from other artistic disciplines, Tyler's faculty offer personal guidance.

Tyler BFA students can take advantage of the school's location at a large research university in Philadelphia, a vibrant art center with a pioneering photography tradition, to find internships and jobs, explore museums and galleries, launch creative practices, start businesses and earn placements in competitive graduate programs.

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-PHOT-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

Dilmar Mauricio Gamero S., PhD, Program Head
Tyler School of Art Building, Room B30Y
215-777-9245
dilmar.mauricio@temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography.

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 Photography 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 Photography majors must complete the BFA curriculum and General Education requirements.

  • Students must earn a C- or better in ART 2601 or ART 2603, and ART 2602 to enter the Photography major.
  • The nine required Junior/Senior Photography courses must be completed with a C- or better to fulfill major requirements. 

The faculty encourages taking Photography courses in excess of the minimum required. These additional courses count towards required studio credits.

Major Requirements for BFA in Photography

Sophomore Prerequisite 1
ART 2601Photo I: Digital3
or ART 2603 Photo I: Digital
ART 2602Digital Imaging3
or ART 2901 Honors Digital Imaging: Seeing Photographically
Junior and Senior Requirements 1
ART 3601Color Photography I3
or ART 3608 Color Photography I
ART 3603Darkroom Photography3
or ART 3605 Darkroom Photography
ART 3604Photographic Lighting3
ART 3611Advanced Photo Workshop3
ART 3612Photo Process Workshop3
ART 3613Digital Photography3
ART 4601Senior Photography3
ART 4696Senior Seminar in Photography3
Specialized Photo Course
Select one of the following:3
Field Internship
View Camera
Digital Projects
Contemporary Photography
Special Topics in Photography
Art Career Workshop
1

The schedule of courses that are required for the Photography major is posted each semester on the Tyler Photography web site at https://tyler.temple.edu/programs/photography.

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 Photography

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 2601
Photo I: Digital
or Photo I: Digital
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 2602
Digital Imaging
or Honors Digital Imaging: Seeing Photographically
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 Hours15
Year 3
Fall
ART 3601
Color Photography I
or Color Photography I
3
ART 3603
Darkroom Photography
or Darkroom Photography
3
ART 3604 Photographic Lighting 3
Art History Elective WI 4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
ART 3611 Advanced Photo Workshop 3
ART 3613 Digital Photography 3
ART or GAD Studio Elective 3
Art History Elective 2 4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours16
Year 4
Fall
ART 4696 Senior Seminar in Photography [WI] 3
Specialized Photography Course 3 3
ART or GAD Studio Elective 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Non-Studio Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
ART 4601 Senior Photography 3
ART 3612 Photo Process Workshop 3
ART or GAD Studio Elective 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Open Elective 2 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

Choose from: ART 3085, ART 3602, ART 3606, ART 3607, ART 3610, ART 3796.

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. Photography 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.

Studio Courses74
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 Courses12-13
Arts of the World I: Prehistoric to 1300
Honors Arts of the World I: Prehistoric to 1300
Arts of the World II: 1300 to the 21st Century
Honors Arts of the World II: 1300 to the 21st Century
2000+ ARTH elective
2000+ ARTH elective
General Education Courses 129
Education Requirements19-18
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 Courses21
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 Hours155
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)

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredit 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
Arts of the World I: Prehistoric to 1300
or Honors Arts of the World I: Prehistoric to 1300
3
 Credit Hours17
Spring
IH 0851
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
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 Hours16
Year 2
Fall
Studio 3
Studio 3
Studio 3
EDUC 2103 Socio-cultural Foundations of Education in the United States 3
IH 0852
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 Hours16
Spring
Studio 3
Studio 3
Studio 3
EDUC 2109 Adolescent Development for Educators 2 3
GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course GQ 4
 Credit Hours16
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 Hours15-16
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 Hours16
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 Hours16-15
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 Hours15
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 Hours16
Spring
ARTE 4003 Inclusive Art Education K-12 Students in the Art Room 3
ARTE 4088 Student Teaching 9
 Credit Hours12
 Total Credit Hours155
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.