Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Visual Studies, offered by the Department of Art History, is ideal for socially-conscious artists who want to utilize the resources of a larger research university while accessing the historic studio traditions of Tyler School of Art and Architecture. The BA in Visual Studies is complemented by its situation in the Art History department, where art historians and contemporary artists work together to foster historical and contemporary understandings about global art and visual culture, and the power of image-making.

Visual Studies students develop skills as makers and thinkers in an equal ratio of studio and academic classes, and the curriculum allows for a higher-than-average number of electives that can be chosen according to the student's particular needs and interests. Our curriculum is consciously interdisciplinary, and not oriented towards specialization, so that students can explore the theoretical and technical aspects of art making outside the traditional restrictions of a single studio area. The skills needed to succeed today in the arts are not the same as previous generations. Today young artists need to be able to write about their own work in relation to contemporary visual culture, be able to find and work with collaborators in many different related occupations, know how to find and take advantage of opportunities, know how to access financial and social resources from many different places, and use and adapt to rapidly evolving tools, technology and data effectively.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: TA-VISS-BA

Admissions

For more information on how to apply, please visit Tyler's Visual Studies 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.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of Visual Studies are well prepared for a wide-range of careers in the cultural sphere as exhibiting artists and published writers, museum and gallery work, as curators, positions in design and media industries, as small business owners and entrepreneurs, and in the non-profit sectors of education, political advocacy, and community leadership.

Continuing Studies

Graduates are well prepared for advanced academic training, and recent students have gone on to complete graduate degrees in fine arts, art therapy, textile design, book restoration, art history, curatorial studies and art education.

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

Andrea Ray, Program Head
andrea.ray0002@temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Art in Visual 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 Arts degree may be conferred upon a student by recommendation of the faculty and upon the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 122 semester hours of credit with a minimum cumulative 2.00 GPA.

University Requirements

Students must complete the university's General Education curriculum.

  • Successful completion (minimum grade of C-) in both FDPR 1511 and ARTH 1156 will waive the GenEd Arts (GA) requirement.
  • Summer or semester study abroad will satisfy the GenEd Global/World Society requirement.

Major Requirements

  • Required courses in the Visual Studies program must be completed with a minimum grade of C- to apply towards degree requirements.
  • All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses at Temple University as part of the major. The specific writing-intensive courses required for this major are ART 3796 and VS 4096.
Foundation Requirements
FDPR 1511Foundation Drawing3
FDPR 15212D Foundation Principles3
FDPR 15313D Foundation Principles/W3
or FDPR 1532 3D Foundation Principles/C
VS 1651Visual Studies 1 Foundation: Digital Imaging3
TYLE 1071Visual Studies 1 Introduction to Visual Studies: History, Theory, Practice3
FDPR 1503Woodshop Fundamentals1
Studio Requirements
VS 2001VS Studio Seminar: Subjectivities3
VS 2002VS Studio: Research Methodologies3
VS 2003VS Studio: Sites3
VS 2004VS Studio: Global Citizens3
ART 3796Art Career Workshop3
ART 2011Socially Engaged Arts Practices in Communities3
VS 4096VS: Senior Thesis3
Select 6 studio electives from ART, ARCH, ARTE, CART, GAD, LARC 118
Art History Requirement
ARTH 1155Arts of the World I: Prehistoric to 13003
or ARTH 1955 Honors Arts of the World I: Prehistoric to 1300
ARTH 1156Arts of the World II: 1300 to the 21st Century3
or ARTH 1956 Honors Arts of the World II: 1300 to the 21st Century
Academic Requirements
Select 4 Non-Studio Elective courses at any level 2, 313
Select 4 Upper Level Non-Studio electives (2000-level or above) 212
Language Requirement (select one from the following) 44
Arabic Elements II
Chinese Elements II
Introduction to French II
Introduction to German II
Ancient Greek 2
Elements II
Hindi Elements II
Italian Language II
Honors Italian Language II
Japanese Elements II
Korean Elements II
Latin 2
Basic II
First-Year Russian II
Basic II
Honors Basic II
Total Credit Hours90
1

These studio electives must be taken in two or more areas within the subject codes ART, ARCH, ARTE, CART, GAD, or LARC but may not include ART 2011, CART 3011, or CART 3911.

2

Academic Electives may not be fulfilled with studio classes or courses with the subject code of ART or GAD.

3

If Language 1001 level is required per placement test results, this will apply towards one of the required academic elective courses.

4

If Language 1002 is not required as determined by placement testing, these credits must be taken as academic elective.

Suggested Academic Plan

Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.

Bachelor of Arts in Visual Studies

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

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredit Hours
FDPR 1503 Woodshop Fundamentals 1
FDPR 1511 Foundation Drawing 1 3
Select one of the following: 3
3D Foundation Principles/W  
3D Foundation Principles/C  
TYLE 1071 Visual Studies 1 Introduction to Visual Studies: History, Theory, Practice 3
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 1521 2D Foundation Principles 3
VS 1651 Visual Studies 1 Foundation: Digital Imaging 3
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
GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course [GQ] 4
 Credit Hours13
Year 2
Fall
VS 2003 VS Studio: Sites 3
IH 0851
Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
3
Studio Elective 2 3
Language 1001 (or Academic Elective) 3 4
Academic Elective (any level) 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
VS 2001 VS Studio Seminar: Subjectivities 3
IH 0852
Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
3
Studio Elective 2 3
Language 1002 (or Academic Elective) 4 4
Academic Elective (any level) 3
 Credit Hours16
Year 3
Fall
VS 2004 VS Studio: Global Citizens 3
Studio Elective 2 3
Academic Elective (any level) 3
Academic Elective (2000+) 3 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
ART 2011 Socially Engaged Arts Practices in Communities 3
Studio Elective 2 3
Academic Elective (2000+) 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours15
Year 4
Fall
VS 2002 VS Studio: Research Methodologies 3
Studio Elective 2 3
Academic Elective (2000+) 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
VS 4096 VS: Senior Thesis [WI] 3
ART 3796 Art Career Workshop [WI] 3
Studio Elective 2 3
Academic Elective (2000+) 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours122
1

These 2 courses constitute the waiver for the GenEd Arts category if the courses are completed with a C- or better.

2

Select 2000+ level studio electives ART, ARCH, ARTE, CART, GAD, LARC, but not ART 2011. These studio electives must be from two or more areas.

3

If first level language (1001) is not required as determined by placement testing, these credits must be taken as academic elective.

4

If second level language (1002) is not required as determined by placement testing, these credits must be taken as academic elective.

Please Note: An approved study abroad program will waive the GenEd Global/World Society (GG) requirement. Visual Studies majors interested in studying abroad should consult with an academic advisor to discuss how a semester or a summer program fits in the program to remain on track for graduation.