Graduate Bulletin

Graphic and Interactive Design, M.F.A.

TYLER SCHOOL OF ART

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: January 15

Applications are evaluated together after the deadline date.

APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.

Letters of Reference:

Number Required: 3

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from college/university faculty members, art directors, and/or designers familiar with the applicant's academic and artistic competence.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:

40 undergraduate studio credits and 12 art history credits are required.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

A baccalaureate degree and a portfolio specific to Graphic and Interactive Design are required.

Statement of Goals:

The Statement of Goals should be approximately 500-1,000 words in length and should include the following elements: your interest in Tyler's program; your research goals; your future career goals; and your academic and artistic achievements.

Standardized Test Scores:

Minimum TOEFL score needed to be accepted: 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based, or 79 internet-based.

Portfolio:

As a Master of Fine Arts applicant, you must submit a portfolio that consists of 20 images representative of the immediate direction of your work. Portfolios are to be uploaded at https://temple.slideroom.com/, as instructed at the website. SlideRoom requires an additional fee for this service. Original work, slides, CD-ROMs, catalogs, photographs, books, and/or binders are not acceptable substitutes for the SlideRoom portfolio and will not be reviewed or returned.

Resume:

A resume is required.

Transfer Credit:

Upon approval of the Art Education Coordinator, the student's advisor, and the Associate Dean, up to 9 credits of graduate work completed at Temple University within a five-year deadline may be transferred into the program. Up to 6 credits of graduate coursework taken at other accredited institutions within the prior five years before matriculation may be considered for transfer into the program after the student has enrolled. No decisions are made until students have successfully completed 15 matriculated semester hours of the degree. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 9.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:

Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 60, including 33-36 credits in Projects and Seminar Classes, 12 credits in Art History, and 12-15 credits in Studio Electives.

Projects and Seminar Classes (33-36 credits):

GAD 8001:  Visual Design Graduate Seminar (4 semesters)

GAD 8083:  Graphic Design Graduate Projects (3 semesters)

GAD 8095:  Visual Design Thesis (4 semesters)

TYLER 8000:  Interdisciplinary Seminar (1 semester)

Art History (12 credits):

Of the four required courses, two must be Art History Seminar classes chosen from a range of graduate offerings (5000 to 5800 or 8000 to 9980).  Please visit the Art History course listing for more information.

Studio Electives (12-15 credits):

Course descriptions can be viewed on the Graduate School website and in the Undergraduate Bulletin. Please note that taking any course under the 5000 level for graduate credit requires prior approval from the studio area head.

Internship: No internship is required.

Language Examination: No language examination is required.

Culminating Events:

Thesis Exhibition with Slide Show:

An approved thesis exhibition, written statement, and slide portfolio are required at the final review in order to meet M.F.A. requirements. Approval of the student's graduate committee is required.

Contacts

Program Contact Information:

www.temple.edu/gaid

Department Information:

Graduate Admissions Office

Tyler School of Art

2001 N. 13th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19122

tylerart@temple.edu
215-777-9090

Department Contacts:

Admissions:

Carmina Cianciulli
tylerart@temple.edu
215-777-9090

Graduate Chairperson:

Joseph Scorsone
joseph.scorsone@temple.edu
215-777-9890

Chairperson:

Stephanie Knopp
stephanie.knopp@temple.edu
215-777-9145

About the Program

The graduate program in Graphic and Interactive Design is a two-year, 60-credit program leading to the Master of Fine Arts degree.  Authorship of large-scale design projects is central to the program.  M.F.A. students create the content of their work in seminar and thesis classes. The execution of work in the M.F.A. program is expected to meet the exacting visual and technical demands of the graphic design profession.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 4 years

Campus Location:

Main

Full-Time/Part-Time Status:

Full-time status is required.

Department Information:

Graduate Admissions Office

Tyler School of Art

2001 N. 13th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19122

tylerart@temple.edu
215-777-9090

Interdisciplinary Study:

The focus in Graphic and Interactive Design is augmented and balanced by specially designed graduate-level Art History courses and seminars; a required interdisciplinary seminar; and studio electives that ensure cross-disciplinary contact among students.

Affiliation(s):

Not applicable.

Study Abroad:

No.

Ranking:

Not applicable.

Accreditation:

This degree program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

Areas of Specialization:

The design faculty at Tyler is made up of practicing graphic and interactive designers with established reputations in the field. It is the goal of the design faculty to challenge students to achieve the highest level of excellence in their work.

Job Placement:

Graduates from the M.F.A. program have been extremely successful in the field. They work for print and web design companies, advertising agencies, publishing companies, and design departments of major corporations.  They also work in film and television, music packaging and promotion, and product design and packaging, and as freelance illustrators.

Licensure:

Not applicable.

Non-Degree Student Policy:

M.F.A. courses are restricted to matriculated students.

Financing Opportunities

The principal duties of a Teaching Assistant (TA) include assisting faculty members in the classroom or laboratory; preparing apparatus, software, or material for demonstration; conducting tutorials and discussion sections; teaching classes; and monitoring and maintaining studio and computer facilities. In addition, an Academic Intern (AI) may assist in the Tyler Publications Office.

Updated 3.22.10