Bachelor of Fine Arts

7725 Penrose Avenue
Elkins Park, PA 19027
215-782-2828
tyler@temple.edu

Tyler's curriculum is designed to give sound preparation to the future artist while at the same time avoiding narrow vocational goals. The freshman foundation program and introductory courses in each studio area develop a thorough understanding of fundamental processes and information. Advanced courses in the majors stress the development of an individual idiom and preparation for the professional world. At Tyler, art students find an atmosphere of aesthetic freedom that encourages personal experimentation and the exploration of visual concepts.

The B.F.A. with Teaching Certification program leads to certification for teaching art in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Students must complete B.F.A. requirements along with a three-year department core in Education and Art Education that begins in the sophomore year. Because of increased requirements, four years plus one summer session are usually necessary to fulfill all requirements.

Freshman Year

The Foundation Program is highly structured and intensive; it forms the base that establishes the fundamental studio practice and principles for all visual art expression. In addition to presenting traditional vocabulary, theory, media, and technique, the Foundation Program develops creative thinking and problem solving, visual thinking, and perceptual and imaginative abilities. Faculty members from all areas of the school teach the Foundation courses, assuring a broad range of experience and diverse viewpoints.

Sophomore Year

Sophomore studio electives serve as prerequisites to enter the major, of which one or two specific courses are required in each major. During the sophomore year, students are offered the opportunity to explore a wide range of studio areas. This experience gives the necessary background with which to make an informed selection of a major and adds to the overall breadth of the educational experience. Requirements are six 2000-level studio courses (18 s.h.), not to exceed three courses from any one major area and to include at least one course from three different major areas; and additional credits in Art History electives and/or University Core Curriculum.

Junior and Senior Years

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is completed after a final two-year concentration in a major studio area. Because expressive work is often achieved by synthesis of disparate media, a substantial amount of studio work outside the major is allowed. Requirements are eight specified 3000-4000 level major courses (24 s.h.), with a minimum grade of C- required in each course; seven studio electives which may be taken outside the major or as additional major (21 s.h.); and additional credits in Art History electives and/or University Core Curriculum.

B.F.A. Degree

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art may be conferred upon a student by recommendation of the faculty and upon the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 132 semester hours of credit with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.

B.F.A. Curriculum

Suggested Four Year B.F.A. Sequence

B.F.A. Degree with Teaching Certification

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with Teaching Certification may be conferred upon a student by recommendation of the faculty and upon the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 148 semester hours of credit with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

B.F.A. with Teaching Certification Curriculum

Four Year B.F.A. with Teaching Certification Sequence

B.F.A. Foundation Program

Studies for the B.F.A. degree at Tyler (including those who seek Art Teaching Certification K-12) begin with a common freshman experience, the Foundation Year.  During this year, students are enrolled in studio courses in Drawing, 2-D and 3-D Principles, and Foundation Computer.  The Foundation Department is highly structured and intensive.  It forms the fundamental basis for studio practice, critical thinking, and the understanding and implementation of principles of visual expression.  The program emphasizes creative and critical thinking, problem solving, visual thinking, perception and observation through the use of visual vocabulary, theory, media, and techniques of artistic practice.  The Foundation Faculty is comprised of artists from all the fields represented in the School's majors, providing freshmen with a broad perspective and diverse points of view from which to build their experience as artists.

B.F.A. Foundation Year