Program Overview

Program Overview

The Painting MFA program at Temple University is a 60-credit degree that requires students to complete a series of courses, including project and seminar courses, art history courses, electives, and a culminating course.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements

The program requires 60 credits to earn the degree.

Required Courses

The following courses are required:

• Project and Seminar Courses
  • ART 8004: Critique and Critical Discourse I (2 terms, 6 credits)
  • ART 8005: Critique and Critical Discourse II (2 terms, 6 credits)
  • ART 8583: Graduate Projects: Painting (4 terms, 12 credits)
  • ART 9991: Directed Studio Practice (3 terms, 9 credits)
• Art History Courses (9 credits)
  • Students select three courses in Art History at the 5000 level or higher, including:
    • ARTH 8402: Introduction to Critical Thinking and Practice
    • One Art History Seminar
    • One additional graduate ARTH course
• Electives (15 credits)
  • Students must earn 3 credits in a studio elective and 3 credits in a professional practice experience course
  • Professional practice courses are offered in fields such as Arts Management, Community Arts, and Teaching in Higher Education
  • The remaining 9 credits of electives are completed within the Tyler School of Art and Architecture, or in other Temple University schools and colleges with preapproval
• Culminating Course
  • ART 9995: Master of Fine Arts Thesis (3 credits)

Culminating Event

A thesis exhibition with a written statement and slide and/or CD portfolio is required at the final review to meet the MFA requirements. Approval of the student's graduate committee is required.

Program Structure

Courses are sequenced to be taken in the Fall and Spring terms, with the sequence repeated a second year for a total of four courses taken over four terms.