Program Overview

Introduction to the Fibers and Material Studies MFA Program

The Fibers and Material Studies program at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture is a two-year, 60-credit program leading to the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree. This program pushes students to refine their aesthetic and embrace a broad definition of material exploration in relation to relevant global issues.

About the Program

Under the mentorship of an influential and diverse faculty and visiting artists on the cutting-edge of creative practice and critical inquiry, students find a compassionate, inclusive environment primed for experimentation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and independent study. Students have unlimited access to Tyler's state-of-the-art equipment and the abundant resources of Temple, a large public research university, to drive their research-based concepts.

Program Details

• Time Limit for Degree Completion: 4 years
• Campus Location: Main
• Full-Time/Part-Time Status: Full-time status is required
• Interdisciplinary Study: The Fibers and Material Studies curriculum embraces material exploration—from community-based projects to experimental performance, sound, and video—in relation to issues surrounding identity, power, sustainability, and more
• Study Abroad: Many Tyler MFA students choose to pursue summer study abroad opportunities at Temple University Rome
• Accreditation: This degree program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
• Areas of Specialization: In the Fibers program, equipment is available for traditional and contemporary techniques, including new technologies
• Job Prospects: A Tyler Fibers and Material Studies MFA degree prepares graduates for a rigorous studio practice and develops their aptitude to teach at leading institutions

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

• Application Deadline: January 6
• Letters of Reference: 3 letters of recommendation from college/university faculty members, gallery directors, and/or curators familiar with the applicant's academic and artistic competence
• Coursework Required for Admission Consideration: 40 undergraduate studio credits and 12 art history credits
• Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A baccalaureate degree and a portfolio specific to Fibers and Materials Studies are required
• Statement of Goals: In approximately 500 to 1,000 words, share specific interest in Tyler's program, research goals, future career goals, and academic and artistic achievements
• Standardized Test Scores: Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English must report scores for a standardized test of English
• Portfolio: A portfolio consisting of 20 images representative of the immediate direction of the applicant's work
• Resume: Current resume required

Program Requirements

• General Program Requirements: 60 credits required to earn the degree
• Required Courses:
  • Project and Seminar Courses
    • ART 8004: Critique and Critical Discourse I (2 terms)
    • ART 8005: Critique and Critical Discourse II (2 terms)
    • ART 8201/8202: Graduate Projects: Fibers I (4 terms)
    • ART 9991: Directed Studio Practice (3 terms)
  • Art History Courses: 9 credits
  • Electives: 15 credits
  • Culminating Course: ART 9995: Master of Fine Arts Thesis
• Culminating Events: An approved thesis exhibition, with a written statement of working philosophy and slide and/or CD portfolio, is required at the final review

Transfer Credit

Upon approval, up to 9 credits of graduate work completed at Temple University within a five-year period 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.