Tyler School of Art and Architecture MFA applications

The Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University announces the fall 2022 application season for its Master of Fine Arts program, a journey of deep material exploration, conceptual growth, and self-discovery for those seeking advanced studies in studio arts and design.

Tyler’s Master of Fine Arts program offers rigorous study in ceramics, fibers and material studies, glass, metals/jewelry/CAD-CAM, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture as well as graphic and interactive design, coupled with coursework in other areas of choice.

Our MFA students experience extensive and detailed learning in a selected discipline while also investigating ways in which any of our nearly two dozen academic tracks can advance their educational pursuit and career goals.

Our programs are in-depth, interdisciplinary and adaptable, hallmarks of why Tyler has been a top choice among those who want rigor, flexibility and growth in unexpected ways. Students craft their thesis committee from 22 disciplines at Tyler and a vast array of programs in Temple’s larger academic community.

As an MFA student, you will study with critically acclaimed faculty equally accomplished as scholars and practitioners, amid an active culture of research and an inclusive community attentive to social impact. You will also learn from your peers in both small, close-knit cohorts and large cross-disciplinary critique classes.

From one-on-one faculty mentorship to expansive facilities, dedicated studios and rare equipment such as a TC2 digital Jacquard loom, extensive glass facilities and wet photography darkroom to the abundant resources of a major Tier 1 public research institution, students can find worlds of opportunity they never knew existed. All enhanced by a vibrant arts scene in Philadelphia, the nation’s sixth largest city.

Since 2012, Tyler’s annual Master of Fine Arts Catalog has been a capstone of the degree program, a special collaboration between its graduating MFA students and its continuing art history students. Each MFA student is paired with an art historian, who authors a contextual analysis of the graduating artist’s or designer’s thesis exhibition.

Tyler’s offerings go beyond programmatic excellence to include generous financial support—more than 2 million USD annually in fellowships, assistantships, scholarships and grants—that makes this extraordinary educational experience accessible to admitted students.

“As part of a large university, students have access to a broad range of merit and need-based financial assistance, an advantage that you might not find at a small, independent art school,” said Chad Curtis, associate dean and graduate program director.

“The diversity of other resources means students can reach beyond boundaries in how they conceptualize their art-making, scholarship or design practice,” he said.

MFA students can also expand the power of their degree with coursework in arts management and certificate programs in Temple’s Teaching in Higher Education and Cultural Analytics, among other opportunities.

Tour Tyler
Visiting Tyler is the first crucial step in our graduate application process. Your visit will be tailored to your disciplinary interests, and you will speak with program heads about the specifics of pursuing an MFA degree at Tyler. Learn more to request a visit.

Fall 2021 MFA thesis shows
Tyler’s annual MFA thesis shows, extended this fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic, present bodies of work by graduating students developed over two years of study and represent intensive artistic and critical development.

View the schedule of our fall 2021 MFA thesis shows, opening October 20.

Tyler annual lecture series
Tyler’s three major lecture series bring scores of emerging and established artists, scholars and art and design professionals to speak about their individual practices, current affairs and new directions in today’s creative fields.

Learn more about the fall 2021 speakers for Critical Dialogues, Architecture and Environmental Design (AED) Presents and the Laurie Wagman Visiting Artist and Artist-in-Residence Lectures.