The Tyler School of Art and Architecture

Organizer Information

The Tyler School of Art and Architecture is a leading creative and academic institution within Temple University, a top-tier public research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in the 1930s, Tyler offers an immersive, interdisciplinary environment that combines studio practice, critical theory, design innovation, and architectural research. Located in a modern facility on Temple's Main Campus, Tyler connects students to Philadelphia's rich artistic landscape, historic cultural institutions, and thriving community arts initiatives.

Key Information

• Official Program Title: Tyler School of Art and Architecture Graduate Programs (MFA in Studio Art, MA in Art History, MEd in Art Education, MA in Art Therapy, MArch, MS in Architecture, MLArch)
• Program Type: Master of Fine Arts (MFA) / Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Education (MEd) / Master of Architecture (MArch) / Master of Science (MS)
• Institution Name: Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Temple University
• Country / City: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
• Academic Field: Fine Arts (Painting, Sculpture, Ceramics, Glass, Printmaking, Graphic & Interactive Design, Photography), Art History, Art Education, Art Therapy, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, City & Regional Planning
• Language of Degree: English
• Number of Open Study Places: Highly selective cohort sizes per specialization (approx. 10–24 new students admitted across studio concentrations/cohorts annually)
• Application Period: Application portal opens August 1 for the following Fall entry
• Second Phase Remote Interviews Date: Late January to February (conducted online for select graduate studio & architectural candidates)
• Announcement of Admissions Result Date: Early March to April
• Application Deadline: December 15 (International Applicants & Art History MA/PhD) | January 6 (Priority Deadline for US Applicants & Financial Aid Consideration for MFA/MArch/MEd)
• Start of Studies Date: Late August (Fall Semester)
• Tuition: Pennsylvania Residents: ~$1,406 per credit (~$25,308/year) | Out-of-State / International Students: ~$1,872 per credit (~$33,696/year based on 18 credits/year)

Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines

• Accepted Academic Backgrounds: Accredited bachelor's degree (BA, BFA, BS, BArch, or international equivalent). For MFA programs, a minimum of 40 undergraduate studio credits and 12 art history credits is recommended.
• Preferred Disciplines: Fine Arts, Graphic & Interactive Design, Ceramics, Glass, Jewelry/Metals/CAD-CAM, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Art History, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Community Arts, and Art Education.
• Interdisciplinary Acceptance Rules: Cross-disciplinary and non-traditional academic backgrounds are welcomed provided candidates demonstrate creative ability, conceptual maturity, and technical readiness through their portfolio.
• Portfolio Relevance: Essential for MFA, MArch, MSArch, MS Facilities Planning, MEd Art Education, and MA Art Therapy programs. Portfolio submission is submitted online via Temple SlideRoom.

General Eligibility

• Who Can Apply?: Open globally to domestic (U.S.) and international candidates.
• Age Restrictions: None.
• Professional vs Academic Eligibility: Evaluated holistically; open to both recent university graduates and practicing artists, designers, or educators looking to advance their studio or scholarly research.
• Portfolio-Based Eligibility Conditions: MFA studio applicants must submit 20 digital images/media items via SlideRoom representing the immediate direction of their work completed within the past 1–2 years.

Educational Background

• Required Minimum Degree: Accredited baccalaureate degree (BA, BFA, BS, or international equivalent) from an accredited institution prior to matriculation.
• Accepted Fields of Study: Studio art, art history, design, architecture, humanities, social sciences, or related interdisciplinary disciplines.
• Equivalent Professional Experience Acceptance: Professional practice alone cannot replace an accredited undergraduate degree; degree completion is mandatory. Up to 9 graduate transfer credits may be evaluated on a case-by-case basis after matriculation.
• Excluded or Non-Eligible Backgrounds: Applicants who have not completed an accredited undergraduate degree prior to the start term are ineligible.

Language Proficiency Requirement

• Required Language(s): English.
• Minimum Test Scores:
  • TOEFL iBT: Minimum score of 79–80 overall.
  • IELTS Academic: Minimum overall band score of 6.5.
  • Duolingo English Test (DET): Minimum score of 110–115.
• Waiver Conditions: Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution where the primary language of instruction was English are exempt from submitting English test scores.

Additional Eligibility Conditions

• Nationality Restrictions: None (Global applicants welcome).
• Work or Research Experience Requirements: Prior creative output or scholarly research as documented in the CV/resume and Statement of Goals.
• Portfolio / Research Proposal Expectations:
  • Studio MFA: 20 portfolio media items via SlideRoom + 500–1,000 word Statement of Goals.
  • Art History MA: 10-page research writing sample demonstrating scholarly analysis and full citations.
• Visa or Institutional Constraints: International applicants must meet U.S. F-1 visa eligibility requirements, including submitting proof of financial support for tuition and living expenses upon admission.

Tuition

Funding & Financial Support

• Scholarships (Full / Partial):
  • Tyler Departmental Merit Scholarships: Awarded automatically to exceptional full-time MFA and graduate applicants based on portfolio and academic strength.
  • Temple University Fellowships: Highly competitive university-wide awards (e.g., Presidential Fellowships) covering full tuition plus a living stipend.
• Grants / Stipends: Graduate Assistantships (GA) and Teaching Assistantships (TA) providing partial-to-full tuition coverage and an annual living stipend in exchange for course instruction or studio management support.
• Teaching or Research Assistantships: Available for MFA and doctoral students to gain teaching experience in undergraduate studio art or art history courses.
• Studio / Production Funding: Access to specialized equipment, digital fabrication, materials labs, and exhibition subsidies included in university registration.

University Services & Academic Support

• Studio / Lab Access: Dedicated individual 24/7 graduate studio spaces, digital fabrication equipment (laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC routers), printmaking facilities, glass blowing hot shop, ceramics kilns, foundry, and photo darkrooms/media suites.
• Research Supervision: Direct instruction, critical discourse seminars, and individual studio critiques led by internationally recognized artists, art historians, and visiting critics.
• Mentorship Programs: Access to Temple Contemporary gallery initiatives, visiting artist lecture series, and professional practice training (including the Teaching in Higher Education Certificate).
• Career Services: Temple University Career Center offering resume reviews, grant writing advice, and career networking.
• Exhibition / Residency Opportunities: Annual MFA Thesis Exhibitions at Temple Contemporary, graduate student gallery showcases, and regional exhibition partnerships across Philadelphia.
• Library / Archive Access: Full access to Temple University Libraries network, Charles Library, Paley Media Center, and specialized art/architecture collections.
• International Student Support Services: Immigration advising, OPT/CPT work authorization, and cultural adjustment services provided by Temple’s International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).

Application Requirements

• Graduate Application Form: Submitted via Temple University’s online graduate application portal.
• Statement of Goals: 500 to 1,000-word essay describing your creative/scholarly research goals, artistic background, and reasons for pursuing study at Tyler.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) / Resume: Highlighting professional experience, exhibitions, grants, publications, and education.
• Creative Portfolio or Writing Sample:
  • Studio MFA: 20 representative media items uploaded via Temple SlideRoom.
  • Art History MA: Academic writing sample (up to 10 pages) with scholarly references.
• Letters of Recommendation: 3 letters of reference from academic or professional recommenders.
• Academic Transcripts: Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
• English Proficiency Scores: Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score reports for international applicants.
• Application Fee: $60 USD (plus SlideRoom processing fee).

How to Apply?

Applicants must submit their primary graduate application via the Temple University Graduate Application Portal

. Portfolio materials for studio programs must be uploaded separately through the Temple SlideRoom Portal

.

Deadline & Timeline

• International Student Application Deadline: December 15
• Art History MA/PhD Application Deadline: December 15
• US MFA / Architecture Priority Application Deadline: January 6 (Required for financial assistance and assistantship consideration)
• Second Phase Remote Interviews Date: Late January – February
• Notification Date: March – April
• Start of Studies Date: Late August (Fall Semester)

Location

In-Person: Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Temple University, 2001 N. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States.

Additional Details

MFA applicants at Tyler complete a rigorous 60-credit, two-year curriculum featuring private studio practice, interdisciplinary critical discourse seminars, art history electives, and a final thesis exhibition at Temple Contemporary. Submitting applications by the priority January 6 deadline guarantees consideration for graduate teaching assistantships and tuition fellowship funding.

Website Link

Tyler School of Art and Architecture Official Page