Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography

Learn the fundamentals of photographic practice with the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography in the Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University. This 126-credit undergraduate program centers on the arts and science of the discipline as well as the history and contemporary critical trends and theories of photography. Discover your unique voice as an artist, photojournalist and image-maker using traditional and emerging technologies. 

The Photography Major program emphasizes photographic processes as a fine art medium, blending historical practices with exploration of digital and time-based media and other trends in the field. Learn from accomplished practicing faculty with a wide range of professional expertise and work in state-of-the-art facilities with generously equipped photography studios. 

Discover and perfect a wide range of photographic techniques such as light-sensitive, hand-applied emulsions; platinum printing; gum printing and other historical practices. Experiment with digital processes in a 9,000-square-foot facility with two large computer studios hosting large format and jumbo format printing. The photography suite also includes a lighting studio; film loading rooms; enlargers; color-corrected viewing areas; and a lending room of film and digital SLR, medium-format and large-format cameras. 

Whether you’re interested in deep exploration of a variety of techniques, historic wet lab processes or incorporating practices from other studio disciplines into your work, the photography faculty offer guidance and mentorship. 

Art majors at Tyler can take advantage of the school's location at a large research university in Philadelphia, a vibrant art center with a pioneering photography tradition, to find internships and jobs, explore museums and galleries, launch creative practices, start businesses, and earn placements in competitive graduate programs.

Entrepreneurial Studies

In partnership with Temple University’s Fox School of Business, Tyler offers BFA students an entrepreneurial studies option for students who want to learn skills for entrepreneurship—from innovative thinking to how to start a business—as part of their art education. Program coursework is a focused and interdisciplinary blend of art, art history, business, entrepreneurship and other courses as well as open electives. The BFA with Entrepreneurial Studies gives students the skills needed for success as entrepreneurs in the studio discipline of their choice and the necessary preparation to pursue graduate studies in their studio discipline, entrepreneurship or related professions upon graduation.

Learn more about Entrepreneurial Studies at Tyler.

Foundations

All undergraduate first-year students at Tyler begin with a yearlong immersion in our foundations program. Foundations is a multidisciplinary curriculum through which students gain knowledge in essential concepts and theories; established principles and practices; and time-honored skills and techniques in the study of art, design and the built environment. Students develop a global understanding of artistic traditions and the role of art and design in society before choosing a major in their second year at Tyler.

In the art programs, including graphic and interactive design, students begin with focused study of drawing, 2D design and 3D design. They explore diverse materials, processes and perspectives—from the traditional and low-tech to the innovative and experimental. This bachelor's degree program is highly structured and intensive, and imparts fundamental studio practices for all visual art. Through the foundations coursework, students gain an academic grounding in the forms, techniques, styles, subjects and symbolism represented in art, architecture and design. Faculty members from across the art and design areas teach the foundations courses, assuring a broad range of experience and diverse viewpoints.

Learn more about the foundations program at Tyler.

Classes & Curriculum  

Photography majors can take studio and seminar courses that allow you to explore and hone a variety of techniques while developing your own personal vision. Faculty members present a range of skills and concepts essential to your artistic development. 

Examples of Photography Major courses include the following.

  • Color Photography 
  • Darkroom Photography 
  • Digital Photography 
  • Photographic Lighting 
  • View Camera 

Learn about the coursework for the Photography Major.

Minors 

Related Graduate Degrees  

Concentrations

You can focus on Photography or you can take one of the following concentrations.

  • Art Education

    Prepare to qualify for the Pennsylvania Teaching Certification in art, kindergarten through 12th grade. Students complete the BFA requirements along with 32 credit hours in art education, education and specified liberal arts courses. Education-related studies begin in students’ second year. Students generally take five years to fulfill all requirements or the 155-credit degree.

    View Concentration Details

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, the Bachelor of Fine Arts offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

These tuition costs apply to the 2023–2024 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $24,960.00 per year
Out-of-state: $41,496.00 per year

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Additional Program Information