Photography Major | Temple University

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

Art History

Related Graduate Degrees

Photography MFA

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

Our Academic Advisors

Tyler’s academic advising team offers every Tyler student one-on-one, personal and academic guidance, beginning at Orientation right through to graduation. The academic advisors help you chart your course through your degree program and major, and ensure you are on a clear educational path.

Advisors are available to discuss registration, study abroad and staying on track to graduate, as well as policy and procedures and navigating other available resources across the university.

Appointments with the advising team can be made by visiting the Student Tools tab in TUportal. General questions can be submitted to the team’s virtual front desk during regular business hours, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Academic Advising Office
Tyler 212
2001 N. 13th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19122

Program Contact

Student Clubs & Organizations

Joining a student organization can enrich your coursework, help you build meaningful networks with peers and gain leadership experience. Below are examples of student clubs and organizations that can help you grow academically, creatively and professionally. 

Artists of Color Collective provides a community and resources for creative people of color at Temple University, including planning workshops in which students learn skills that can serve them in their artistic practice or career.  
Fine arts guilds and clubs in bookbinding, ceramics, fibers and materials studies, glass, and printmaking are open to all degree programs and levels of study. They offer opportunities for anyone to explore new mediums, build knowledge and educate the broader Temple community about various art forms.

See a full list of student organizations.

Study Away

Exposure to diverse cultures, environments and mindsets is essential for art, architecture and design students. At Tyler, you are encouraged to broaden your perspective and explore unique environments through study away programs.

Programs to study in Rome, Tokyo and Venice are offered throughout the year.

For a half-century, Temple Rome has been a center for hands-on, interdisciplinary learning, where the “Eternal City” is the classroom, the studio and the campus. It offers extensive experiences for art and architecture students, with courses in architecture, art history, drawing, liberal arts, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture.

Temple University Japan offers a Bachelor of Arts in Art with a Digital Media concentration. Students may also take individual digital photography, art history and architecture courses on the Japan campus.

The Education Abroad and Overseas Campuses office is available to answer questions.
Email: study.abroad@temple.edu
Phone: 215-204-0720

Accreditation

Tyler School of Art and Architecture’s degree programs are accredited by the following accrediting bodies.

Tyler School of Art and Architecture’s architecture and environmental design programs are accredited by the following accrediting bodies.

National Architectural Accrediting Board (Master of Architecture)
Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture)
Planning Accreditation Board (Master of Science in City and Regional Planning)
International Facilities Management Association (Bachelor of Science in Facilities Management)

TA-PHOT-BFA

Additional Program Information

School/College Site

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