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Fibers and Material Studies Major

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fibers and Material Studies

Explore the expressive potential and social meaning of fiber materials with the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fibers and Material Studies in the Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University. The 126-credit program is a bold, interdisciplinary approach to the exploration of one of the world’s oldest and most accessible traditions: working with fibers. Through traditional techniques, such as weaving, sewing and embroidery, as well as the most contemporary digital technologies, students learn conceptual and technical skills that prepare them for focused, graduate-level study or a career in a variety of creative fields.

As a Fibers and Materials Studies major, you’ll join a close-knit, inclusive community led by a diverse faculty that pushes students to experiment and collaborate. You’ll contribute to vital discussions on history, identity, social issues and more. Through dynamic projects such as the annual Wearable Art Show, the Natural Dye Garden and the Queer Materials Lab—which focuses on a LGBTQIA+ discourse within the discipline—you’ll create exciting conversations with faculty members, visiting artists and fellow students.

Students are introduced to state-of-the-art equipment, including a Jacquard loom, multiharness floor looms and electronic looms, knitting machines, and embroidery machines. The program also offers digital printing, a fully equipped dye kitchen and screen-printing lab. Many students explore other mediums such as sculpture, video, performance and installation to enhance their artistic creativity and imagination in relation to the field of materials studies. Experimenting with materials and methods is encouraged as students develop their creative practices.

Students take full advantage of Philadelphia's vibrant fibers community and DIY scene and opportunities to engage global social challenges, working closely with professors to engage in community-based projects that challenge them as critical, reflective participants in a broader creative culture. These experiences prepare Fibers and Materials Studies majors to flourish in top graduate programs and production design careers in the visual arts.

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.

Natural Dye Garden and Queer Materials Lab

Fibers student collaborate across the school through projects like Tyler’s Natural Dye Garden, which produces plant and flower materials to make dyes, as well as leverage Philadelphia’s landscape and vibrant DIY art scene to conduct community-based projects; study social and political issues; and examine the relationship between materials, processes and concepts. Launched by fibers program head Jesse Harrod—renowned for their manipulation and transformation of materials—the Queer Materials Lab opens up opportunities for students to work with visiting artists and join a broader LGBTQIA+ discourse.

Fibers and Materials student works with equipment.

Photo by Photo credit: Joseph V. Labolito

Classes & Curriculum

The Fibers and Materials Studies BFA curriculum is designed to give sound preparation to future artists through coursework in practice, theoretical concepts and approaches, and technical skills. The introductory BFA Foundations courses develop a thorough understanding of fundamental processes. Advanced courses stress the development of an individual idiom and preparation for the professional world. Students find aesthetic freedom that encourages personal experimentation and the exploration of visual concepts. A few of the courses you may take include the following.

  • Alternative Materials
  • Body Art and Adornment
  • Dyeing for Color
  • Soft Sculpture
  • Woven Structure

Learn more about courses in this program.

Concentrations

This degree program can be completed with or without a concentration. Your concentration options include

Minors

Related Graduate Degrees

Related Graduate Certificates

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 2025–2026 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $26,592.00 per year
Out-of-state: $44,532.00 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

For more information about the Fibers and Material Studies program, please contact

Jesse Harrod, assistant professor and program head, fibers and materials studies.
Email:  

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. 

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:  
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. 

Additional Program Information