Glass MFA | Temple University

Master of Fine Arts in Glass

Join a nationally ranked graduate program of interdisciplinary thought and practice through the Master of Fine Arts in Glass at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University. Tyler’s Glass MFA has been consistently recognized as one of the top programs in the discipline by U.S. News & World Report.

Graduate students work in an intensive studio setting and closely with diverse and highly accomplished faculty. The 60-credit curriculum comprises rigorous studio practice, research, seminars and peer reviews with other disciplines. Visiting artists and curators regularly give lectures and demonstrations and critique student work, widening students’ artistic network.

As an MFA student, you’ll interact with undergraduates both in the shop and in the studios, developing and strengthening your teaching experience. Our graduate students benefit from the Glass MFA program’s strong record of placing alumni in faculty positions and arts practices across the country.

The school’s location in Philadelphia, a vibrant arts center with a strong glass tradition, allows students to gain further experience in their discipline. Tyler’s proximity to New York City’s arts resources allows students to grow their creative practices and businesses as well as earn teaching positions in higher education at leading institutions. Students can also engage in the contemporary art and glass scene.

Visiting Artists and Lecturers

The Laurie Wagman Visiting Artist and Artist-in-residence Series in Glass and other visiting artist programs bring leading national and international artists, art collectives, and curators of diverse backgrounds and practices to enrich the Tyler Glass experience and join MFA students for one-on-one time in their studios. Past recipients include Related Tactics, Janine Antoni, Anna Mlasowsky, and Silvia Levenson. Learn more about visiting artists and lecturers at Tyler.

An image of a student placing glass in oven

Program Format & Curriculum

With core courses aligned over two weekdays, Glass MFA have considerable flexibility and choice when selecting art history, elective and seminar classes, either within Tyler’s graduate curriculum or across the university. Courses in critique and critical discourse are a foundational to the first year of study. Under the mentorship of a faculty member, students also participate in directed studio research and an MFA thesis gallery exhibition in their final semester of study.

Tyler's Glass graduate curriculum places a strong value on collaboration, attention to detail and expertise when handling state-of-the-art studio equipment. Students are provided opportunities to enhance their understanding of the full range of glass processes: glass blowing, hot casting, kiln casting, flame working, neon, performance and more.

Some of the courses you’ll take as a Glass MFA student include the following.

Critique and Critical Discourse I and II
Graduate Projects, Glass
Directed Studio Practice
Art History Seminar (5000, 8000 or 9000 level)
Master of Fine Arts Thesis

Learn more about the coursework for the Glass MFA.

Related Graduate Certificates

Careers

The MFA Glass program prepares graduates for careers as professional artists, crafts persons, designers, and educators. Other professional opportunities include the following.

Curator
Exhibition designer
Museum educator/researcher
Professional artist
Tableware designer
Youth program and workshop educator

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, this Master 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. These tuition costs apply to the 2024–2025 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,318.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,751.00 per credit

You can view the full cost of attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

Our Advisors

Tyler's academic advising team offers every Tyler student one-on-one, personal and academic guidance, beginning at Orientation right through to graduation. Our academic advisors will help you chart your course through your program, and ensure you are on a clear 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

Enhance your coursework, build meaningful networks and gain leadership experience by participating in student-led clubs and organizations. Below are examples of groups at Tyler that can help you grow academically, creatively and professionally.

Graduate Arts Collective is a graduate, student-led organization that connects Tyler peers with resources, information, social events and other activities, including publication of the annual MFA thesis catalog.
American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) is an independent, nonprofit, student-run organization. AIAS provides unmatched programs, information and resources on issues critical to architectural education.
Art History Graduate Organization provides a forum for exchange of ideas that enriches the experience of graduate art history students, including events, guest lectures, interaction with alumni, museum trips and peer gatherings that support new students and aid advisors in recruiting prospective students.
American Society of Landscape Architects, Student Chapter at Temple’s Ambler Campus works to advance landscape architecture through advocacy, education and fellowship.

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)

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