Sculpture MFA | Temple University

Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture

Challenge yourself while mastering an interdisciplinary, exploratory approach to multimedia artmaking with Temple’s Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture. Pursue a range of creative pathways in this 60-credit graduate program, including digital fabrication, film and video, large-scale architectural installations, material and object-based practices, performance, research-based practices, socially engaged art, sound, and time-based media.

Spend extensive studio time in your core area of practice and research and engage in critiques and discourse within a boundary-pushing community that values a robust exchange of ideas. The curriculum emphasizes mentorship, interdisciplinarity, inquiry and research to enrich practices and create theoretical, philosophical and concrete links between art and society.

Sculpture MFA students learn from an award-winning faculty of artists in state-of-the-art, expansive facilities that host dedicated metal, wood and mold-making shops; new media labs; and a sound recording booth. Students are challenged to grow creatively, intellectually and emotionally through risk-taking, technical mastery and expanded practical knowledge.

Students have access to extensive resources that inform and advance their practice as part of Temple—a large, public research university located in Philadelphia, a historic city with a vibrant arts scene. Many Tyler MFA students choose to pursue study abroad opportunities at Temple University Rome, a home base for immersive artistic, academic and cultural exploration for Tyler students since 1966.

Program Format & Curriculum

MFA Sculpture courses provide a broad, cross-disciplinary framework to develop individual creative practices and professional goals within a community of peers. The faculty-student ratio of two full-time sculpture professors to eight graduate students creates a supportive learning environment to integrate diverse studio practices with independent study and research. The professors are actively exhibiting artists with differing aesthetics and provide mentorship in a range of areas within 3D and multidimensional practice.

With core courses aligned over two weekdays, students have considerable flexibility and choice when adding art history and other required or elective 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 research and a thesis exhibition.

Examples of Sculpture MFA coursework include the following classes.

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

Learn more about the coursework for the Sculpture MFA.

Related Graduate Degrees

Art Education MEd

Related Graduate Certificates

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)

TA-SCLP-MFA

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