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Painting Major

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting

Embark on the journey to becoming a practicing artist with the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting in Temple University’s Tyler School of Art and Architecture. The 126-credit undergraduate degree program is recognized as one of the nation’s top programs in the painting discipline within an intimate setting of world-class facilities and distinguished teachers. 

Challenge yourself to grow as an artist and a critical thinker with the Painting BFA. Our diverse faculty—all of whom are practicing artists and scholars themselves—bring a broad range of backgrounds, experiences and expertise, and a commitment to being passionate and generous mentors. 

Learn to critically engage in the processes of seeing, making and thinking; to contextualize practices in art history, theory, and visual culture; to reflect on and assess your work and that of others; and to collectively and collaboratively produce new images and imaginaries.

In your final year, you will have the opportunity to apply for the juried Senior Studio course and your own studio space. There are also ample opportunities to show your work within solo or group exhibitions in the Stella Elkins Tyler Gallery and other exhibition spaces throughout the school. 

Take full advantage of our location in Philadelphia, a vibrant art center, to explore museums and galleries, find internships, earn placements in competitive graduate programs, and launch creative practices. Upon graduation, you’ll join a large alumni community including some of the most influential artists, thought leaders and teachers of their time.

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 Program

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  

Painting majors take studio and seminar courses that allow you to explore and hone a variety of techniques while developing your own personal vision. Faculty members will present a range of skills and concepts essential to your artistic development. A few courses you can anticipate taking include the following. 

  • Advanced Painting
  • Art Seminar (Contemporary History and Theory 
  • Color 
  • Digital Drawing 
  • Figure Drawing 
  • Landscape 
  • Painting 

Learn more about the courses for the Painting Major.

Minors 

Painting majors can expand their knowledge by delving deeper into art history as well as other disciplines across the university or pursue teaching certification. 

Related Graduate Degrees  

Concentrations

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

  • 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 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 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting program, please contact the following faculty member.

Philip Glahn is the head of the painting program.
Phone: 215-777-9176 
Email:  

Students Clubs and 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