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Fibers and Material Studies MFA

Master of Fine Arts in Fibers and Material Studies

Cultivate a rigorous studio practice with theMaster of Fine Arts in Fibers and Material Studies in the at 51. Thisinterdisciplinary two-year, 60-credit graduate program attracts students who interrogate materiality through a historic, socialand political lens and define their work with fibers and materials broadly, often experimenting with sound, installation and performance.

With guidance from an , Fibers and Material Studies Master of Fine Arts students work independently to augment a practice grounded in conceptual awareness of key discourseswithin the critical study of fibers and material. Discourses include

  • cultural appropriation,
  • DIY and sustainability,
  • economy,
  • feminism,
  • globalization,
  • labor,
  • race,
  • Queer studiesand
  • the historic role of women and people of color in textile production.

Explore your chosen discipline while broadly investigating a diversity ofart-making practices. Spend extensive studio time in your core area of practiceand engage with colleagues inweekly critiques and critical discourse within a boundary-pushing community that values a robust exchange of ideas.The Fibers and Material Studies MFAcurriculum emphasizes mentorship, interdisciplinarity, inquiry and research to enrich practices and create theoretical, philosophical and concrete links between art and society.

Select a committee of advisors from disciplines across the university, working with them one on one to receive critical feedback. Students take art history classes and seminars that engage emerging topics in the field, the broader art world, and social and political inquiry.

Students can apply for teaching assistantships and participate in our artist-in-residence program. Under the mentorship of engaged faculty and visiting artists on the cutting-edge of creative practice and critical inquiry, students find a compassionate, inclusive environment primed for experimentation, interdisciplinary collaborationand independent study.

Many Tyler MFA students choose to pursue summer study abroad opportunities at , a home base for immersive artistic, academicand cultural exploration for Tyler students since 1966.

A person with glasses stands next to a sewing machine with a backwards neon sign behind them.

Natural Dye Garden &Queer Materials Lab

Fibers & Material Studies Master of Fine Arts students 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 —renowned for their manipulation and transformation of materials—the opens up opportunities for students to work with visiting artists and join a broader LGBTQIA+ discourse.

Program Format & Curriculum

With core courses aligned over two weekdays, students 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 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.

The Fibers & Material Studies MFA curriculum deeply considersthe historic and political lineage of materials and how it influences both the creators and their creative output. Students explore issues around BIPOC and Queer identity, power, sustainability and more. Art history classes, electives and seminars engage them in emerging topics in the field and the broader art world. Influential visiting artists and programs are matched to each cohort to accelerate their growth. 

Examples ofthe Master of Fine Arts in Fibers & Material Studiescoursework include the following classes.

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

Learn more about the coursework for the Fibers & Material Studies MFA.

Related Graduate Degrees

Related Graduate Certificates

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with 51’s commitment to access and affordability, this Master of Fine Arts offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

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 2025–2026 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,361.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,810.00 per credit

You can view the full .

Our Advisors

Tyler's 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 yourprogram, and ensure you are on a clearpath.

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 . General questions can be submitted to the team's 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

Jesse Harrod is the assistant professor and program head for Fibers andMaterial Studies.
Email:

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.

  • 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.
  • is an independent, nonprofit, student-run organization. AIAS provides unmatched programs, information and resources on issues critical to architectural education.
  • 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.
  • at 51’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 ,and Venice are offered throughout the year.

For a half-century, 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.

51 Japan offers a . 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.

  • (Master of Architecture)
  • (Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture)
  • (Master of Science in City and Regional Planning)
  • (Bachelor of Science in Facilities Management)

Additional Program Information