Photography, BFA

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography

More on the Photography major

The Photography program offers in-depth black-and-white and color photography training, integrating film and digital technologies to support career-driven, creative professional practices. The program emphasizes technical mastery and conceptual development and provides a strong foundation in historical and contemporary issues. It is designed to prepare students for creative and entrepreneurial careers. It fosters a comprehensive, lens-based education while balancing fine art exploration with practical, employable image-making skills. Students gain tools, equipment, and software expertise while engaging in research and creative problem-solving to refine their visual communication skills. The program encourages the development of personal, artistic work and critical dialogue within an evolving multicultural landscape, recognizing visual art as a powerful mode of communication in today’s image-driven world.

Purpose

The photography area has a primary aim to provide a high quality professional undergraduate education in fine art photography. The program’s curriculum centers on mastery in film and digital technologies as well as strong conceptual development towards a final portfolio and exhibition. The photography area also serves many art and non-art students who take photography classes as electives.

Goals

• Education of the student in the field of fine art photography.
• Understanding of historical and conceptual developments in the field.
• Understanding of the tools, materials, and processes used in the field today.
• Development of the students’ career as a professional artist working in the gallery/museum world.
• Personal development for the student, to increase self-awareness and to provide a means for self-expression.

Distinctions

Students are presented with a broad range of facilities and opportunities while pursuing their BFA in Photography such as:

• Competitive scholarships available for partial tuition, fees, tools, research, materials, and travel
• Travel to the Society for Photographic Education’s Regional and National Conferences
• Afterhours access to darkrooms, lighting, and digital labs. 
• Exhibit on campus, locally, and regionally.
• Gain hands-on experience with visiting artists in residence programs. 
• Participate in activities led by the campus student organization, Folk Photography Association. 

The following information has official approval of The Mary Schiller Myers School of Art and The Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences, but is intended only as a supplemental guide. Official degree requirements are established at the time of transfer and admission to the degree-granting college. Students should refer to the Degree Progress Report (Stellic) which is definitive for graduation requirements. Completion of this degree within the identified time frame below is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others. The transfer process is completed through an appointment with your academic advisor.

Students are encouraged to visit the The Mary Schiller Myers School of Art their freshman year to obtain preliminary information regarding the program requirements and to learn more about on-campus opportunities available to students.

Three year accelerated option: for first time students who have earned credits for at least the first year of courses. Credits can be earned through qualifying scores on appropriate Advanced Placement (AP) exams or through College Credit Plus Program (CCP) courses. Credits for qualifying AP scores or CCP courses are determined by the appropriate academic department. Departments may assign varied course credit, depending on the student’s score on an AP exam or grade in a CCP course. Students may also receive credit by examination or via placement tests, where appropriate.

Requirements

Summary

Art History Requirements

Advanced Art History Requirements

Foundation Core

Photography Requirements

¹

It is strongly recommended that students do not enroll in ART 273 and ART 275 in the same semester. 

²

May be repeated up to four times (12 credit hours).

³

ART 276 is repeatable two times, totaling six credit hours. 

Printmaking Requirements

 Studio Electives

Recommended Sequence