Photography, BFA

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography (C10103BFA)

More on the Photography major

The Photography program provides in-depth experience in black and white and color fine art photography utilizing film and digital technologies as well as commercial photography and alternative approaches to the medium. Technical mastery and advanced conceptual thinking are emphasized, along with a solid grounding in historical and contemporary issues.

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 (DPR) 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

General Education Requirements36
Art History Requirements15
Foundation Core12
Photography Requirements33
Printmaking Requirements0-3
Studio Electives18
Additional Credits for Graduation *6-3
Total Hours120
*

Bachelor's degrees require a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation. 

Note: A 2.5 cumulative GPA in all ART courses is required for graduation.

Recommended General Education Courses

Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must complete the following General Education coursework. Diversity courses may also fulfill major or Breadth of Knowledge requirements. Integrated and Applied Learning courses may also fulfill requirements in the major.
Students are not required to enroll in the specific courses listed below. However, to facilitate successful degree completion, the academic department strongly encourages completion of the following recommendations.
Academic Foundations12
Mathematics, Statistics and Logic: 3 credit hours
Speaking: 3 credit hours
Writing: 6 credit hours
Breadth of Knowledge 22
Arts/Humanities: 9 credit hours
Survey of Global Art 1: Prehistory to 1250 CE
History of Global Art 2: 1250 CE - 1850 CE
Natural Sciences: 7 credit hours
Social Sciences: 6 credit hours
Diversity
Domestic Diversity
Global Diversity
Survey of Global Art 1: Prehistory to 1250 CE
Integrated and Applied Learning2
Select one class from one of the following subcategories:
Complex Issues Facing Society
Capstone
Review the General Education Requirements page for detailed course listings.
Total Hours36

College of Arts & Sciences Requirement

Students must also complete a minimum of 40 credits (excluding workshops) consisting of either:
Upper-level (300/400) courses both in and outside of the student’s major;
or other courses outside the major department approved by the student’s major department chair (permission should be obtained prior to enrollment); these may not include workshops

Art History Requirements

ART:101Survey of Global Art 1: Prehistory to 1250 CE3
ART:102History of Global Art 2: 1250 CE - 1850 CE3
ART:103History of Global Art 3: 1850 CE - Today3
ART:370History of Photography3
ART XXX Advanced Art History Elective3
Total Hours15

Foundation Core

ART:100Arts Orientation0
ART:131Foundation Drawing I3
ART:144Foundation 2D Design3
ART:145Foundation 3D Design3
ART:250Foundation Lecture1
ART:252Foundation Studio2
Total Hours12

Photography Requirements

ART:275Introduction to Photography3
ART:276Introduction to Commercial Photography3
ART:318Portrait Lighting3
ART:320Product Photography3
ART:375Photography II3
ART:377Medium and Large Format Photography3
ART:473Photography III: Color3
ART:475Advanced Photography 19
ART:476Photography Portfolio Review0
ART:479Professional Photographic Practices3
ART:495Senior Exhibition0
Total Hours33

Printmaking Requirements

Complete one course:0-3
Introduction to Printmaking
Relief/Screenprint
Intaglio/Lithography
Print Matrix
Printmaking Review
Multiples and Multiplicity
Total Hours0-3

 Studio Electives

Complete 18 credits:18
ART xxx
Total Hours18