The Photography Department supports a wide range of serious photographic genres. Central to the Photography Department’s curricular structure is the idea that all undergraduate students in photography will receive a core foundation, which encompasses a broad range of photographic practices. A candidacy review will determine the necessity of pursuing a BFA to achieve the student’s ambitions and goals and help guide their further commitment to a particular area of interest.

Upon successful completion of this BFA program, students should:

• demonstrate the ability to produce photographic work consistent with high professional standards;
• demonstrate an applied understanding of the visual grammar of photography and the ability to incorporate technical, formal and conceptual competencies in their creative work;
• be able to articulate in verbal and written form the key technical, formal and conceptual issues in their creative work and the work of others;
• be able to identify an area of personal interest and pursue self-directed projects that culminate in a cohesive body of work;
• demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the history of photography and contemporary photographic practice and be able to relate their work to this history and practice;
• develop professional skills and practices appropriate to their area of interest; and
• in a capstone experience, students will produce a substantial body of photographic work that elaborates a particular theme, idea, or professional area of practice.

A note about the BA/BFA distinction:

The distinction between the BA and the BFA is not merely one of credit hours, but also of curricular intent. The BFA is a professional degree that focuses on intensive work in photography while being supported by a program of general studies at the college level. It is further distinguished by a candidacy procedure whereby students must apply into the BFA after 60 credits of coursework (college-wide) and minimum GPA of 3.0. The candidacy application consists of a portfolio review and assessment. Upon acceptance, students must complete all the required credits for the BA plus an additional 42 credits of advanced photographic study. Students in the BFA are required to complete a senior thesis composed of a substantial body of photographic work that elaborates a particular theme, idea, or professional area of practice.

Program Requirements  

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