Art Degrees Online

Photographic Imaging — Bachelor of Fine Arts

Successful photographic professionals possess an understanding of composition as well as a wide array of technical skills — from choosing the right equipment to perfecting techniques while capturing visually compelling images.

In our photography program, you’ll learn the basics of color, design, visual expression, various camera techniques and applications, digital imaging, and business practices. You’ll strive to develop a solid photographic identity, purpose, and direction.

Program graudates are prepared to seek entry-level positions such as newspaper photojournalist, studio manager, commercial photographer, editorial photographer, and photo graphic editor with advertising agencies, publishing houses, magazines, and production companies.

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication (BFA) with a concentration in Photography

The life of a photographer can be as varied as the subjects they capture. But all successful professional photographers share certain traits: they must posses both a keen eye and technical expertise. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the most successful photographers are those with business savvy, creativity, and an ability to take advantage of emerging technologies. Real-world experience and a relevant Bachelor’s degree are two key qualifications for those beginning a career in the field.

AIU offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication with a concentration in Photography that can help prepare students to become creative and technically proficient professional photographers. This degree program integrates theory, practice, and team-oriented learning to help students develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the field.

The BFA in Photography & Digital Arts prepares students to pursue a variety of career paths in the fields of photography and time- and web-based media, giving them the flexibility to enter many industries, both existing and evolving, that are based in information technology and new digital media.

The Photography & Digital Arts major is a distinctive course of study designed to foster artists who work across multiple disciplines including traditional darkroom photography, digital photography, HD digital video, web/interactive media and 2D/3D animation. Opportunities to learn using both sequential and non-linear narrative strategies in interactive and hierarchical environments allow students to produce work that is critically engaged with the combined phenomena of digital technologies and the photographic image in today’s visual culture.

Intensive studio work allows students to develop a solid foundation of the concepts, tools and techniques associated with photographic, digital and emerging media. Seminars covering the history, theory and criticism of photography and digital arts informs students’ principles and practices. The balance of practice and aesthetic consideration encourages students to combine and even challenge the boundaries of photographic and digital technologies. Through classroom instruction and a required internship, students master the essential conceptual, technical and production skills, that are central to an artist’s ability to create meaningful work that reflects and responds to contemporary life.

Technical expertise in photography is only one aspect of this emphasis.

Students also must learn to use their technical expertise for creative expression. They are expected to explore the relationship between meaningful content and technical competence in their work.

Alternatives to standard photographic procedures such as image transfers, photo-enhanced bookmaking, digital manipulation and non-silver processes are encouraged. Photography study trip destinations have included Rhode Island, Yellowstone National Park, New Mexico and Ireland.

Students pursuing a B.F.A. with an emphasis in Photography are required to complete 15 credit hours in art history, 64 credit hours in studio courses and three credit hours writing a B.F.A thesis.

Advanced standing in the B.F.A. program normally is granted after a student submits an application and has his/her work reviewed by the faculty. This process takes places one year prior to graduation.

If you plan on majoring in art, dance, music, or theatre, you must complete a portfolio review or audition as part of your application to Webster.

Love art so much you want to share it? Then teach it! As an Art Ed major, you’ll learn about designing drawing, sculpting, painting, photography, printmaking, metalworking, and more. You’ll learn about the history of art. You explore how children learn and how art expands a young person’s world. And your BFA in Art Education means you’re certified to teach K–12 art.

Make a living AND make a difference.

Art education is one of the most important professions in all the arts. Art educators uncover and unfold the potential of future artists, designers, and architects. They train the public about art. They build an audience and an appreciation for art by teaching people how to see it and understand it and enjoy it.
Working artists

Students in our BFA in Art Education go on to become art teachers, art therapists, art historians, community art directors, museum education directors, art administrators, art archivists, gallery owners, and art professors.
Art Education program faculty
Cindy Todd Assistant Professor, Program Chair
Donna St. John Assistant Professor

Interior Design

Interior designers shape human experience and enhance quality of life by creating environments that are sustainable, meaningful, innovative, and functional.

RMCAD’s interior design graduates create spaces that are as aesthetically pleasing as they are healthy and resource efficient.

The BFA in interior design is a first-professional degree that provides students with the educational qualifications to enter the design profession and gain the necessary experience to successfully complete the NCIDQ examination. www.ncidq.org

Interior design is both an art and a science. At RMCAD, we approach it as an extension of the arts while being grounded in the social and natural sciences of psychology, sociology, anthropology, ecology, and biology.

When you graduate from our program, you will be prepared to work as skilled, ethical, environmentally responsible professional designers committed to improving the health, safety and welfare of the public while embracing your own vision and creativity.

“The Interior Design faculty at RMCAD is truly special. Known on a first name basis, there have been numerous times when I have seen them give up their weekends to help us with projects, personally recognize students for great work, or just be a friend when you need someone to talk to, and even host brunch for a meeting.”
–Anna Alcorn, ID student

You will learn the theories and skills necessary for professional practice from faculty who are practicing design professionals and educators. Our program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and is rigorous yet highly rewarding. www.accredit-id.org

See our Accreditation Page for more information.
Green Design Area of Emphasis

RMCAD offers a unique program of study through our Green Design Area of Emphasis. The Green Design Area of Emphasis provides an in-depth exploration of the methods, processes and principles of green design and sustainability. www.rmcad.edu/interior-design/green-design

“I had no idea what Green design was before coming to this school, and now it is a huge passion for me and was my area of emphasis.”
–Bethany Strothman, recent graduate

For information and discussions on green design and sustainability, please visit our green design blog, Thoughts on Sustainability >>

Animators are the artists who bring entertainment to life. They draw by hand and use computers to create the pictures that form the animated images or special effects seen in movies, television programs, and computer games. Others draw storyboards for television commercials, movies, and animated features.

AIU offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication with a concentration in Animation that can help prepare students to become creative and technically proficient animators. This degree program integrates theory, practice, and team-oriented learning to help students develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in this creative field.

The Visual Communication program at AIU is designed to educate and develop artistic and imaginative students for careers in the fields of commercial art and design. The program emphasizes the development of the thinking process and the ability to solve design problems creatively. Students can learn the principles, practical applications, technologies, and methodologies used in solving complex design problems in a creative and unique manner.

The objective of the School of Photography is to develop technically and aesthetically sound photographers, capable of successfully entering and competing in the open marketplace upon graduation. Students complete a series of classes conducted by working professionals, who guide each student to find his or her “style” both by content and approach. Armed with technical skills plus design and concept knowledge, the student develops a cohesive portfolio that has their personal signature in every image.

Potential Careers: Fashion Photography, Advertising Photography, Editorial Photography, Photo Technician, Fine Art Photography, Documentary/Photo Journalism and Portrait Photography.

Submit approximately 20 images representative of your most recent work. When relevant or necessary, submit videotapes, DVDs, texts, audio CDs, etc. Do not send original work. The faculty is interested in what motivates or inspires each individual applicant, and looks for evidence of this in both the portfolio and the artist statement.

BFA applicants

Submit examples of personal work, not class assignments. We want to know what your interests are and how you represent them in your practice.

MFA applicants

Applicants who have passed the preliminary selection process will be notified by mail in mid-February. At this time, candidates will be invited to visit CalArts in March for an interview and to meet faculty and students. The interview is an all-day event and an important component of the final selection process.

What makes Film/Digital Video at UArts special?
As a student in our program, you will learn the essentials of all phases of film and digital video production, including:
• Cinematography
• Editing
• Sound production
• Scriptwriting
• Image manipulation

You will also gain a strong background in criticism, theory, and the history of film and video. As a Film/Digital Video major you will have the advantage of small classes and the personal attention of dedicated faculty.

What courses will I take?
The Film/Digital Video degree program provides professional production and post-production courses in:
• Cinematography
• Sound recording
• Lighting
• Film and digital video editing
• Film criticism, history, and theory What kinds of projects will I work on?
Projects range from experimental films to personal documentaries to short narratives.

How will I be prepared for a career on Film and Digital Video?
Through our internship program, you will gain real world experience in professional practice.