Art Degrees Online

The Bachelor of Art degree is less comprehensive then the B.F.A but still contains the essential core photography courses in both studio and history. This degree permits students with strong interest in other subject areas to pursue multiple minors without extending their four year college residency. Upon completion of the B.A. degree students will posses a basic vocabulary and technical proficiency in using both analog and digital technologies. This degree includes the study of a variety of processes and genres of photography. Students receiving this degree will be conversant in the history photography, its major artists and movements and contemporary issues and ethics.

Both Photography degree paradigms share the same basic courses in studio and history. The liberal arts core remains the same as well. The B.F.A degree requires application for admittance at the end of your sophomore year. By working closely with your advisor your freshman and sophomore years you can make an informed decision in on which degree path is the best fit for you to pursue.

Photography courses present a full range of conceptual, critical, and technical approaches to contemporary photographic practice while supporting your individual interests and methodology.

The Photography area has a visiting artist program, which brings renowned artists to campus for lectures, interactive sessions with students, slide lectures, and workshops.

Our comprehensive facilities include beginning and advanced black-and-white darkrooms, color darkrooms, digital photography, alternative processes (nonsilver), and many types and formats of cameras and lighting. For a complete list of equipment and facilities, see Media Stockroom.

Previous Course Offerings
Below are previous course offerings for the Photography area. Students must visit mySMFA to see current offerings and register.

Students in the undergraduate, graduate, Studio, and Post-Baccalaureate certificate programs may also take Continuing Education courses for credit.

The Digital Photography program teaches you composition, lighting, and equipment use, utilizing a digital camera and software. Darkroom techniques, color, and design are explored both on location and in a studio. You’ll develop business skills as you fine-tune your eye for detail. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as a digital photographer, industrial photographer, photo lab technician, or photojournalist.
Digital Photography Courses & Programs – The Art Institutes programs are offered at the following Art Institute locations:
California
The Art Institute of California — Hollywood (Los Angeles)
The Art Institute of California — Orange County (Santa Ana)
Florida
The Art Institute of Tampa (Tampa)
Illinois
The Illinois Institute of Art — Chicago (Chicago)
The Illinois Institute of Art — Schaumburg (Schaumburg)
Indiana
The Art Institute of Indianapolis (Indianapolis)
Nevada
The Art Institute of Las Vegas (Las Vegas)
Utah
The Art Institute of Salt Lake City (Salt Lake City)

The graduate program in Photography imparts a high level of digital and traditional photography skill, graduate quality theory, and substantially educates and supports students in their investigation of the applied and fine arts specializations. This is accomplished through the mastery of specific skills according to the student’s needs; strong education in relation to relevant theory; emphasis on the student’s personal vision; a professional faculty that provides depth as well as breadth of experience; and facilities that provide a professional context for study. Students have the opportunity to concentrate in the area of photography of specific interest to them while becoming aware of core principles related to photography as a medium.

The philosophy of the Department is to support graduate students in becoming leaders rather than followers in their area of specialization. Photography courses include a mix of studio courses, individual advisement and seminars. Strong conceptual and technical knowledge is the underpinning of the curriculum with a powerful and cohesive final Thesis Project being the tangible result.
MFA Program Learning Outcomes
School of Photography

MFA Graduates of the School of Photography will meet the following student performance criteria:

Conceptual and Analytic Skills
Make creative decisions that optimize conceptual impact, cohesiveness, and memorability of created images.
Integrate key conceptual elements (such as mood, narrative, and introducing the unexpected) with technical elements (such as composition, lighting, and point of view) to suggest a story and elicit an emotional response from the viewer.
Understand and create visual metaphors and symbols.
Demonstrate familiarity with various conceptual approaches to photography.
Critically assess the differences between straight and conceptual photography.
Competently critique photographs both verbally and in writing, including understanding technical, aesthetic and historical context.

Professional Readiness
Present and promote their portfolio to acquire jobs within the industry.
Solve creative and technical problems.
Set priorities and meet deadlines. Show accountability and attention to detail.
Understand project parameters and client expectations.
Understand photographic terminology.
Demonstrate sensitivity to styles and directions in their field.
Facility with relevant technology and software.
Understand industry business practices, including copyright law, as it relates to running and maintaining a successful business.
Ability to accurately communicate ideas, thoughts and proposals to potential clients.

Lighting and Camera Capture Skills
Select effective lighting techniques and equipment for portraiture and still life and fine art.
Use point source, flood, spot, diffused and reflected light.
Recognize the signature effects of each type of lighting.
Use metering and exposure calculation, and have a full knowledge of 35mm and medium format cameras.
Master indoor and outdoor ambient lighting, strobe-hand held flash, lighting with constant light sources, day light VS. tungsten chrome, mixed lighting with constant light sources.
Understand the relationship between time of day/type of light.

Depending on the area of specialization, students will also demonstrate the ability to:

Traditional
Understand the properties and uses of different film types.
Understand of principles of film contrast control (zone system).
Perform advanced exposure calculations.
Effectively use a light meter.
Design lighting concepts and effectively use filters for print shooting.
Effectively develop film.
Exercise a clear knowledge of testing all formats of film.

Digital
Apply advanced Photoshop photography techniques, tool sets, layers, curves, and selections to digital media.
Scan film and prints using advanced techniques.
Navigate the Macintosh operating system including networking and digital file organization.
Successfully download files and manage digital data.
Select film and digital media based on archival qualities and understanding of ink and paper stability.
Correctly expose color transparency film and capture digital files correctly.
Recognize different types of light sources, their features and their color temperatures.
Control and manipulate color temperature.
Familiarity with optical color wheel.
Retouch images using color and tonal correction tools.
Understand color management and device profiles including color space and gamut.
Understand and develop a personal workflow system.
Understand file capture size and resolution as it pertains to final output requirements.

Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:
Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.

Requirements – Bachelor of Arts Degree
Units Required for the Major: 48 units
Minimum total units required for the BA: 120
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.
A. Required Lower Division Core Courses (15 units)
(3)
ART 1B
Art in the Western World: From Renaissance to Present

(3)
GPHD 10
Introduction to Digital Design

(3)
INTD 20
Design
(3) PHOT 11 Digital Imaging

(3)
PHOT 40
Basic Techniques of Photography

B. Required Upper Division Core Courses(24 units)
(3)
ART 101
Art Photography

(3)
ART 161
Photography in the Field (PHOT 40 or equivalent)

(3)
ART 162
Alternative Photographic Processes (PHOT 141 or other basic photography)
(3) PHOT 102 Photography, a Social History

(3)
PHOT 111
Intermediate Digital Imaging (PHOT 11 or equivalent or instructor permission)

(3)
PHOT 141
Intermediate Photography, Black and White (PHOT 40)

(3)
PHOT 148
Artificial Light Photography (PHOT 141, PHOT 138, or PHOT 143A)
(3) PHOT 150 Senior Portfolio (senior status, PHOT 11, PHOT 138, PHOT 143A, PHOT 148)

C. Studies in Photography Electives (9 units) ART 108 19th Century Art
ART 109 Modern Art (Upper-division standing and ART 1B or equivalent with instructor approval)

ART 169
Photography Studio (Instructor permission and Department Chair via signed petition form)

ART 163
Pinhole Photography (PHOT 40 or equivalent)

COMS 164
Visual Communication (COMS 100A and COMS 100B or equivalent with a grade of C- or better)

HRS 180
The Film

JOUR 197A
Journalism Laboratory (JOUR 30)

MKTG 101
Principles of Marketing

PHOT 135
Introduction to Photojournalism (PHOT 40 or equivalent)
PHOT 138 Color Photography A (PHOT 11 or equivalent)

PHOT 143A
Intermediate Photography, Color (PHOT 40)

PHOT 155
Advanced Photography (PHOT 141)

PHOT 160
Documentary Photography (PHOT 141)

PHOT 195
Internship in Photography (A minimum of two upper division photography courses)

PHOT 199
Special Problems

Program Requirements

Intellectual Foundations Requirements: 39–66 cr

Total Required Credit Hours in Fine Arts: 78 cr

A. Required Courses (42 cr)

DES 101 Two-Dimensional Design
FAR 101 Drawing I
FAR 102 Drawing II
FAR 103 Modeling
FAR 210 Introductory Painting
FAR 220 Introductory Photography
FAR 230 Introductory Printmaking
FAR 240 Introductory Sculpture
FAR 250 Art History I
FAR 251 Art History II
FAR 363 Twentieth-Century Art
FAR 470 Senior Seminar in Fine Arts
Two art history electives.

B. Photography Courses (21 cr)

FAR 321 Intermediate Photography I
FAR 322 Intermediate Photography II
FAR 323 Advanced Photography (three courses) (9)
FAR 420 Senior Studio in Photography (6)

C. Art Electives (15 cr)

All College Electives: 0–3 cr

Total Required Credit Hours: 120–144 cr

This course has a distinguished history and offers you the opportunity to study photographic practice, theory and history in the broadest possible context. We have a strong teaching team of professional photographers and artists and our students graduate with a high level of professional and practical knowledge, as well as an understanding of photographic culture and history.

This course focuses on contemporary photographic art practice. Studying photography within a fine art context prepares our students for all types of future employment within the field of photography, both art-based and commercial practice.

The four year course includes a preparatory year (year 0) which enables you to gain and develop a range of skills in moving/still image and audio production and editing. The initial year also offers supports seminars, tutorials, specialist technical workshops and group critiques to help you to adapt to the student centred learning of degree level study. Once you have successfully completed this preparatory year you progress directly, without further interview or application onto the BA (Hons) Photography courses at UCA Farnham. You also have the option of progressing onto other courses in media and communications.

or the Degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography

The curriculum in photography requires 122 credit hours; its purpose is to encourage the study of photographic media for personal expression, to explore the social implications of pictures, and to develop the skills needed for careers in photography. General art requirements and electives provide a broad foundation in the visual arts, and photography courses provide a strong background in the history, theory, and practice of photography as art.

Contact: Mark Avery
Specialist in Undergraduate Academic Affairs
School Office: 140 Art and Design Building, Champaign, 333-6632, mavery@illinois.edu

Students in the School of Art and Design must complete the Campus General Education requirements. Some Art and Design courses will also apply toward the General Education requirements. Hours Art History
8 Any two of: ARTH 111, 112, 113, 114, or 115 (all meet a general education requirement; credit will not be given for both ARTH 112 and 115)
6 Advanced art history (200-level or above)
14 Total

Hours Art Foundation
2 ARTF 101 – Contemporary Issues in Art
6 ARTF 102 and 104 – Drawing, I and II
6 ARTF 103 and 105 – Design, I and II Workshops
14 Total

Hours Photography Requirements
3 ARTS 260 – Basic Photography
3 ARTS 261 – Photography, II
3 ARTS 360 – Photography, III
6 ARTS 460 – Advanced Photography
3 ARTS 393 – Contemporary Art and Ideas
3 ARTH 257 – History of Photography
21 Total

Hours Photography Electives
15 Select from:
1-4 ARTS 391 – Independent Study
3 ARTS 361 – Alternative Processes
3 ARTS 341 – Image Practice
3 ARTS 262 – View Camera and Studio
3 ARTS 263 – Color Photography
3-9 ARTS 362 – Photography Workshop
15 Total

Hours Electives
18 Art + Design electives (art + design courses not in photography requirements or used as photography electives)
Open electives as needed to total 122 hour degree

Due to the demanding nature of the laboratory photography courses, it may be inadvisable for students to take more than two laboratory courses in the same semester.

Photography majors usually own or have access to a manually adjustable 35mm single-lens reflex camera and hand-held light meter. Most students will want cameras equipped with normal, wide-angle, and telephoto lens by the time they enroll in Pho 112. Students must supply their own film, photographic paper, and other materials. With the accelerating move towards digital photography in the profession, it is increasingly advisable that Photography students own a good quality digital camera. Students are advised to ask the Photography faculty for guidance in selecting any digital equipment. The University has well-equipped darkrooms and studios and provides a limited amount of other equipment for use by students.

Transfer of credit for Photography courses taken at other institutions may be granted by the University as credit for semester hours; however, transfer students wishing to register for Photography courses more advanced than Pho 111 must consult with the Photography faculty unless transferring from an approved two-plus-two program. Permission to enroll in courses more advanced than Pho 111 will be granted only upon the evaluation of a portfolio of the student’s photographs by one or more members of the photography faculty. This evaluation must take place prior to or during the registration period for the student’s first semester at A&M-Commerce. Substitutions for course requirements may be made only with the approval of the department head. Majors must earn a grade of “C” or better in all Photography courses counted towards degree requirements.

About the course
The Professional Certificate in Photography builds upon our fantastic reputation and the success of our existing undergraduate and postgraduate photography courses, which have a very high national and international profile.

The knowledge, understanding and skills you will acquire on this course relate directly to professional and work-based practice. You will also develop your photographic skills and expand your critical understanding and knowledge of the contextual aspects of photography.

Students will enter the course with basic digital photographic skills and then study modules designed to help them develop these basic skills to a higher professional level. At the same time they will be challenged to expand their photographic vocabulary.

Benefits
The main focus of this course is not just the expansion of technical skills, it also pays attention to the need to nurture creative and artistic sensitivities, leading students to become stronger image makers.

It is aimed at the practising professional or advanced amateur photographer, and at building and expanding their existing photographic practice and knowledge.

Students will refine established, new, critical and practical skills to develop a well-rounded reflective practitioner approach.

A professional certificate will enable you to:
Experience new and old technologies.
Develop specialist skills.
Critically evaluate historic and aesthetic traditions in light of your own work.
Expand your understanding of professional photographic practice and digital workflow systems.
Produce images that provide imaginative solutions to identifiable needs.

How do you study?
The Professional Certificate in Photography is structured around three, ten credit modules per year, each lasting for a ten week term.

Evening classes allow study to take place in a more flexible manner and can be worked around students’ current work schedules

The curriculum has been designed to teach practicing photographers higher level digital and photographic skills while at the same time encouraging them to fully explore and experiment with the medium, in order to expand their picture making skills.

Each year begins with a module that introduces advanced technical skills. Subsequent modules build on this and broaden learning into other aspects of professional practice.

Year one
Year one will investigate the contemporary stock photography market, encouraging students to evaluate the market potential of their own work and introducing industry-standard digital workflow tools such as Aperture.

Students will explore photography in a more considered way in the studio with associated light and cameras, using both high and low technology.

Within the traditional darkroom, students will learn how to process and print black and white images and work towards making fine prints. There will also be critical analysis of various photographic traditions.

Year two
During the second year students will apply the traditional and digital skills developed in the first year to the production of fine digital prints. They will also explore aspects of the marketing and selling of their work.

Students will also consider different types of genre in photography and start considering the future direction of their practice.

By the final module, there is an emphasis on portfolio enhancement and career development or progression to further study, possibly at postgraduate level. By this stage of the course, the focus is on the development of individual creativity and the identification of future options.

Special features
full access to the School’s photographic equipment stores and laboratories
technical support staff available until 8 pm, Monday to Thursday
latest generation macintosh computer suite (60 workstations)
black-and-white darkrooms
photographic studios (3)
specialist in-house printing bureau
additional library and learning resources
specialist art and design shop
café and social spaces

Selection process
The selection process includes either the submission of a creative portfolio of photographic work or an interview with staff.

The Professional Certificate programme has been developed to provide widening participation entry routes to the School’s postgraduate degrees, particularly for adult learners studying for continuing professional development purposes or taking degrees in a different specialism.

Entry requirements
Entrants will preferably be working with photography, either as professionals, or as skilled amateurs with professional aspirations.

All candidates must demonstrate that they can work to level 3 degree standard, via either a Foundation degree or a Diploma in Higher Education.

The Professional Certificate programme has been developed to provide widening participation entry routes to the School’s postgraduate degrees, particularly for adult learners studying for continuing professional development purposes or taking degrees in a different specialism.

International students who do not speak English as their first language will need an IELTS score of 6, or TOEFL score of 207 (computer based) or 540 (paper based) to be eligible.