Art Degrees Online

Program Description

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 student¹s needs; strong education in relation to relevant theory; emphasis on the student¹s 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.

The graduate photography program at the Academy of Art University is fully accredited, and provides students with the option to complete their MFA degrees online. Our online classes are innovative, visual, flexible, interactive, and user-friendly. Developed by professionals in the photography industry, the online photography classes offer a rich media experience that includes: video demonstrations, video interviews, video lectures, audio critiques, visual commentary on art work, online discussions, one-on-one reviews, and interactive animated demonstrations.

Please contact Graduate Admissions for more information about our online MFA Photography program.

Required Courses

Click on the link below to see degree requirements. Each course listed carries 3 semester units of credit, unless otherwise noted.

This programme is aimed at those who wish to study in-depth the significance of photography in modern visual culture and to pursue a career as a specialist in photographic imagery and objects.

The primary focus of the course is the critical analysis of the ways in which the earliest photographic experiments through to the latest contemporary photographic images have established a significant presence in private collections, public museums, commercial galleries and publishing.

There is a varied programme of guest lectures by distinguished scholars and experts as well as study visits to museums, art fairs and collections in the UK and abroad.

Graduates go on to pursue a variety of careers, often within the photographic gallery and auction network or the contemporary art world.

SEMESTER 1
7th September – December, 2009
19th Century Photography
20th Century Photography
The Photography Industry and Network
Research Methodologies

SEMESTER 2
January – June, 2010
Contemporary Photography
Critical Approaches to Photography
Academic and Professional Practice including The Project (Curating an Exhibition/Publishing a Journal)
Options:
1. Global Photography Now
2. Duration & Contemporary Art
3. Graphic Design in the 20th Century
4. Art Business

SEMESTER 3
June – October, 2010
Dissertation (MA only). Students prepare a dissertation under the supervision of their tutor.

Media and Communication (Media Photography) Cert HE / Dip HE / BA (Hons)

This three-year course is designed for students who want to develop a career as a photographer or in the digital imaging industry.

You will begin by developing key skills in digital and chemical photography and explore how to produce photographs for publication. You will also develop visual literacy and skills in related software. All these skills will be put into practice in the live Production Event, where you will work to produce an exhibition of photos on a particular subject, or produce images to a brief from a magazine, PR campaign, or website.

As you progress through the course you will develop a portfolio in an area of your choice, such as documentary, portraiture, fashion photography, music photography or travel photography, as well as continuing to further experiment with camera technique, lighting and image manipulation. You will also explore the working practices of the freelance photographer as you work within the constraints of professional briefs.

Complementing your practical skills, you will develop a broad base of media theory and analysis skills, looking at the photography industry, image production, consumption, and the images themselves.

The Professional Studies strand of the course will build your contacts in the media, help you find placements in the industry, and improve your employability.
Will I do placements as part of the course?

You will undertake 2 industry placements during your course, at the end of the Year 1 and Year 2. Your tutors will work with you to find placements suited to your interests or specialist areas; the department’s close links with industry mean that students are able to find placements with the top media employers. These placements provide an invaluable insight into working in the media, as well as contributing to your CV and improving your employability.
Entry Requirements

Academic qualifications (shown below) are only part of what we look for in an applicant. You will also need to demonstrate an interest in and knowledge of the public relations industry and ideally some media-related work experience.