Develop your photography skills in one of the finest photography programs in the country.
Students in the BFA program in art with a concentration in photography are offered an education in the production and analysis of photographs as a form of creative expression. Students work in a wide range of photographic media, including state-of-the-art digital output, analog and 19th-century processes.
The internationally recognized photography faculty at ASU are diverse, representing and encouraging a wide range of approaches to the production of photo-based art. Students learn to be self-disciplined and self-directed, to understand complex ideas around how images function in their work, and to develop a strong sense of themselves and their place in the world.
Students declare their Bachelor of Fine Arts concentration at the time of their ASU admission. Following admission, if a student wishes to change their concentration, they may meet with their School of Art academic advisor.
At A Glance
Art (Photography), BFA
- Offered by: Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
- Location: Tempe
- Math Intensity: General
Required Courses
A major map outlines a major's critical requirements, courses, and optimal course sequence and aids students in remaining on track to graduation.
While circumstances vary between students and their paths towards graduation (utilizing placement testing to fulfill required math or foreign language courses, fulfilling multiple General Studies requirements with one course, etc.), completing the courses listed in a major map fulfills all of the requirements for graduation.
Application requirements
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements:
Affording college
Scholarships
Find and apply for relevant scholarships.
Financial Aid
ASU has many financial aid options. Almost everyone, regardless
of income, can qualify for some form of financial aid. In fact,
more than 70 percent of all ASU students receive some form of
financial assistance every year.
Admission requirements
There is no portfolio review process for admission to the School of Art. Usually in their second semester, after completing either ART 204 Photography II: Black & White or ART 205 Photography II: Color, photography majors submit a portfolio to continue in the degree program.
Career outlook
A degree in the arts offers students a pathway to a rich and varied choice of careers. Students with a photography degree may work as independent studio photographers or contract for commercial work for firms, museums, galleries, individuals and other artists. Though this is not a commercial degree program, some students apply their skills post-graduation by doing product photography, portraits or event photography. Students have also started their own successful art galleries.
Photo skills hone a particular sensitivity to issues of representation and a heightened sense of time, among many other life-enhancing attributes. These critical and creative sensitivities can be brought to bear in life after graduation whatever career path a student chooses. The bachelor's degree is essential for advanced study leading to the terminal MFA. This advanced degree offers opportunities in:
- curatorial work in galleries, museums and historical collections
- history or studio areas
- nonprofit arts organization management
- university teaching
Example careers
Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions. Career examples include but are not limited to:
| Career | *growth | *median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | 4.1% | $77,700 |
| Art Directors | -1.8% | $97,270 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 5.6% | $69,690 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | 12.3% | $47,920 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video and Film | 14% | $57,200 |
| Craft Artists | -1% | $35,180 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | 1% | $52,340 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 3.8% | $62,870 |
| Photographers | -3.6% | $41,280 |
| Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes | 11.8% | $75,420 |
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
- Bright Outlook
- Green Occupation