Art (Photography), BFA
You approach art as an engine for producing meaning, reflection and critical thought. Through experimentation with images, materials and ideas, you can engage photography as a tool for cultural inquiry, world-building and creative speculation.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
Any math course that meets the MATH designation.
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Art (Photography) degree description
In the Bachelor of Fine Arts program in art with a concentration in photography, you gain a foundation of skills and knowledge that draws connections between traditional methods and emerging art practices. As a photography student, you develop the ability to think critically and communicate through your art. You learn a wide variety of approaches to advancing ideas and discourses, including alternative processes, documentary, landscape and portraiture.
The curriculum emphasizes conceptual and material knowledge, interdisciplinary research and professional mentorship. Distinguished faculty provide expertise across an array of distinct areas within the field of contemporary art, including experimental, durational, immersive and context-specific art. Capstone research courses guide you through the process of developing a portfolio of completed works, and you gain practical experience presenting art in many professional contexts.
In addition to classroom learning, the program is enriched by arts organizations and cultural institutions, which provide you with the opportunity to build your professional network through fellowships, internships and residencies. The program is further augmented by public events supported by the ASU Art Museum, the Ceramics Research Center and Archive, Pyracantha Press and the School of Art galleries, including the Northlight Gallery, a collecting institution with significant historical holdings. Northlight serves as a laboratory for you to study and respond to its collection, learn exhibition strategies and exhibit your work.
You should visit the photography areas of study page to learn more about the program. To engage the school's creative community, you can subscribe to the School of Art newsletters and follow the school on social media.
Why specialize in photography at ASU?
Ranked No. 6 in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report, the photography concentration stands out for the breadth of its facilities and the caliber of its nationally recognized faculty. Faculty and students are deeply embedded in the Southwest's photographic arts community. You can participate in Phoenix's nonprofit and cooperative gallery scene, a grassroots urban revitalization hub, and connect with major photography markets in Los Angeles, Santa Fe and Denver. These relationships extend your education beyond campus and into professional networks.
The curriculum grounds technical skill in contemporary critical discourse. You address landscape, still life, photobooks, digital compositing, experimental film, material studies, ecology and piracy. You work with silver gelatin, digital imaging, video, alternative and historic processes, mixed media and the latest digital printing tools. Capstone research courses guide you through developing a cohesive body of work, and you graduate with a gallery exhibition and a professional digital portfolio that reflects your distinctive perspective.
Additional details
You have access to the Devil's Aperture, a photography club that brings the community together through member-based events and meetings on the Tempe campus. All skill levels are welcome.
You also have access arts organizations and cultural institutions that provide opportunities to build your professional network through fellowships, internships and residencies.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| ARS 201 Art of Asia |
| ARA 396 Professional Practices for Design and the Arts |
| ARA 240 Encounters with Contemporary Art |
| ART 111 Foundation Drawing |
| ART 116 Introduction to Digital Media |
| ART 121 Introduction to Photography I |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Create artwork for exhibitions in galleries, museums and other venues demonstrating technical artistic abilities and conceptual development.
- Demonstrate professional preparedness by developing a comprehensive toolkit for self-promotion that will position them for success in the field of art and design.
- Create a cohesive body of artwork organized and shared in a professional digital portfolio.
Create artwork for exhibitions in galleries, museums and other venues demonstrating technical artistic abilities and conceptual development.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
There is no portfolio review process for admission to the School of Art.
Transfer admission requirements:
To complete an undergraduate degree in four years, it is recommended that community college transfer students complete the foundational core and pre-art requirements. Direct transfer of courses from other accredited institutions to the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is subject to the existence of parallel and equal courses in the college's curriculum and to departmental or school evaluation of studio courses with respect to performance standards. Every candidate for the bachelor's degree must earn a minimum of 30 credit hours in resident credit at ASU. Transfer students enrolled in the college must complete a minimum of 15 resident credit hours in the major as approved by the faculty.
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Global Education programs provide an opportunity for students to explore their creative side through an intercultural lens, deepen their understanding of the world and gain valuable career-building experiences. Study abroad can be a vital accompaniment to any art concentration, allowing for broad historical and archaeological explorations. Students develop insight into the cultures and minds of some of the world's most notable artists when they experience the places that gave rise to specific artistic styles.
With more than 300 options available, Global Education programs give students a breadth of knowledge in arts and culture uniquely different from their own. Study abroad encourages students to broaden their intercultural sensitivity, communication skills and leadership ability, and develop their personal and professional self-confidence. Students who participate in global education programs learn to adapt and persevere, growing along the way.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archivist | 3.4% | $64,550 | Learn more |
| Art Director | 4.2% | $114,850 | Learn more |
| Art Professor | 2.2% | $78,620 | Learn more |
| Audio-Visual Technician | 3.9% | $58,100 | Learn more |
| Camera Operator | 1.3% | $74,990 | Learn more |
| Fine Artist | -2.9% | $55,490 | Learn more |
| High School Teacher | -0.2% | $72,040 | Learn more |
| Museum Curator | 4.9% | $63,420 | Learn more |
| Museum Exhibit Designer | 3.6% | $51,440 | Learn more |
| Photographer | -0.7% | $44,660 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Careers this photography concentration prepares you for
An arts degree offers graduates a pathway to creative careers as artists, scholars and educators in the public and private spheres. Artists find employment as practitioners in the field through commercial galleries, public art commissions, private collectors and cultural institutions. Potential positions include museum or gallery professional, art dealer, art director, private art instructor, studio artist and community-based artist. Employment venues might include health care settings, nonprofit agencies, and local and national public arts organizations. Other options for graduates include working at arts agencies and for public art programs, gaining admission to prestigious graduate programs, and setting up their own art businesses. The skills acquired to produce art also have a wide variety of non-art applications.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Art
|
ART 102
herbergeradvising@asu.edu
480-965-8521
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
