Photography Schools
Photography schools are frequently, but not always associated with institutions that offer dedicated instruction in the visual arts. Many educational options are available, including coursework in photographic design, photojournalism, art photography, and other specialty areas that may be of interest to the budding photographer.
A student with an interest in photography schools should research available options, since both certificate and degree programs may be offered based on the nature of the individual institution and its accreditation. Some art colleges offer no other courses of study, and consequently award only fine arts degrees such as the Bachelor or Master of Fine Arts (BFA, MFA). Other programs are offered through universities, and may result in either a fine arts or standard baccalaureate degree (BA, MA). Associate degrees are also available for those who are not interested in pursuing a full university degree.
Students who attend photography schools typically have a strong interest in either the visual arts for their own sake or in recording the world around them. A degree in photography could prepare a student for a career in design, industrial photography, fashion, journalism, wildlife and nature studies, or even cinematography. Some schools provide a filmmaking option for students whose interests and career plans lie in that direction.
Course work offered by photography schools typically includes studies in composition, color, design, visual expression, various camera techniques and applications, digital imaging and business practices. Students pursuing Bachelors or Masters degrees will also be expected to complete the university's core study requirements, since these are mandatory for all graduates who receive such degrees.
Typical employers of university-based photography school graduates include television stations, museums, magazines, newspapers, and the government. Many photographers work on a freelance basis as well, attracting and developing clients from a variety of sources as their skills and reputation grow. They may work as video editors, commercial photographers, studio managers, or in a publishing house. Those with Associate degrees often find work in photo labs, as photographic assistants, and digital imaging artists.
Financial aid may be available for students interested in photography schools, depending upon the course of study being pursued. University students may avail themselves of the typical range of loans, grants, and scholarships usually offered by the federal government and private lending institutions. Those who enroll in fine arts schools may or may not be eligible for the same range of aid packages; a school's financial aid advisors can provide additional information on options available to interested students.
