Overview

The Art - Photography BFA program from San José State University also includes a strong commercial photography component, a feature that makes our undergraduate program unique. To find out what is currently going on check out the blog for current and upcoming gallery shows, photography shows around the Bay Area, and upcoming photography lectures.

Careers

Photographs are unique in the world of visual media in their verisimilitude – their illusion of representing the truth. Those who are familiar with the artifice of photography understand how a photograph accomplishes this representation, but for most folks this artifice is hidden and invisible. And so are the careers in photography.
Every time you see a photograph in the public arena – magazines, TV, books, newspapers, etc., there are at least four people, and often more, involved in creating that image as part of their career and livelihood. In a fashion shoot for example, there is the photographer, at least one assistant or more, a stylist, a make up person and the art director. In a food shoot there is a “food stylist,” and in a product shot there is typically a photographer, an assistant and at least the art director. But when we look at the finished, beautifully illuminated product or wonderful dish, all the multiple skills of the photographer and the staff behind the scenes are intentionally invisible.
In short, though not obvious to the unskilled observer, many potential careers are available to the photography graduate, from fine art photography (a career built on exhibiting and distributing work through galleries, books, and other possible venues), to teaching at the high school or college level, to commercial pursuits such as digital production, portraiture, fashion, or food photography as described above. Indeed, many photographers function within both the commercial and fine art realms with each part of their career informing the other. Your individual interests will determine the direction of your work and future career in the field.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Beginning Photography

Black and White Photography

Color Photography

Advanced Black and White Photography

Intermediate Digital Imaging

Contemporary Issues in Photography

Advanced Studio Lighting

Photographic Illustration

Advanced Photographic Media

The History of Photography

Image and Idea

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-12-20 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-09-30 00:00:00 , International
Starting 2027-08-18 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-04-01 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2026-12-02 00:00:00 , National

Language

English

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

San Jose, United States

Disciplines

Photography View 200 other Bachelors in Photography in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

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IELTS

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Other requirements

General requirements

Earn the equivalent of a U.S. 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or an average of “B” grades.

Successfully complete three years of college preparatory mathematics with a minimum grade of “C-” or better.

Submit official test scores from an approved English language proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS).

Submit partial official secondary school (high school) transcripts and final transcripts.

Take SAT or ACT (highly recommended).

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

8846 USD / year

≈ 8846 USD / year
Out-of-State

8846 USD / year

≈ 8846 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

8846 USD / year

≈ 8846 USD / year

Additional Details

Non-Resident Fees are charged an additional $444 per unit.

Living costs

San Jose

United States

1740 - 3150 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Art - Photography.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Careers

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Additional Details

Living costs

San Jose

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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