Photography is a popular art form that can be studied at many universities. Most major universities offer a photography program, as well as many smaller universities and colleges.
Significance
With photography's importance in the art community and its impact on cinema, most art programs and film schools offer an education in photography. Photography programs allow you to focus your education on still photography. Many of the principles and conventions of photography can be seen in other forms of fine art, which is why photography is offered in the art department. Research a school's art program to determine if that school offers a photography focus.
Bachelor of Arts
There are several different types of photography programs offered. If you want to pursue photography as a hobby, look to your local community college for classes. To pursue a career in photography, you can earn a bachelor's degree at a 4-year school. Many schools offer a Bachelor of Arts, or B.A. These schools include Southern Illinois University and Thomas Edison State College.
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Other schools offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts, or B.F.A, which is more focused and intensive. Some B.F.A. programs include the School of Visual Arts in New York and the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.
Other Options
Other universities even offer a Bachelor of Science, such as the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. Smaller schools may offer only a minor in photography or include their photography programs with other forms of "new media," such as the University of Toledo.
Liberal Arts Education
Each school is different with their approach to photography, but all schools with an art department offer some form of photography education. While your best option for a career in photography is to attend an art school, where the education is based solely on your academic program, a liberal arts school will give you a more rounded education. Choose a school in a region of the country where art is encouraged. Liberal arts schools with B.A. or B.F.A. programs include Barry University, New York University and Ohio State University.
Geography
Locations such as New York, California and Chicago are prime locations for photography schools, due to their large art communities. These locations usually offer the larger and more respected programs, as well as more options. However, good photography programs are offered all over, so your search doesn't need to stop at these locations.
