This degree will teach you all the basics of composition, lighting, and color theory, while also giving you a peek behind the curtain at where you can fit into exciting industries like the film industry or the art industry. Photographers use their technical expertise, creativity, and composition skills to produce and preserve images that tell a story or record an event.

Degree Benefits:

  • Access to internships in exciting fields and careers where you may not be able to get a foot in the door without a degree
  • A deeper understanding of how to make the best use of your natural eye
  • A greater range of creativity than you would have with self-learning because your teachers will pull you out of your comfort zone and introduce you to new concepts

Career Options Include:

  • Photographer
  • Art Director
  • Graphic Designer
  • Videographer

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average median salary for Photographers in 2020 was $41,280 per year.

Find an online bachelor's or master's degree:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

It is possible to earn a Digital Photography bachelor's degree online in less than the four years traditionally required in a brick and mortar school, as the student may take classes year-round. For the student balancing work and/or family obligations, it may take longer. One of the advantages of earning an online degree is that the student may work at his or her own pace. However, you should be aware that some rigorous programs or majors may require you to complete your degree within a certain time frame from the start of your courses. You should check with the department your major falls under and ask if they have any such requirement.

We consider the choice of major to be an important decision for students when selecting Digital Photography schools or programs. Bachelor of Arts in Digital Photography is a broad field, and it has a wide potential for developing specializations and expertise. The student should pause and study the situation carefully. It is important to connect the choice of school with the career goals and employment objectives. Students should be sure that the school is well-equipped to provide high-quality Digital Photography education in the subject areas of greatest interest.


Students must look at the curriculum to determine if the subject will be covered thoroughly and in the areas of study that will be most beneficial.

A Digital Photography degree will certainly require to consist of some really particular training courses. Generally, a bachelor's degree in Digital Photography looks like an associate level doubled, but associates courses (the first two years) focus more on general studies. While the 3rd-5th years focus more on specific studies related to Digital Photography. Below is a sample of online bachelor's degree courses so you can see the kind of curriculum that will be typically found. Universities will differ in their specific studies needs. Compare colleges very carefully on the courses they will require you to take to gain your bachelor's degree in Digital Photography. Sample courses you may need:

  • Photography Basics and Beyond: From Smartphone to DSLR
  • Principles of Photo Composition and Digital Image Post-Production
  • Cameras, Exposure, and Photography
  • Fundamentals of Graphic Design
  • Photography Techniques: Light, Content, and Sharing
  • Fundamentals of Digital Image and Video Processing
  • Photography Capstone Project
  • Graphic Design Elements for Non-Designers
  • Basic Elements of Design: Design Principles and Software Overview

Currently, students enrolled in four-year universities have less than a 50% chance of graduating within four years. Statistics vary from university to university, but many students are graduating closer to the 6-year range.


If you want to be one of the lucky 40% who do graduate in your fourth year, you'll need to make a few sacrifices. First, you'll have to take more than the minimum 12 credit hours per semester. Take 15 credits per semester, because you'll finish earning the required credits in around four years.


Go to school each summer session. Take at least one class per summer semester. Not only will you be sure to graduate on time, but you may also benefit with lower per-credit tuition charges, as well.


Declare a major as soon as you can. You won't be moving from major to major this way. If you have to work for gas or rent, work for the fewest number of hours per week that you can. Your studies are vital.

Colleges and universities generally charge per credit hour for Digital Photography courses. Multiply the cost by the number of credits you're taking for your total semester's financial commitment. Program fees may not be included in the stated tuition rate. If a university charges $331 per credit hour, multiply this by 12 or 15 (the number of credits you're taking per semester). For 12 credit hours, this is $3,972; for 15 credit hours, it's $4,965.


The College Board's Trends in Higher Education Series reported that the average cost of a four-year public Bachelor's Degree in Digital Photography program was $9,970 if taken in-state. It was as much as $35,260 if taken at a private university or college. And be aware that, even if you are comfortable with the per credit hour cost of the program you are looking at, there will be other costs for fees, textbooks, and room and board if you live on campus.

You can't afford to take time to redraft your resume, write attention-grabbing cover letters, schedule job interviews, practice your interview skills, or parry salary offers. Not when you're student-teaching and getting ready to graduate.


That is why most universities and colleges have offices where career and placement service professionals can help you with all of the above. If your resume needs to be updated or even totally rewritten, they will help you. If you need to brush up on your interview skills, they can assist you.


Some campuses even hold professional development workshops. These may include networking skills, resume writing, and interviewing skills.