International Direct - Bachelor of Fine Arts - Photography

Photography is as widespread as language itself and is used for many diverse purposes. Photographs can be both specific and abstract, personal and universal, factual and metaphorical. Photography transforms our awareness and extends our vision, providing us with countless ways to explore, understand and share.

The student of photography learns to see and to communicate through the visual language of photography. The extraordinary flexibility of the medium lends itself to widely different approaches and points of view. We believe it is important to experience this diversity. Students may pursue artistic, commercial, journalistic or scientific applications. Our primary concern, however, is with creative photography. We define this as image making that reflects personal involvement, technical skill and visual intelligence. We are concerned with how images are understood, how we look at photographs and how they affect us, as well as how to make them.

Photography requires high levels of both visual and technical skills. Our programs provide the student with optimum conditions for developing these attributes and afford abundant opportunities to become successful photography professionals.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) is an intensive professional program of study specifically designed to prepare the major to enter the field of photography and/or to continue studies in graduate school. The B.F.A. allows collaboration with faculty on independent special interest problems. Approximately 60 percent of the degree requirements are in the creation and study of photography.

Photography majors receive quality instruction and support, allowing them to perfect creative skills and abilities. While pursuing the degree and completing course work, majors begin to assemble a visual portfolio that can be presented to potential employers or to graduate programs for advanced study in photography. Major effort is directed toward creating a graduation portfolio that demonstrates exceptional work. Seniors present their final portfolio to faculty and peers as a part of the capstone experience.

The University of Dayton is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).