Program Overview

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Photography Program Details

Program Overview

The Photography Associate Degree program at Madison College is designed to equip you with a solid foundation in commercial photography. Our courses will help you develop an individual style, give you hands-on experience with the latest digital technologies, and provide you with the business skills necessary to succeed in the field of photography. Madison College's Photography program combines classroom lectures and demonstrations, practical hands-on assignment work in studios and labs, and real-world experience through internships and assignments that emulate contract work for clients.

Program Details

• Program Number:
• Your Degree: Associate Degree
• Area of Study: Arts, Design and Humanities
• Delivery Method: 100% In Person
• Estimated Time to Complete: 60 Credits | Finish degree in 2 years
• Financial Aid Available: Yes
• Program Transfers: Yes

What You'll Pay

• Estimated Program Cost: $10,392.30
• View Tuition and Fees: Tuition and Fees
• Financial Aid: Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
• Learn About Paying for College: Paying for College

Curriculum and Experience

First Semester

• Image Editing and Workflow (2 credits)
• Photo Composition (2 credits)
• Camera & Flash Essentials (3 credits)
• Lighting Technique (2 credits)
• Written Communication (3 credits)
• College Mathematics (3 credits)

Second Semester

• Studio Photography (3 credits)
• Digital Color Workflow (3 credits)
• Photojournalism (2 credits)
• Video Production (3 credits)
• Oral/Interpersonal Communication (3 credits)

Third Semester

• Commercial Photography 1 (3 credits)
• Portrait Photography (2 credits)
• Advanced Image Editing (3 credits)
• Photography on Location (3 credits)
• Elective (3 credits)
• Contemporary American Society (3 credits)

Fourth Semester

• Commercial Photography 2 (3 credits)
• Business of Photography (2 credits)
• Advanced Portrait Photography (2 credits)
• Photography Portfolio Preparation (3 credits)
• Trends in Digital Photography (1 credit)
• Psychology Of Human Relations (3 credits)

Recommended Electives

• Photography Internship (1 credit)
• Professional Nature and Conservation Photography (2 credits)

Admission

To Apply

Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!

Application Dates

• Fall 2025: Application open, Application completion deadline is August 31, 2025

Admission Requirements

• 1. Admission Application: The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.
• 2. Education Completion: Submit official transcripts from the institutions you attended that indicate one of the following:
  • High school completion (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
  • GED/HSED completion
  • College transcript or Madison College experience showing:
    • Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
    • At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
      • The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
      • Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum
      • Credits completed at Madison College are evaluated and do not require a transcript

Transfer Opportunities

UW System Schools

• UW Oshkosh: The terms of the B.S in Leadership & Org Studies agreement are limited to students who complete selective A.A.S or A.A.A. degrees and are admitted to the Organizational Studies emphasis at UW-Oshkosh. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher

Wisconsin Private Schools

• Lakeland University: Student who earn an Associate Degree from Madison College can transfer a minimum of 60 credits and a maximum of 72 credits to Lakeland College to be applied to the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree.
• Wisconsin Lutheran College: Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Leadership

Out-of-State Schools

• Bellevue University: Students who complete any associate degree at Madison Area Technical College will have no additional general education core curriculum requirements to meet but must satisfy the Kirkpatrick Signature Series requirement.
• Colorado State University Global Campus: Students graduating with an associate degree from MATC with a 2.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admissions into CSU-Global and can transfer up to 64 semester credits from MATC to be applied toward earning a Bachelor’s Degree at CSU-Global.

Career Outcomes

After completing the Photography program at Madison Area Technical College, you will be able to:

• Apply the principles of design and storytelling to develop media products and services.
• Demonstrate proficiency in the use of media software, tools, and technology.
• Implement creative solutions from concept through completion.
• Communicate creative rationale in formal and informal settings.
• Implement project management skills to meet customer and market demands.
• Apply effective and ethical business practices.

Graduate Summary

• Number of Program Graduates: 13 (2022), 13 (2023), 12 (2024)
• Number of Surveys Sent: 13 (2022), 13 (2023), 12 (2024)
• Number of Surveys Returned: 9 (2022), 7 (2023), 7 (2024)
• Percent of Surveys Returned: 69.2% (2022), 53.8% (2023), 58.3% (2024)
• Available for Employment: 8 (2022), 6 (2023), 7 (2024)
• Percent Available for Employment: 88.9% (2022), 85.7% (2023), 100.0% (2024)
• Not in Labor Market: 1 (2022), 1 (2023), 0 (2024)
• Percent Not in Labor Market: 11.1% (2022), 14.3% (2023), 0.0% (2024)

Graduate Employers

• Harmann Studios: Photo Editor (DePere, WI)

Related Programs

• Visual Storytelling
• Video Audio Design
• Graphic Design