Program Overview

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Photography and Film Program

School of the Arts

The Department of Photography and Film offers a variety of basic, intermediate, and advanced photography and filmmaking classes leading to a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography and Film. The program provides students with the ability to intelligently express, investigate, or document using photography and/or film, and to interpret meaning in still and moving images.

Concentrations

• Filmmaking
• Photography

Program Description

The program emphasizes photography and film as contemporary fine arts. The department promotes a fundamental and effective philosophy that students maintain creative freedom, have access to resources, and are enrolled in courses in which they can refine their voices and skills through traditional and contemporary media, tools, and professional working methods. All student work in the program will culminate in an in-person exhibition or film screening in the fourth year.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are well prepared to enter the industry as:

• Commercial, freelance, industrial, and staff photographers and videographers
• Independent filmmakers
• Exhibiting artists
• Media content providers
• Gallery managers
• Advertising associates
• Art educators
• Film editors
• Producers
• Studio, location, and production technicians
• Social media content providers and managers
• Film festival and museum curators/programmers
• Film commission and television station personnel

Change of Major Requirements

Completion of the Art Foundation Program is a prerequisite for entry into all fine art and design departments. Students are required to submit their application and required portfolio.

Typical Application Deadlines

• November 1 (for spring applicants)
• April 1 (for fall applicants)

Bachelor-Level Job Titles

• Exhibiting Artist
• Independent Filmmaker
• Advertising Associate
• Film Commissioner
• Film Editor
• Gallery Manager
• Media Content Providers
• Social Media Content Manager
• Staff Photographer
• Studio Technician

Graduate and Professional Level Job Titles

• Arts Educator
• Commercial Art Director
• Museum Curator
• Professional Artist

Professional Associations and Resources

• American Film Institute
• American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP)
• New York Foundation of the Arts
• Society for Photographic Education

Degree Requirements

The program offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) with concentrations in:

• Filmmaking
• Photography

Plan of Study

The plan of study for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography and Film with concentrations in filmmaking and photography can be found in the university bulletin.

Requirements

• Highest level of math required: Quantitative Foundations requirement only
• Science required: Natural Sciences requirement only
• Foreign language requirements: None
• Additional tuition/fees: Yes
• GPA requirements: To progress/graduate in the major, students must meet the GPA requirements as specified by the university.

Yearly Program Outline

The program is designed to be completed in four years, with the following outline:

Year 1: Explore

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Enroll in a student success course
  • Map out a full degree course plan
  • Meet with a writing consultant
  • Schedule an appointment with an academic advisor
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Apply to live in a Living-Learning Community
  • Consider applying to the Honors College
  • Get involved in student clubs and organizations
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Review Global Learning's Major Advising Sheets
  • Visit a study abroad fair
  • Visit local art galleries
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Review Career Works 4-year career planning tool
  • Consider applying for a federal work-study job
  • Activate Handshake profile
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Access free credit report
  • Build a resume and LinkedIn profile
  • Explore "What Can I Do With This Major"

Year 2: Experience

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Explore innovation and business
    on-profit creation classes
  • Get familiar with the research process
  • Schedule an appointment with an advisor
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty
  • Join the Residence Hall Association
  • Learn about the Sophomore Year Experience
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship
  • Investigate globally-focused courses
  • Consider studying abroad
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Attend career and internship fairs
  • Complete a gap analysis
  • Explore global career options
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Build a resume and LinkedIn profile
  • Conduct informational interviews
  • Connect with alumni

Year 3: Experience

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • See academic and career advisors
  • Take a virtual library tour
  • Use LinkedIn Learning
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Attend civic meetings
  • Design a community-engaged research project
  • Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Build language proficiency
  • Explore new cultures
  • Get required REAL experience
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program
  • Get expert advice from VCU Alumni
  • Take advantage of mock interview opportunities
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Ask a faculty or staff member to be an academic and professional mentor
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed
  • Make a plan for applying to graduate school

Year 4: Excel

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Choose REAL electives
  • Schedule an appointment with an academic advisor
  • Consider electives that might seem "weird"
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Attend professional association conferences
  • Serve in a leadership role
  • Attend an annual conference of the Society for Photographic Education
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Carry out globally-oriented research projects
  • Plan for language fluency after graduation
  • Read scholarly articles about internationalization
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Meet with an academic or professional mentor
  • Publish original research
  • Drop in to see an academic advisor about grad schools
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations
  • Prepare for graduation
  • Single out prospective employers
  • Develop a professional website and portfolio