Best Online Photography Degree Programs
Get detailed information about best online Photography degree programs and their tuition, accreditation, career prospects, scholarships, admission details and much more
Online Photography Degree Programs
Photography is the science, art, and application of creating durable images by clicking a camera.
Is your life calling is to capture beautiful images of nature or objects and share them with the world?
That may be the case. But the problem is that taking a truly exceptional photo without losing the original beauty of your subject requires a great level of knowledge and skill.
The light, the color, the angle of photography, the weather and other factors all determine the quality of the picture. This quality can be obtained by studying how to control everything effectively from an effective training. An online photography degree can help you to achieve that.
To be a successful photographer, you’ll need to master essential topics like:
- Light
- Exposure
- Depth of field
- Perspective
- Composition
- Technical settings of cameras such as ISO, aspect ratio, aperture, and shutter speed.
- Post-processing of images
You’ll also need to know how to market yourself as a photographer, and how to handle the business side of your craft.
Some features of photography are:
- Knowledge of fundamentals of photography.
- Technical and artistic skills are needed to learn photography.
- Creating a captivating portfolio of your previous work
- Good communication skills are required for this course.
A degree with a photography concentration can help you to learn all of this and more.
What kind of degree program is required to become a professional photographer?
In most reputed companies the photographers are selected based on the qualification they are having. The least qualification is a high school diploma .
A bachelor's degree in photography helps you to improve the technical and creative aspect of the visual arts and these courses may include photography techniques, studio lighting, color theory, graphic design, digital photography and artwork critique. This type of photography program will give you a solid base to launch your career from.
A master's degree in photography also includes studio classes in which students use advanced techniques including lights and digital photography. These courses allow students to experiment with their photographic skills. This will also help to create a good portfolio for the students.
Photography career specialization
Various specializations are available for photographers. These can include:
- Candid photography
- Documentary photography
- Fashion photography
- Food photography
- Landscape photography
- Wildlife photography
- Portrait photography
- Wedding photography
- Commercial photography
Job opportunities for photographers
A career in photography offers a large number of opportunities.
Some of the job opportunities for which a student can look forward to are as a:
- Wildlife photographer
- Fine arts photographer
- Aerial photographer
- Scientific photographer
- Medical photographer
- News photographer
- Sports photographer
- Crime scene photographer
- Portrait photographer
- Freelance photographer
Photography job statistics
The average wage of a photographer is $56,324.
There are approximately 2 million professional photographers in the workforce, and this is growing at a rate of 4.66% per year.
Can you get a photography degree online?
Yes you can. Attending photography class in-person is no longer the only way to obtain a photography degree.
An online bachelor’s degree program is a great way to get started in your photography career. Although you should prepare to build upon what you learn in online photography school with lots of real-world experience.
Is a photography degree worth it?
It’s no secret that many famous professional photographers are self-taught and never received any kind of formal education in photography.
However, the knowledge and technical skill that you’ll gain from an online bachelor degree in photography is definitely worth it in the long run.
You’ll receive all of the basic information and skills that you’ll need to start your photography career. This information could take you decades to figure out on your own. But instead you can accelerate your photography career based on the knowledge of experienced instructors.
Having professional photographers to mentor and guide you will help you from making amateur mistakes, and will speed up the learning process of your photography skills
Which degree is best for photography?
An online bachelor of arts program is arguably the best value for money if you want to become a professional photographer.
It provides you with the greatest amount of photography theory and experience compared to the amount of time that you’ll spend in class. For someone who is serious about becoming a photography major, it’s usually the preferred choice.
What are the admission requirements to enroll in an online photography course?
Requirements to become a photography student will vary from school to school. However, here are some common things that most will require:
A high school or college transcript. All online bachelor programs will require academic transcripts. These will show your grades and previous courses that you’ve taken. Many online bachelor programs have a minimum GPA requirement of 2.0 to be accepted.
Standardized testing scores. You may need to submit your test scores from the SAT or similar testing to enroll in an online photography course. Some schools do not require this, or may waive requirements in some circumstances.
Letters of recommendation. An online bachelor program in photography may require letters of recommendation from previous teachers, mentors, or similar people in your life before accepting you.
Equipment requirements. For almost all online photography courses, it will be expected that you purchase your own photography equipment.
The equipment that you need will likely cost thousands of dollars, so you should plan ahead and make sure that you have a way to afford it before enrolling.
Some professional photography equipment that you’ll require includes:
- An SLR or DSLR camera (a bachelor’s degree program or higher may require both)
- A variety of lenses to go with your camera
- A tripod
- A basic lighting kit
You may also be able to rent this equipment if purchasing it outright isn’t possible within your budget.
Learn more
To find the right online program for you, check out some of the photography colleges and universities below.
Universities with undergraduate certificate degrees in photography
Sessions College for Professional Design
Tempe, Arizona
Institution Type: Private For-Profit
Fine Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 24
Avg Tuition: $ 8,400
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Fine Arts (1)
Request Info
Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC)
Kalispell, Montana
Institution Type: Public
Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Contact No: 4067563822
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (1)
Request Info
Miles Community College
Miles City, Montana
Institution Type: Public
Fine Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 3
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Fine Arts (1)
Request Info
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD)
Denver, Colorado
Institution Type: Private For-Profit
Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 16
Avg Tuition: $ 7,424
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (1)
Request Info
Universities with certificate degrees in photography
The Art Institute of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Institution Type: Private For-Profit
Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 41
Avg Tuition: $ 19,270
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (3)
Request Info
Stark State college
North Canton, Ohio
Institution Type: Public
Information Technology Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 12
Avg Tuition: $ 3,384
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Information Technology (1)
Request Info
Santa Barbara City College (SBCC)
Santa Barbara, California
Institution Type: Public
Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 30
Avg Tuition: $ 8,550
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (1)
Request Info
Peninsula College
Port Angeles, Washington
Institution Type: Public
Media Studies Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 14
Avg Tuition: $ 1,664
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Media Studies (1)
Request Info
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Columbus State Community College
Columbus, Ohio
Institution Type: Public
Business Management Accreditation: Request Info
Contact No: 614-287-5353
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Business Management (1)
Request Info
Universities with masters degrees in photography
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, California
Institution Type: Private For-Profit
Arts Accreditation: NASAD
Avg Credits: 63
Avg Tuition: $ 61,866
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (1)
Request Info
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
Savannah, Georgia
Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Fine Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 90
Avg Tuition: $ 75,060
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Fine Arts (1)
Request Info
School of Visual Arts
New York, New York
Institution Type: Private For-Profit
Fine Arts Accreditation: NASAD
Avg Credits: 30
Avg Tuition: $ 43,600
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Fine Arts (1)
Request Info
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, California
Institution Type: Private For-Profit
Arts Accreditation: NASAD
Avg Credits: 36
Avg Tuition: $ 35,352
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (1)
Request Info
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
Savannah, Georgia
Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Fine Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 45
Avg Tuition: $ 37,530
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Fine Arts (1)
Request Info
Bachelors degrees in photography
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, California
Institution Type: Private For-Profit
Arts Accreditation: NASAD
Avg Credits: 132
Avg Tuition: $ 115,236
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (1)
Request Info
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD)
Denver, Colorado
Institution Type: Private For-Profit
Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 123
Avg Tuition: $ 57,072
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (1)
Request Info
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas
Institution Type: Public
Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 120
Avg Tuition: $ 82,150
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (1)
Request Info
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
Manchester, New Hampshire
Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Media Studies Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 120
Avg Tuition: $ 38,400
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Media Studies (1)
Request Info
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
Savannah, Georgia
Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Fine Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 180
Avg Tuition: $ 146,520
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Fine Arts (1)
Request Info
Colleges that offer an associate degree in photography
Randolph Community College (RCC)
Asheboro, North Carolina
Institution Type: Public
Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 73
Avg Tuition: $ 19,653
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (3)
Request Info
Columbus State Community College
Columbus, Ohio
Institution Type: Public
Fine Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 64
Avg Tuition: $ 19,714
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Fine Arts (1)
Request Info
Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC)
Bossier City, Louisiana
Institution Type: Public
Media Studies Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 60
Avg Tuition: $ 12,358
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Media Studies (1)
Request Info
Dakota College at Bottineau
Bottineau, North Dakota
Institution Type: Public
Applied Science Accreditation: Request Info
Contact No: 7012282277
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Applied Science (1)
Request Info
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, California
Institution Type: Private For-Profit
Arts Accreditation: NASAD
Avg Credits: 66
Avg Tuition: $ 57,618
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (1)
Request Info
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
Manchester, New Hampshire
Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Media Studies Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 60
Avg Tuition: $ 19,200
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Media Studies (1)
Request Info
Santa Barbara City College (SBCC)
Santa Barbara, California
Institution Type: Public
Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 48
Avg Tuition: $ 13,680
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (1)
Request Info
Bucks County Community College
Newtown, Pennsylvania
Institution Type: Public
Arts Accreditation: NASAD
Avg Credits: 62
Avg Tuition: $ 26,970
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (1)
Request Info
El Camino College
Torrance, California
Institution Type: Public
Media Studies Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 42
Avg Tuition: $ 1,242
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Media Studies (1)
Request Info
State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota
Bradenton, Florida
Institution Type: Public
Fine Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Contact No: 9417525000
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Fine Arts (1)
Request Info
Everett Community College
Everett, Washington
Institution Type: Public
Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 90
Avg Tuition: $ 25,375
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (1)
Request Info
Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC)
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Institution Type: Public
Media Studies Accreditation: NASAD
Avg Credits: 62
Avg Tuition: $ 11,176
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Media Studies (1)
Request Info
Sessions College for Professional Design
Tempe, Arizona
Institution Type: Private For-Profit
Fine Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 27
Avg Tuition: $ 9,450
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Fine Arts (1)
Request Info
Schools offering certificate degrees in photography
The Art Institute of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Institution Type: Private For-Profit
Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 41
Avg Tuition: $ 19,270
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (3)
Request Info
Stark State college
North Canton, Ohio
Institution Type: Public
Information Technology Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 12
Avg Tuition: $ 3,384
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Information Technology (1)
Request Info
Santa Barbara City College (SBCC)
Santa Barbara, California
Institution Type: Public
Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 30
Avg Tuition: $ 8,550
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (1)
Request Info
Peninsula College
Port Angeles, Washington
Institution Type: Public
Media Studies Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 14
Avg Tuition: $ 1,664
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Media Studies (1)
Request Info
Columbus State Community College
Columbus, Ohio
Institution Type: Public
Business Management Accreditation: Request Info
Contact No: 614-287-5353
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Business Management (1)
Request Info
Masters Degrees in Photography
Master of Fine Arts
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, California
Institution Type: Private For-Profit
Arts Accreditation: NASAD
Avg Credits: 63
Avg Tuition: $ 61,866
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (1)
Request Info
Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Fine Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 90
Avg Tuition: $ 75,060
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Fine Arts (1)
Request Info
School of Visual Arts
New York, New York
Institution Type: Private For-Profit
Fine Arts Accreditation: NASAD
Avg Credits: 30
Avg Tuition: $ 43,600
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Fine Arts (1)
Request InfoMaster of Arts
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, California
Institution Type: Private For-Profit
Arts Accreditation: NASAD
Avg Credits: 36
Avg Tuition: $ 35,352
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (1)
Request InfoInstitution Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Fine Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 45
Avg Tuition: $ 37,530
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Fine Arts (1)
Request InfoBachelors Degrees in Photography
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, California
Institution Type: Private For-Profit
Arts Accreditation: NASAD
Avg Credits: 132
Avg Tuition: $ 115,236
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (1)
Request Info
Institution Type: Private For-Profit
Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 123
Avg Tuition: $ 57,072
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (1)
Request Info
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas
Institution Type: Public
Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 120
Avg Tuition: $ 82,150
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (1)
Request InfoBachelor of Arts
Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Media Studies Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 120
Avg Tuition: $ 38,400
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Media Studies (1)
Request InfoInstitution Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Fine Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 180
Avg Tuition: $ 146,520
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Fine Arts (1)
Request InfoAssociate Degrees in Photography
Associate of Applied Science
Institution Type: Public
Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 73
Avg Tuition: $ 19,653
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (3)
Request Info
Columbus State Community College
Columbus, Ohio
Institution Type: Public
Fine Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 64
Avg Tuition: $ 19,714
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Fine Arts (1)
Request InfoBossier Parish Community College (BPCC)
Bossier City, Louisiana
Institution Type: Public
Media Studies Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 60
Avg Tuition: $ 12,358
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Media Studies (1)
Request InfoDakota College at Bottineau
Bottineau, North Dakota
Institution Type: Public
Applied Science Accreditation: Request Info
Contact No: 7012282277
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Applied Science (1)
Request InfoAssociate of Arts
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, California
Institution Type: Private For-Profit
Arts Accreditation: NASAD
Avg Credits: 66
Avg Tuition: $ 57,618
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (1)
Request InfoInstitution Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Media Studies Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 60
Avg Tuition: $ 19,200
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Media Studies (1)
Request Info
Santa Barbara City College (SBCC)
Santa Barbara, California
Institution Type: Public
Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 48
Avg Tuition: $ 13,680
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (1)
Request Info
Institution Type: Public
Arts Accreditation: NASAD
Avg Credits: 62
Avg Tuition: $ 26,970
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (1)
Request InfoAssociate of Science
El Camino College
Torrance, California
Institution Type: Public
Media Studies Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 42
Avg Tuition: $ 1,242
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Media Studies (1)
Request InfoState College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota
Bradenton, Florida
Institution Type: Public
Fine Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Contact No: 9417525000
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Fine Arts (1)
Request Info
Everett Community College
Everett, Washington
Institution Type: Public
Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 90
Avg Tuition: $ 25,375
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (1)
Request InfoHarrisburg Area Community College (HACC)
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Institution Type: Public
Media Studies Accreditation: NASAD
Avg Credits: 62
Avg Tuition: $ 11,176
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Media Studies (1)
Request InfoAssociate of Occupational Studies
Institution Type: Private For-Profit
Fine Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 27
Avg Tuition: $ 9,450
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Fine Arts (1)
Request InfoCertificate Degrees in Photography
Stark State college
North Canton, Ohio
Institution Type: Public
Information Technology Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 12
Avg Tuition: $ 3,384
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Information Technology (1)
Request Info
Santa Barbara City College (SBCC)
Santa Barbara, California
Institution Type: Public
Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 30
Avg Tuition: $ 8,550
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Arts (1)
Request Info
Peninsula College
Port Angeles, Washington
Institution Type: Public
Media Studies Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 14
Avg Tuition: $ 1,664
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Media Studies (1)
Request Info
Institution Type: Public
Fine Arts Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 20
Avg Tuition: $ 3,834
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Fine Arts (3)
Request InfoCertificate in Business Administration
Columbus State Community College
Columbus, Ohio
Institution Type: Public
Business Management Accreditation: Request Info
Contact No: 614-287-5353
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Specializations Offered: Photography
Total Programs in Business Management (1)
Request Info