¾ÅÓÎÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø

Image
Photography student and teacher

Photography - B.F.A.

In the Photography major, students develop the skills and knowledge needed to expand their artistic vision and create stunning visual content. With access to photography studio space, free-to-rent lighting equipment, cameras, lenses and more to enhance their projects, plus the expertise of our talented faculty, students are prepared to become emerging professional photographers in a range of rewarding careers.

Contact Us

Apply Now
Request Info
Schedule a Visit

A picture is worth a thousand words – our our photography degree can lead to a thousand possible careers.

With our focus on digital media, its creation, curation and flexibility, students will learn the fundamentals of shot composition, as well as the latest techniques in software editing. We provide professional photo studios and a resource lab where students can check out top of the line lenses, lighting rigs, microphones and other equipment – and add to that the incredible Wallace J. Hagedorn Photography Scholarship – and you provide your talent. 

Focus on building experience, building your portfolio, building connections

tabbed content
The Wallace J. Hagedorn Photography Scholarship
tabbed content
IdeaBase
tabbed content
Student Media
tabbed content
Glyphix

The Wallace J. Hagedorn Photography Scholarship

Where can your camera take you? With the Hagedorn Scholarship, the answer is everywhere. 

A competitive scholarship supporting student costs and enriching, out-of-classroom experiences to help photography students develop strong portfolios, the Hagedorn was funded by the largest single gift ($4.2 million) ever made to ¾ÅÓÎÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø to support only scholarships, and disburses $200,000 in scholarship funding.

Hagedorn scholarships not only cover student tuition, but also costs associated with travel to attend portfolio-building workshops and experiences, including fees and other expenses.

Learn More 

IdeaBase: Student-Powered Agency

IdeaBase is a ¾ÅÓÎÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø student-powered design agency located in Franklin Hall. IdeaBase bridges the gap between classroom and career by bringing together top-performing ¾ÅÓÎÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø students to tackle real-world client problems. The team represents a variety of backgrounds, including visual communication design, public relations, advertising, digital media production, computer information systems, emerging media and technology, marketing and communication studies students.

Learn More

STUDENT MEDIA

In Student Media, students create content for our six print partners (five magazines and one newspaper) as well as for TV, radio, websites and social media. Together, they reach thousands of people every day, delivering original reporting, information, entertainment and advertising. 

Starting "Day One" of freshman year, students can work for these independent, nationally recognized, nationally award-winning student media outlets. In doing so, students gain relevant exposure to the communication industry, strong peer and faculty relationships and opportunities to launch meaningful careers. 

Glyphix Research Laboratory

Glyphix began as a full studio experience for students, and the student staffed studio was one of the first such programs in the U.S. and the prototype for many student work-study design groups now existing on university campuses. Now Glyphix is a Research Laboratory in the School of VCD. Students gain studio experience as they conduct research, develop concepts and produce design materials for clients and other stakeholders. 

Learn More

Program Information for Photography - B.F.A.

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Photography provides the student with a comprehensive program of study in digital photography. Grounded in formal, technical and conceptual skills building, the Photography major focuses on the profession of photography as it relates to commerce. The program builds a photography professional through experiential learning opportunities, as well as through required courses in design.

Programs in the College of Communication and Information are, by nature, innovative, interdisciplinary and collaborative, which is critical to both professional and scholarly disciplines. Students are educated to work at the intersections of communication, information and technology. Through a core of diverse theory- and practice-based courses, students learn basic concepts that apply across the range of college programs and develop a sense of professional expectations and build toward interdisciplinary thinking and application.

Students may apply early to the following master's degree programs and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs. See the in the University Catalog for more information.

There are many study abroad/away opportunities. For more information contact the Office of Global Education.

Admissions for Photography - B.F.A.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the .

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to ¾ÅÓÎÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at ¾ÅÓÎÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Former Students: Former ¾ÅÓÎÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø students who have not attended another institution since ¾ÅÓÎÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø and were not academically dismissed will complete the re-enrollment process through the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center. Former students who attended another college or university since leaving ¾ÅÓÎÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø must apply for admissions as a transfer or post-undergraduate student.

Transfer Students: Students who attended an educational institution after graduating from high school or earning their GED must apply as transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's .

Students may be required to meet certain criteria to progress in their program. Any progression requirements will be listed on the program's Coursework tab

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethics (and legal issues) closely associated with fields of visual communication.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of traditional hands-on skills relative to craftsmanship.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic use of digital technologies as they relate to their areas of study.
  4. Demonstrate an ability to create visual response to communication problems, including understanding of photography, composition and the construction of meaningful images.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
CCI 12001PHOTOGRAPHY 3
VCD 13000VISUAL DESIGN THINKING 3
VCD 13001INTRODUCTION TO VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN STUDIO (min B- grade)3
VCD 18002PHOTOGRAPHY II 3
VCD 23001TYPOGRAPHY I 3
VCD 28003DIGITAL IMAGING I 3
VCD 28004PHOTOGRAPHIC PERSPECTIVES 3
VCD 34004VISUAL ETHICS 3
VCD 38004ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHY 3
VCD 38007PHOTOGRAPHY TECHNIQUES 3
VCD 38011EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHY 3
VCD 40182INTERNSHIP PREPARATION: DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY 2
VCD 40192INTERNSHIP: DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY (ELR) 11
VCD 44006MOTION DESIGN I 3
VCD 47000VISUAL DESIGN FOR MEDIA 3
VCD 48001PHOTOGRAPHIC PROJECT 3
VCD 48002ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHIC PROJECT 3
VCD 48003PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO PHOTOGRAPHY 3
VCD 48005COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY 3
VCD 48008ADVANCED DIGITAL IMAGING 3
VCD 48009FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY 3
VCD 49198WRITING FOR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE (ELR) (WIC) 22
3
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
ARTH 22006ART HISTORY: ANCIENT TO MEDIEVAL ART (KFA) 3
ARTH 22007ART HISTORY: RENAISSANCE TO MODERN ART (KFA) 3
3
COMM 15000INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL) 3
or MDJ 20001 MEDIA, POWER AND CULTURE (DIVD) (KSS)
ENTR 27056INTRODUCTION TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP 3
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
College of Communication and Information Core Electives, choose from the following:6
CCI 10095
SPECIAL TOPICS IN COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION
CCI 40089
BRANDING AND SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIES FOR ITALIAN LIFESTYLE (DIVG) (ELR)
CCI 40095
SPECIAL TOPICS IN COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION
CCI 40189
ITALIAN POP CULTURE (DIVG) (ELR)
CCI 40289
ITALIAN CINEMA (DIVG) (ELR)
CCI 40389
DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING (DIVG) (ELR)
CCI 40489
MULTIMEDIA EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING (DIVG) (ELR)
CCI 45089
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN THE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION (DIVG) (ELR)
CCI 46089
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN THE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION (DIVG) (ELR)
COMM 15000
INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL) 3
COMM 35852
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION (DIVG)
EMAT 25310
CREATIVE CODING
EMAT 33310
HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERACTION
LIS 30010
INFORMATION FLUENCY IN THE WORKPLACE AND BEYOND
MDJ 20001
MEDIA, POWER AND CULTURE (DIVD) (KSS) 3
MDJ 21008
SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIES
UXD 20001
INTRODUCTION TO USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN
6
3
3
46
6-7
43
General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours) 56
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

Minimum 1 credit hour of VCD 40192 is required for the program. Students can apply a maximum 4 credit hours of VCD 40192 toward their degree program.

2

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

3

Students can choose COMM 15000 or MDJ 20001 as a College of Communication and Information Core Elective if NOT already taken.

4

If MDJ 20001 is completed, then 3 credit hours of Kent Core Social Sciences and 6 credit hours of Kent Core Additional is required. If COMM 15000 is completed, then 6 credit hours of Kent Core Social Sciences and 3 credit hours of Kent Core Additional is required.

5

A maximum of 4 credit hours of Physical Activity, Wellness and Sport (PWS) courses may be applied toward the degree program.

Progression Requirements
  • Students must receive a minimum B- in VCD 13001 before enrolling in VCD 23001. VCD 13001 may be taken a maximum three times until a minimum B- grade is achieved.
  • Students must maintain a 2.500 major GPA in order to continue taking VCD courses. Failure to do so at the end of one semester will result in a written warning with the option of repeating certain VCD courses in order to meet minimum grade and GPA requirements to continue. Failure to do so at the end of two consecutive semesters will result in not being permitted to enroll in VCD courses. Students in this situation will be contacted by an academic advisor to create an alternative plan of study with a new major.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.500 2.000
  • A minimum B- grade may be required in some courses.
Roadmaps

Roadmaps

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
CCI 12001 PHOTOGRAPHY 3
!VCD 13000 VISUAL DESIGN THINKING 3
!VCD 13001 INTRODUCTION TO VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN STUDIO 3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Two
COMM 15000
or MDJ 20001
 INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL)
or MEDIA, POWER AND CULTURE (DIVD) (KSS)
3
!VCD 18002 PHOTOGRAPHY II 3
!VCD 23001 TYPOGRAPHY I 3
VCD 47000 VISUAL DESIGN FOR MEDIA 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Three
ARTH 22006 ART HISTORY: ANCIENT TO MEDIEVAL ART (KFA) 3
!VCD 28003 DIGITAL IMAGING I 3
!VCD 28004 PHOTOGRAPHIC PERSPECTIVES 3
VCD 38004 ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHY 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Four
ARTH 22007 ART HISTORY: RENAISSANCE TO MODERN ART (KFA) 3
VCD 48005 COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY 3
VCD 48008 ADVANCED DIGITAL IMAGING 3
College of Communication and Information Core Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Five
VCD 34004 VISUAL ETHICS 3
!VCD 38007 PHOTOGRAPHY TECHNIQUES 3
VCD 40182 INTERNSHIP PREPARATION: DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY 2
Visual Communication Design (VCD) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Six
ENTR 27056 INTRODUCTION TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP 3
!VCD 48009 FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY 3
Art History (ARTH) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Third Summer Term
!VCD 40192 INTERNSHIP: DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY (ELR) 1
 Credit Hours1
Semester Seven
!VCD 38011 EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHY 3
VCD 44006 MOTION DESIGN I 3
!VCD 48001 PHOTOGRAPHIC PROJECT 3
VCD 49198 WRITING FOR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE (ELR) (WIC) 2
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Eight
!VCD 48002 ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHIC PROJECT 3
!VCD 48003 PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO PHOTOGRAPHY 3
College of Communication and Information Core Elective 3
General Electives 6
 Credit Hours15
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120

Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Accreditation for Photography - B.F.A.

Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)

Camera Requirements

Photography in VCD is a digital-based program, and all work is done with digital cameras. As such, there are several camera options for you to consider. However, before deciding on your preferred camera system, consider your major or area of concentration and the extent of your future involvement in and with photography. 

List of Cameras

If you plan to major in Photography or take Photography classes beyond Photo 1, your camera will need to be tetherable (hard-wired) to a laptop and able to fire an accessory flash and trigger devices.

The primary programs we tether with are Adobe Lightroom and Capture One Pro. Please research the camera before you purchase one to be sure which programs it will work with. [Note: Photo Majors are required to work with Capture One beginning with their second program year.] We recommend either Nikon or Canon cameras primarily for interchangeability with classmates, depreciation value, current state-of-art and availability of rental equipment in the VCD Creative Lab. If you already have another brand of camera, send an email with the camera’s brand and model to VCD@kent.edu and someone will get back to you.

All cameras used in Photography in VCD classes must have interchangeable lens capability; feature a manual mode that allows for setting ISO, f-stop, and shutter speeds; allow man