The BFA Concentration in Photography, offered by the Department of Art and Art History  prepares students for careers in photography by providing courses that emphasize image as it relates to concept, theory, and professional practice in commercial and fine art photography. Our curriculum engages students in a diverse range of contemporary practices in the medium, from innovative approaches to digital imaging and traditional silver-based photography, to historic alternative photographic processes. We recognize the possibilities of the interdisciplinary nature of photographic practice and encourage interested students to explore installation, video and electronic media. In addition to our emphasis on fine art photography our program includes a strong commercial photography component, offering introductory through advanced courses in studio lighting and professional practices. The blend of fine art and commercial photography makes our program unique. Our technical facilities are extensive and include traditional black and white darkroom, commercial lighting studio stations, alternative practices studio, and large format digital printers.

• Program Learning Outcomes  

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

Major-Specific Graduation Requirements

No portfolios are required at the time of application for admission to SJSU. Major requirements for the first two years of study for BA Art/Studio Practice and all BFA degrees are very similar so that students have time to choose the right path and can apply for the BFA, if they choose to do so. At that time BFA program applicants must meet the following departmental requirements:

1. Have completed, be currently enrolled in, or planning to enroll within the following two semesters in all coursework in the common preparation for the BA and BFA Art majors (25-28 units of drawing, digital media, photography, sculpture, art history, ART 1 , ART 2  and ART 100W ) with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Also recommended, are three to six additional units from the desired BFA concentration area.
2. Pass the BFA - Art admissions review. During the review, which is held in October and March each year, images of the applicant’s creative work are reviewed by the art faculty to determine if the work demonstrates the creative level expected of BFA candidates. Instructions are available on the Art and Art History Department website.

Students complete the BFA Art program with a capstone project, for which each candidate prepares an individual art exhibit to demonstrate the candidate’s professional competence.