College of Visual and Performing Arts | Art | Degrees and Programs | BFA Overview | BFA in Studio Art, concentration in Photography

BFA in Studio Art, concentration in Photography

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The Photography concentration is dedicated to providing students with knowledge of digital, analog and alternative photographic processes. Students are expected to think critically, to participate fully in group critiques, and to defend their working process both technically and conceptually. The Photography concentration is a fine art program, which refers to photographs that are created in accordance with the creative vision of the photographer as artist. Fine art photography stands in contrast to commercial photography, the primary focus of which is to advertise products or services.

Through the generosity of the Triplette Foundation and other university programs, renowned photographers are brought to campus to lecture and meet with students to discuss current issues in the medium each year.

Required Materials

Students are required to supply their own cameras and printing supplies. When registering for the introductory course, ART 285, please note that there is a traditional darkroom class and a digital class. There are many models of camera, both 35mm and DSLR, from which to choose. However, all cameras must have manual options, such as the ability to change ISO, aperture and shutter speed. A complete list of supplies will be discussed the first day of class.

Helpful Information for Incoming Photography Students

The prerequisite for ART 285 is ART 140. Classes must be taken in sequence (200 level, all 300 level courses and lastly, 485). ART 485 is designed to be taken in the last year of the BA/BFA program. ART 393 is where students find a photography or art-related business that agrees to supervise an internship (the internship can be completed over a summer or a semester). Interested students can find necessary paperwork for internships in the art office.

If you are a transfer student with additional questions, please email Leah at [email protected]. If you have taken photography at another institution, you will need to provide a portfolio of 15-20 images so we can best determine proper placement within the program.

List of Courses

These are the courses required by the Photography concentration. For a suggested schedule of courses for Photography students, see the schedule at the bottom of this page. For more information on these and other available courses, see the UNCG course bulletin.

For students entering UNCG 2014-2015, these core courses are required for the Photography concentration. All other students should check the appropriate Undergraduate Course Bulletin.

  • Foundation Program (27 s.h.)
  • 3 Art History (ARH) courses above the 100 level
  • ART 221, 285, 384, 385, 387, 388, 485 (21 s.h.)
  • 4 courses from the following: ART 344, 393, 345, 441, 442, ARH 350, ARH 353 (12 s.h.)
  • 3 Art or related electives ( it is recommended that these courses be at 300 level or above) (9 s.h.)

Elective courses in Photography include:

  • ART 340 Concepts in Time-Based Media
  • ART 341 Letters, Signs, & Symbols
  • ART 344 Digital Darkroom
  • ART 345 Introduction to Web Design
  • ART 393 Practicum/Internship in Art Careers (select this for up to 3 credit hours of internship credit). This course is optimal for those seeking professional training.
  • ART 441 Books and Images
  • ART 442 Image Sequencing/Sequential Images
  • ART 445 Three-Dimensional Design
  • ART 446 Graphic Design
  • ART 496 Special Problems Studio (this course is recommended for students who are extremely self-motivated and directed, and ready to pursue a body of work under the direction of a full-time faculty member).
  • ART 529 Multi-Media Print
  • ART 545 Interactive Web Design
  • ART 592 Prof. Practices, Aesthetics, and Prep. for the Visual Artist

All fourth years enrolled in the BFA programs must exhibit their work in the annual BFA Exhibition, held each Spring and Fall semester. Students are encouraged to consult the UNCG Undergraduate Bulletin for course descriptions.

Suggested Course Schedule

This list outlines the schedule of courses recommended for majors in the Art Education concentration. For more information on courses and requirements, see the UNCG course bulletin.

University Minimums: 128 Hours Required, 36 at or above the 300 level.

Foundation Program in Studio Art

Studio Foundation Program Courses:

  • Foundation Semester 1: ARH 110, ART 105*, ART 120, ART 140 and ART 150 (fall)
  • Foundation Semester II: ARH 111; ART 220, ART 240 and ART 253 (spring)

* required for students entering Fall 2016

Semester III

  • ART 112
  • ART 221
  • ART 285, 384, 385, 387, 384, 388, or 485 (choose 1)
  • ARH 350, 353, ART 344, 393, 345, 441, 442 (choose 1)
  • General Education (select two courses. If available, schedule one with a GL, GN, SI or WI marker)
  • Recommended 15 – 18 credit hours

Semester IV

  • ART 285, 384, 385, 387, 384, 388, or 485 (all are required)
  • ARH 350, 353, ART 344, 393, 345, 441 or 442 (four are required for graduation)
  • Art or related elective (300 level or above)
  • Art History (Above 100 level)
  • General Education (select two courses. If available, schedule one with a GL, GN, SI or WI marker)
  • Recommended 15 – 18 credit hours

Semester V

  • ART 285, 384, 385, 387, 384, 388, or 485 (all are required)
  • ARH 350, 353, ART 344, 393, 345, 441, 442 (four are required for graduation)
  • Art History (Above 100 level)
  • Art or related elective (300 level or above)
  • General Education (select one course. If available, schedule one with a GL, GN, SI or WI marker)
  • Recommended 15 -18 credit hours

Semester VI

  • ART 285, 384, 385, 387, 384, 388, or 485 (all are required)
  • ARH 350, 353, ART 344, 393, 345, 441, 442 (four are required for graduation)
  • Art History (Above 100 level)
  • Art or related elective (300 level or above)
  • ART 393 Practicum/Internship in Art Careers (select this for up to 3 credit hours of internship credit). This course is optimal for those seeking professional training. This course can count as an Art or related elective.
  • ART 496 Special Problems Studio (this course is recommended for students who are extremely self-motivated and directed, and ready to pursue a body of work under the direction of a full-time faculty member). This course is optional and counts as an art or related elective.
  • General Education (complete General Education requirements)
  • Recommended 15 -18 credit hours

Semester VII

  • ART 285, 384, 385, 387, 384, 388, or 485 (all are required)
  • ARH 350, 353, ART 344, 393, 345, 441, 442 (four are required for graduation)
  • Art History (Above 100 level)
  • Art or related elective (300 level or above)
  • ART 496 (Special Problems Studio; may be repeated for credit)
  • ART 393 practicum/Internship in Art Careers (select this for up to 3 credit hours of internship credit). This course is optimal for those seeking professional training. This course can count as an Art or related elective.
  • Recommended 15 credit hours

Semester VIII

  • ART 285, 384, 385, 387, 384, 388, or 485 (all are required)
  • ARH 350, 353, ART 344, 393, 345, 441, 442 (four are required for graduation)
  • Art History (above 100 level)
  • Art or related elective (300 level or above)
  • ART 592 (Professional Practices, Aesthetics and Preparation for the Visual Artist is highly recommended)
  • ART 496 (Special Problems Studio; may be repeated for credit)
  • ART 393 practicum/Internship in Art Careers (select this for up to 3 credit hours of internship credit). This course is optimal for those seeking professional training. This course can count as an Art or related elective.
  • Select other courses of interest from another discipline within the School of Art or College
  • Recommended 15 credit hours

To earn a BFA in Art with a studio concentration in four years, you must average 15 credit hours per semester. In at least three of the eight semesters within the four-year time period, you must take an 18 credit hour course load.

Fourth years must participate in an experience which will prepare them for the professional world of exhibiting. All Studio Art majors are required to enter the annual BFA Exhibition. This exhibition is competitive; works are selected for an installation in the Gatewood Gallery in the Studio Arts Building.