Summary
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography (2026–2027) is a standard four‑year, 120–122 credit program (catalog lists 121 credits) requiring a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0; its curriculum combines a 1‑credit First Year Experience, 15 credits of Foundations, a 57‑credit Photography major (45 required courses + 12 major electives), 42 general education credits (including WRT‑101/102 and art history/visual culture), 6 open electives, and 15 additional GE electives, delivered across a semester‑by‑semester sequence that moves from foundational darkroom and digital methods through intermediate lighting, photobook and visual culture courses, a Junior Project, and culminates in DPH‑411/451 Thesis I & II, with many approved course options and recommended sequences noted for tracking progress toward graduation.
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Requirements
Catalog Year 26/27
Standard 4 Year Pathway (full-time status)
Total Credits 120-122
First Year
Second Year
Third Year
Fifth Semester = 16.5 Credit Hours
| Course Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| DPH-311 Advanced Commercial Practices | 3 |
| DPH-353 Experimental Forms | 3 |
| Photography Major Elective | 3 |
| Humanities: Choose from approved list (CE) | 3 |
| General Education Elective 200-400 | 3 |
Fourth Year
Seventh Semester = 15 Credit Hours
| Course Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| DPH-411 Photography Thesis Project I | 3 |
| Photography Major Elective | 3 |
| Photography Major Elective | 3 |
| AHV 200-400 Art History & Visual Culture Course (CE) | 3 |
| Open Elective | 3 |
Additional ”Program & Credit Requirement Details” attached; includes ”approved course lists” and ”recommended courses (RC)” for any requirements with noted selections. Enrolled students should view Self-Service (My Progress/Plan & Schedule) for complete program information; see catalog for additional course details and descriptions.
This plan is provided for use as a guide only and is based on full-time status with successful completion of credits outlined per semester. Degree Timelines and requirements may vary based on actual program, credits completed per semester and/or catalog year. Students are responsible for confirming completion of all requirements before graduating (use program/student resources to support degree progression). Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.0 required.
Program & Credit Requirement Details
| Degree Requirements | Total credits required | Requirement Details |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Experience | 1.0 | SLP-007 is waived for eligible transfer students with 12.0 (or more) college. |
| Foundations | 15.0 | Required for all majors. Successfully complete listed DFN Foundation courses for enrolled major; requirements may vary per major. |
| General Education | 42.0 | Liberal Arts courses required for all undergraduate majors; total credits may vary per program. |
| General Education Undergrad CORE Requirements (CR) | 12.0 | Successfully complete WRT & AHV core general education prerequisites requirements (Composition pathways may vary based on completed assessments, test scores or transfer credits). |
| General Education MAJOR Requirements (MJ) | 6.0 | Successfully complete major specific Liberal Arts. Requirements vary per major. |
| General Education Undergrad CORE Electives (CE) | 9.0 | Successfully complete core general education electives required for all UG majors (Science, Humanities, Art History & Visual Culture) as outlined on 4 year pathway/degree requirements: |
| 3.0 cr. Science: Successfully complete one course from the SCI subject; 200-400 level | ||
| 3.0 cr. Humanities Option: Successfully complete one of the following approved courses: LIT 239, LIT 203, DHS 201, DSS 215, DSS 240 or DPL 201 | ||
| 3.0 cr. Art History & Visual Culture: Successfully complete course from AHV subject, 200-400 level | ||
| General Education Electives | 15.0 | Successfully complete any non-required 200-400 level Liberal Arts course from subject codes: AHV, BUS, DHS, DPL, DSS, SCI, WRT, LIT (Total Gen.Ed Elective credits vary per major). |
| Major § | 57.0 | Studio and/or lecture courses specific to major focus. |
| Major Courses § | 45.0 | Successfully complete listed DPH courses in 4 year plan, by recommended sequence (based on prerequisites) |
| Major Electives | 12.0 | Non-required major courses with subject code DPH are considered major electives; exceptions require approval. |
| Open Electives | 6.0 | Successfully complete 100-400 level courses from any Undergraduate subject (Studio or Lecture). |
| Total Program Credits | 121.0 | Total credits required 120 – 122 ‡ |
| Undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts program, GPA minimum requirement = 2.0 | ||
Footnotes
* ELS 101 Composition I for Multilingual Students 4.0 cr.
† WRT 101/102 Self Placement Survey available.
‡ Based on SLP 007 (1.0 cr.) and ELS 101 (4.0 cr.)§ Remaining Major course sequence impacts timeline to degree completion.