Summary
The Photography/Art Education BFA (Catalog Year 2026–27) is a standard 4.5‑year, full‑time program requiring 138–139 credits that combines photography studio coursework (core DPH sequence and electives), foundations, general education (33 credits including composition, science, humanities, and art history), and a 30‑credit Art Education sequence culminating in a final directed teaching semester (DAE-510) plus a professional seminar (DAE-520). The catalog gives a recommended semester-by-semester plan (first through fifth years) listing required courses such as Darkroom Photography, Digital Photographic Methods, Lighting, Photobook, Junior Project, and a two‑part Photography Thesis, notes prerequisites and elective options, and specifies GPA minima (2.0 cumulative; 2.7 minimum for Art Education requirements) along with program rules, approved course lists, and guidance to use student self‑service for exact degree progress.
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Requirements
Catalog Year 26/27
Standard 4 1/2 Year Pathway (full-time status)
Total Credits 138-139
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 |
| DAE-315 Elementary Art Teaching: Meth, Math | 3 |
Fourth Year
Seventh Semester = 18 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 |
| DAE-407 Reading & Language Art Methods | 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 | 33.0 | 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 | 6.0 | 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 | 3.0 | Successfully complete 100-400 level courses from any Undergraduate subject (Studio or Lecture). |
| Art Eduction | 30.0 | Art Education required courses. |
| Art Education (DAE) | 15.0 | Successfully complete required credits DAE 200, 250, 315, 405 & 407 – before taking Directed Teaching & Seminar semester. |
| Art Education Elective | 3.0 | Successfully complete an approved undergraduate studio course to satisfy this requirement (prior to Directed Teaching/Seminar semester) |
| Art Education (DAE) Directed Teaching & Seminar | 12.0 | Successfully complete DAE 510 & 520 in final semester (all other BFA credit requirements should be satisfied prior). |
| Total Program Credits | 139.0 | Total credits required 138 – 139 ‡ |
| Undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts program, GPA minimum requirement = 2.0 Additional minimum GPA requirement for Art Education requirements = 2.7 | ||
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.