Good reputable schools that offers a BA in Photography?

[Paul Chaplo]

RIT is awesome, I earned my M.F.A. in Photography there. But, as in all things, budgets force a reality check. As an alternative to the top "academies", consider getting a degree at a State university in related discipline (art, design, marketing, psychology, anthroplogy -- my definition of 'related' is quite broad. Take advantage of state U's great tuition! Then, assist the best shooter you can find. Need some specialized training? Take workshops. Do tons of personal work. Experiment! I encourage you to use college to widen your horizons. Judging from what I've seen, I say avoid just assisting -- take classes in art, etc. that can make more than a technician -- these experiences will give you perspective (no LF pun intended) and a sense of context. Visit museums regularly. Judging from your planning, you have a good head on you shoulders. Make your own program!

[Erik The Viking]

The sad fact is that as a foreign student, you'd pay full-scale fees regardless of whether it is a state-supported school or private. That's right, it'd be expensive whichever way you choose. The public universities are cheaper compared to the private schools. The cheapest alternative are the community colleges like LACC or Santa Monica College or City College of San Francisco. For a two year, AA or Certificate programme you pay about $156 per unit (residents pay only $13 per unit!!). For a 12 unit minimum load per 18-week semester, you're looking at 12X$156 plus miscellaneous fees.

In a four-year college, if you get a very high GPA, you may be able to win an international student's scholarship from the uni. That usually means free tuition for the next semester or academic year. Competition is very very keen as you are up against other hard-up foreign students.

If looking for a well-rounded education is not your goal, consider Portfolio Center or Creative Circus, both in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. These are professional trade schools in advertising that train you in the technical and business aspects of photography and related subjects. No, you won't know your Homer and Virgil upon graduation. But you may have a nice portfolio at the end of two years.

That said, I wonder if you'd consider your own local Temasek Polytechnique. I believe that its School of Design provides a photography specialisation under its aegis.

If you look at the comments of your compatriots John Clang's on PDNONLINE, perhaps you would realise that formal training in photography is not always required to succeed in the buz. Hard work and a quick mind help.

After all, a $120 Gs spent at Art Center College of Design can buy you a lot of fancy equipment. And I know of a few Art Center graduates who end up pushing cameras in a camera store. So you see, it is no guarantee that spending lots of money on a diploma buys you quality. In this biz., only a great portfolio counts. That and a sense of resposibility and a good character go a long way.

[Erik The Viking]

Okay, one more for completeness' sake: Emily Carr School of Design in Vancouver, I believe.

[Andre Noble]

Now I know what my problem is. It's my sense of resposibility.

[Kat_2594]

You really should consider Art Center. Just think that the money that you will b e spending on tuition, you will probably make it back the first year you graduate. Many pleople in the creative world will know what the Art Center teaches and respect that thus giving you the advantage over the "freelanc er". The competition in photography is tuff but not many students graduate a year from the art center.

Kat

.......... remember the schhool doesn't make you a great photographer but cre ativity and talent does!!!!

[Robert A. Zeichner]

I would have to agree with Kat. As a graduate of Pratt Institute, I can remember all the hype about how much demand there is for a graduate from there. While I'm certainly happy with what I got out of school, from the perspective of learning about photography (in particular, fine art photography), I could have obtained far more from investing just a fraction of my parents money in a couple of years worth of workshops. No one cares a nit about my degree. They look at my work and that tells them all they need to know.

Think about it. You could spend two years just touring the States and learning from the very best in the field. You could learn view camera technique, printing, alternative processes, architectural, nudes, landscape, color, b&w, digital, the list is endless. You wouldn't end up with a degree, but you might come away with more! And you could experience first hand, how various masters work. I'm certain the cost would be a fraction of tuition. You'll get to see a lot of the country as well. Just a thought.

[Jorge Gasteazoro]

Sam Houston State U in Huntsville TX, they have an excellent program, is a state university and I personally have met many graduates from there who appeared to have gotten a superb education.

[Martin Loft]

Greetings....There's also Concordia University in Montreal. Does anyone know of a "distance learning" BFA program on the Net? As in lectures and assignments submitted via computer. There seems to be a program for just about everthing else.

[Hovig Boghossian]

Ok. Forget about $$$ problem. You don't need to travel also. type: www.nyip.com
it's just a mouse click away. I graduated in 2004 and I say go for it.
New York Institute of Photography,that's all what you need. You want digital, LF or 35mm, Pro or hobbyist, it's all their.
I'm sure you will be as satisfied as I am.
Good luck.
Hovig

[Turner Reich]

If you always wanted to be a president of a country or an astronaut then Art Center College of Design is for you. It's like the Marine Corp. boot camp though. I know I went there. I found Brooks Institute better for me and the area is much nicer.

Remember getting a great education on the cheap is not an option. If you are going to hack away in a noname school and rack up a bunch of loans, that would be a step back and not forward.

Go for a great school, your best chance at the top positions, or assist to an existing photographer. Remember that some credential might be handy in the future, like a college degree on paper with accrediation.

OK, what about education? Well I went to high school... And I was assistant to Jim Beam. What did you do for Mr. Beam? Well I loaded film in his camera and carried his equipment. and so it goes...

OK, what about education? I went to ACCD. Ok to start on Monday?
OK, what about education? I went to Brooks Institute of Photography. Ok to start on Monday?


Good Luck

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