Photography Degree
At Montgomery College, you'll gain hands-on, practical skills in photography from seasoned industry professionals.
Enroll at MC and set your sights on a successful career in photography—industrial, commercial, portrait, lab technician—or management of photographic services.
Our curriculum provides a balanced aesthetic and technical foundation for immediate entry into the professional field or for further study. We ensure a seamless transfer to prestigious institutions across the US.
Photography courses include a variety of training opportunities with portrait photography, image editing, photojournalism, and more.
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, a student will be able to:
- Utilize current digital imaging technology to produce photographic images for use in commercial or fine art applications while also demonstrating an aesthetic understanding of historical film and print photography.
- Employ complex aesthetic strategies in visual problem solving methodologies that utilize a wide variety of lighting applications for use in studio, architectural, fine art, and varied commercial environments.
- Pursue academic research that involves complex evaluations of photographic ideas and applications of commercial and/or fine art photographs for the purpose of designing and implementing a career development strategy appropriate to the student's desired field of expertise in photography.
- Create and implement complex production strategies that require interdisciplinary applications of image production. These interdisciplinary applications with photography may include television production, web design, or graphic design.
Program Advising
Meet with your academic advisor regularly to discuss your academic plans and make sure you are on track to graduate and/or transfer. The program advising guide outlines the degree requirements and is meant to supplement the advising process.
Transfer Opportunities
MC has a long history of successfully preparing students for transfer to four-year institutions. See all transfer agreements.
Careers
For some positions listed, a bachelor's degree or higher may be required. Use the Career and Program Explorer to see a full report for this career field. See links below chart for further guidance and/or connect with a Program Advisor to discuss career goals.
Photographers use their technical expertise, creativity, and composition skills to produce and preserve images that tell a story or record an event.
- MC Student Employment Services: Speak with the Student Employment Specialist for help with resume writing, interviewing, setting up a College Central Network (CCN)new window account and other job search topics.
- Career Coach: Explore Career Coach to learn more about this career and/or discover related majors and in-demand careers based on your current interests! Take a Career Assessment and then browse careers and job opportunities in the area.
Curriculum
A suggested two-year course sequence for students in Photography follows
- All students should review the advising guide and consult an advisor.
- Find out about related programs and course in the Fields of Study section.
- Most courses have either assessment levels that must be met or prerequisites (courses that must be taken first). Part-time students and those who need to meet assessment levels or take prerequisite courses will take longer to complete a degree. An advisor will help make sure you are taking your courses in the right order.
- All degree-seeking students must take a central group of General Education courses in English, mathematics, arts, behavioral and social sciences, humanities, and science. These courses are included in the suggested course sequence below.
Suggested Course Sequence
Students should complete the required English and Math foundation courses within the first 24 credit hours. A suggested course sequence for full-time students follows. All students should review the Program Advising Guide and consult an advisor.
First Semester
- ENGL 101 - Introduction to College Writing 3 semester hours
- GDES 116 - Digital Tools for the Visual Arts 4 semester hours (ARTD or HUMD)
- COMM 108 - Foundations of Human Communication 3 semester hours (GEEL)
-
OR
- COMM 112 - Business and Professional Speech Communication 3 semester hours (GEEL)
- PHOT 161 - Introduction to Digital Photography 3 semester hours
Second Semester
- English Foundation 3 semester hours (ENGF)
- Mathematics Foundation 3 semester hours (MATF)
- PHOT 201 - Photography II 4 semester hours
- PHOT 214 - Photoshop for Graphics and Photography 4 semester hours
Third Semester
- Behavioral and Social Sciences Distribution 3 semester hours (BSSD)
- Natural Sciences Distribution with Lab 4 semester hours (NSLD) ‡
- PHOT 251 - Portrait and Fashion Photography 3 semester hours
- PHOT 265 - Advanced Color/Black and White Imaging 3 semester hours
- TVRA 134 - Media Appreciation 3 semester hours
Fourth Semester
- GDES 218 - Graphic Design for the Web 4 semester hours
- PHOT 210 - Photojournalism 3 semester hours
- PHOT 269 - Special Photography Assignment 1-4 semester hours
- PHOT 275 - Business Practices and Portfolio Development 3 semester hours
- PHOT 277 - Advanced Concepts in Digital Capture 3 semester hours
* ENGL 101/ENGL 101A3 semester hours if needed for ENGL 102/ENGL 103 or elective.
** AAS programs require one 3-credit Arts or Humanities General Education course.
‡ BIOL 105 & BIOL 106 are recommended.
‡‡ PHOT 269 must be taken for a total of 4 credits.
Related Programs and Courses
General Studies Degree
Students who major in general studies explore personal, professional, and academic areas of interest within a flexible framework supporting transfer.
Workforce Development and Continuing Education
MC offers a wide variety of noncredit classes. These courses are designed to help you upgrade your skills, pursue career training, or learn something new.