Photographic Arts Exploration
Spend up to a year exploring RIT’s photography majors as you decide which program best matches your career goals.
Overview for Photographic Arts Exploration
For students interested in photography but unsure which major best meets their career aspirations, the photographic arts exploration option provides you with an overview of the two photography majors and their options. Students will learn about the curriculum, course work, and career paths associated with the BFA in photographic and imaging arts (with options in advertising photography, fine art photography, photojournalism, or visual media) and the BS in photographic sciences. This exploration option allows you to take up to a year to learn about each major while you complete general education and liberal arts courses.
Featured Work and Profiles
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RIT in NYC Program Brings Students to Center of Creative Universe
Laurie O Brien The RIT in NYC study away experience allows School of Photographic Arts and Sciences students to draw limitless inspiration from the epicenter of the creative industry.
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Students document the spirit of Special Olympics Winter Games
Nearly 60 RIT students and 20 alumni and faculty members helped document the 2026 Winter Games as part of an ongoing collaboration with Special Olympics New York.
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Veteran finds peace (and future) in photography
When Juan Hernandez-Guerrero's '26 military service concluded, he searched for ways to “clear my head and find some peace” as a veteran. He found serenity in photography, and he's showing fellow...
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Inside a photoshoot with the Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen, Dion Dawkins and more Buffalo Bills players were on the receiving end of Associate Professor Clay Patrick McBride's tintype portraits.
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RIT in NYC program places students in creative hub
Shannon Lesch '26 (visual media) gained confidence snd experience by spending a semester connecting with industry professionals through the RIT in NYC study away program.
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Ophthalmic photography career takes shape at RIT
Melanie Ng '26 turned her experience in RIT's photographic sciences program and a co-op in New York City into a full-time job at Massachusetts Eye and Ear after graduation.
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Curriculum for 2025-2026 for Photographic Arts Exploration
Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements
Admissions and Financial Aid
First-Year Admission
First-year applicants are expected to demonstrate a strong academic background that includes:
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of social studies and/or history
- 3-4 years of mathematics
- 2-3 years of science
Financial Aid and Scholarships
100% of all incoming first-year and transfer students receive aid.
RIT’s personalized and comprehensive financial aid program includes scholarships, grants, loans, and campus employment programs. When all these are put to work, your actual cost may be much lower than the published estimated cost of attendance.
Learn more about financial aid and scholarships
Related News
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July 9, 2026
‘Old process. New legends.’ Inside RIT professor’s photoshoot with the Buffalo Bills
Associate Professor Clay Patrick McBride spent a day with the Buffalo Bills, deploying an antique photographic process to make unique portraits of the NFL team's stars.
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May 8, 2026
Army veteran finds peace, and future, in photography
When Juan Hernandez-Guerrero's '26 seven-year Army service concluded, like many veterans, he searched for ways to “clear my head and find some peace.” He found serenity in photography, and he's showing fellow veterans how it helped him.
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January 12, 2026
Campus exhibition highlights photo faculty's career evolution
"Evolve or Devolve" in University Gallery is a solo exhibition tracing Assistant Professor James Porto’s artistic journey from early innovations with analog photorealistic composites through the adoption of emerging digital tools. It's on view through Feb. 6.
