Photojournalism Option - Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA

RIT's photojournalism degree prepares you to produce non-fiction visual reporting that tells the stories of people, social issues, and events for modern media outlets.


Overview for Photojournalism Option - Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA

Why Study Photojournalism at RIT


  • Industry Exposure: The School of Photographic Arts and Sciences brings various visiting professionals, events, and talks.

  • Gain Real-World Experience: Gain hands-on experience in the classroom and through paid work opportunities like internships and co-op.

The photojournalism degree teaches students to create and publish still photographic reporting and moving and interactive media that document our diverse culture, evoking both the every day and momentous circumstances of contemporary life and society. This option is part of the Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA program.

RIT’s Bachelor's Degree in Photojournalism 

The photojournalism option allows flexibility and individual specialization where students can focus on their primary interest. Students take required courses in:

  • Photojournalism fundamentals
  • Picture editing
  • Multimedia, including sound, video gathering, and video editing

Students then may choose to take extra courses in an area in which they want further specialization, including:

  • Picture editing
  • Still photojournalism fieldwork
  • Multimedia storytelling

Students contribute to the creation of special publications centered on community activity and awareness, and provide staff support to RIT’s student-run magazine, The Reporter. Students also have the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., and New York to meet with potential employers that represent the wide spectrum where photojournalists currently work.

National Press Photographers Association

Photojournalism students are the driving force in the school's National Press Photographers Associate (NPPA) student chapter. Students regularly attend activities sponsored by the NPPA, including regional and national conferences. The chapter manages a yearly contest of student work that is judged by alumni who also share their experiences in photojournalism and review student portfolios. The chapters also hosts guest speakers. The RIT student chapter was awarded the nation’s top chapter by the NPPA in 2016.

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Careers and Experiential Learning

Typical Job Titles

Director of Photography Multimedia Editor Multimedia Journalist
Multimedia Producer Photojournalist Picture Editor
Picture Researcher Visual Archivist

Cooperative Education and Internships

What’s different about an RIT education? It’s the career experience you gain by completing cooperative education and internships with top companies in every single industry. You’ll earn more than a degree. You’ll gain real-world career experience that sets you apart.

Co-ops and internships take your knowledge and turn it into know-how. Co-op in the College of Art and Design provides hands-on experience that enables you to apply your artistic capabilities in dynamic professional settings while you make valuable connections between classwork and real-world applications.

Photojournalism Internships: Students apply for internships as photographers, videographers, editors, and producers with some of the nation’s most respected digital and print publications, as well as other types of organizations. Visual storytelling is central in a rapidly evolving world and the types of positions for which our students apply continues to expand dramatically. In these positions, students work collaboratively and have the opportunity to learn from leading industry professionals. Students receive assistance from their professors, as well as from the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education, in identifying and applying for internships. Internships provide real-world work experience, which is an invaluable part of students’ educational experience. 

Career Opportunities in Photojournalism

Photojournalism graduates go on to work for some of today’s leading digital and print publications, as well in other types of organizations that capitalize on our students' visual storytelling skills. Our graduates are regularly recognized for their outstanding work. Eleven alumni have won a combined 15 Pulitzer Prizes for their work in visual journalism. View the work of our Pulitzer Prize-winning alumni

In addition to photographers and videographers, many graduates are employed as picture editors, website producers, content curators, archivists, social media producers, and filmmakers. A significant number of graduates also become self-employed freelance photographers, videographers, and editors who work with news and editorial organizations, picture agencies, production companies, non-profits, government agencies, and other types of organizations.

Creative Industry Days

Connect with Design Industry Leaders

RIT’s Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education hosts Creative Industry Days, which connects students majoring in art, design, film and animation, photography, and select computing majors with companies, organizations, creative agencies, design firms, and more. Creative Industry Days are a series of events that allow you to network with company representatives and interview directly for open co-op and full-time employment positions.

Featured Work and Profiles

Admissions and Financial Aid

This option is part of the Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA. Please visit the degree program page for admission requirements.

Learn How to Apply

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

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  • August 13, 2024

    Donald Trump holds his hand up in a fist as he is taken off the stage by bodyguards after a failed assasination attempt.

    Alumnus captures iconic moment on 2024 presidential campaign trail

    The duty of a photojournalist is to document current events as they unfold and act as the “eyes of history,” according to Evan Vucci. That belief helped Vucci keep his focus when he ran toward the danger on July 13 to photograph former President Donald Trump moments after a failed assassination attempt.

Contact

Program Contact
Jenn Poggi, Associate Professor