Photographic and Imaging Arts Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree

Master photography in advertising, fine art, photojournalism, or visual media at RIT.


94%

Outcomes Rate of RIT Graduates from this degree

$40K

Median First-Year Salary of RIT Graduates from this degree


Overview for Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA

 Why Study Photography at RIT


  • Industry Exposure: The School of Photographic Arts and Sciences brings an array of 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.

  • Focused Degree Options: Options in advertising photography, fine art photography, photojournalism, and visual media.

RIT’s Photography BFA 

RIT’s photographic and imaging arts major has options in advertising photography, fine art photography, photojournalism, and visual media. Study photographic imaging with an immersive and hands-on approach geared toward creativity and innovation. Enrollment in photography classes begins on day one of the first year. Theoretical and experimental components lead to the development of broad-based skills required of professionals in today’s ever-changing image culture, art world, and industries.

With access to more than 150 unique photography, video, multimedia, web-based, and publication courses, students are challenged using real-world problems to produce successful real-world results.

Photographic imaging majors:

  • Participate in an educational community that includes required coursework in general studies and operates in an environment with both undergraduate and graduate students
  • Have access to the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences, which offers a wide array of visiting professionals, events, and talks, including the Charles Arnold Lecture Series and the RIT Big Shot, along with summer workshops.
  • May apply to the undeclared photography option if they are undecided on which photography major best meets their career aspirations and interests

Options

Advertising Photography Option

Be prepared for a diverse and rewarding career in the field of visual communications. Learn to create photographs and moving media for a wide range of commercial use in today’s fast-changing media environment. For more information on the advertising photography option, including samples of student work and alumni profiles, visit Advertising Photography Option–Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA.

Fine Art Photography

The fine art photography option prepares students for careers as visual artists, educators, editorial photographers, or freelance artists. Study the theoretical and practical skills needed to create thought-provoking and meaningful images develops technical, conceptual, and aesthetic abilities, and become a contemporary image-maker. For more information on the fine art photography option, including samples of student work and alumni profiles, visit Fine Art Photography Option–Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA.

Photojournalism

Produce non-fiction visual reporting that tells the stories of people, social issues and events for diverse and modern media outlets including digital and print. Learn to create and publish both still photographic reporting as well as moving and interactive media that document our diverse culture, evoking both the momentous and the everyday circumstances of contemporary life and society. For more information on the photojournalism option, including samples of student work and alumni profiles, visit Photojournalism Option–Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA.

Visual Media

Integrate the graphic communications professions of photography, media design, and business. Prepare for a career as a visual
 media specialist or other professional positions that have a demand for photographically skilled professionals who can work effectively with graphic designers, print media specialists, multimedia and social media professionals. For more information on the visual media option, including samples of student work and alumni profiles, visit Visual Media Option–Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA.


Furthering Your Education in Photography

Combined Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degrees

Today’s careers require advanced degrees grounded in real-world experience. RIT’s Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degrees enable you to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as little as five years of study, all while gaining the valuable hands-on experience that comes from co-ops, internships, research, study abroad, and more.

+1 MBA: Students who enroll in a qualifying undergraduate degree have the opportunity to add an MBA to their bachelor’s degree after their first year of study, depending on their program. Learn how the +1 MBA can accelerate your learning and position you for success.

Loading...

Careers and Experiential Learning

Typical Job Titles

Advertising Photographer Archivist Art Director
Branding Specialist Curator Editorial Photographer
Freelance Photographer Gallery Manager/Owner Graphic Designer
Image Retoucher Magazine Editor Multimedia Editor
Multimedia Journalist Photo Illustrator Photo/Picture Editor
Photojournalist Portrait Photographer Producer
Project Manager Publisher Social Media Strategist
Sports Photographer Studio Manager Videographer

Graduates work primarily in the Performing and Fine Arts industry.

Post-Graduation Salary and Career Info for Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA

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. It’s exposure–early and often–to a variety of professional work environments, career paths, and industries.  

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.

Cooperative education, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities are encouraged for students in the BFA in photographic and imaging arts.

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.

Co-op and Experiential Learning Options for Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA

Featured Work and Profiles

Curriculum for 2025-2026 for Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA

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

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

Related News

Contact

Program Contact
  • Christye Sisson
  • School Director and Gannett Chair
  • School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
  • College of Art and Design
  • 585‑475‑7197
  • cpspph@rit.edu