Photographic and Imaging Arts Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree
Photographic and Imaging Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree
- RIT /
- Rochester Institute of Technology /
- Academics /
- Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA
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.
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Apply for Fall 2026
First-year students can apply for Early Decision II by Jan. 1 to get an admissions and financial aid assessment by mid-January.
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.
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.
Featured Work and Profiles
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Multimedia Storytelling
As a photojournalist for a major daily newspaper, David Wallace ’01 Photojournalism Option (Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA) has produced compelling stories honored with prestigious awards.
Read More about Multimedia Storytelling -
Connecting Creatives
Will Moran '20 created Cabin Fever, an online publication highlighting worked created by artists while in quarantine.
Read More about Connecting Creatives -
Alumni Profile: Sam Cannon
Sam Cannon ’14 Sam Cannon '14 (fine art photography) is a New York City-based artist and director who creates short-form videos for huge brands like Gap, Nike and The New York Times.
Read More about Alumni Profile: Sam Cannon -
RIT x Magnum Visual Storytelling Course
Gregory Halpern, Ahndraya Parlato In the summer of 2025 at RIT, Ahndraya Parlato and I launched “A Short Course in Visual Storytelling,” a new collaboration between RIT and Magnum Photos.
Read More about RIT x Magnum Visual Storytelling Course -
RIT Pulitzer Prize Legacy: David Carson '94
David Carson '94 was part of the photography staff of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch honored with a Pulitzer Prize for its coverage following the police shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed black...
Read More about RIT Pulitzer Prize Legacy: David Carson '94 -
Photographing a who's who of celebrities
Kwaku Alston '94 (photography) was named RIT's Outstanding Alumnus for 2024-25 for his highly notable portraits of the likes of the Obamas, Beyoncé, Brad Pitt, Chadwick Boseman and LeBron James.
Read More about Photographing a who's who of celebrities
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
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
Accreditation
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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
School of Photographic Arts and Sciences

