Photography and Related Media Master of Fine Arts Degree
Earn your graduate photography degree at RIT, ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the 6th best fine arts school for a graduate degree in photography.
6th
Graduate Studies in Photography (MFA)
Overview for Photography and Related Media MFA
Learn from full-time faculty members who exhibit and publish in renowned national and international forums.
Scholarships and graduate assistantships that include opportunities to work as teaching assistants, archival and library assistants, faculty research assistants, gallery assistants, and more.
Dedicated graduate studio spaces, computer labs, and printers.
World-class photographic facilities, which recently underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation in 2021.
RIT's graduate degree in photography emphasizes an expansive interpretation of photography as a conceptual art form, with the intention of engaging and nurturing the individuality of each student in their continued development as innovative, critical artists in the world. Successful completion of the MFA in photography enables you to become a successful visual artist and to seek careers in education, archives, museum or gallery work, and as a professional photographer.
MFA in Photography
RIT's MFA in photography is among the best photo schools in the country. We are ranked 6th by U.S. News & World Report (2022) as one of the best fine arts school for a graduate degree in photography.
In the photography MFA, you'll refine your technical and artistic photographic skills while you create a new body of work. Ample time is spent creating work and refining your personal artistic vision. Elective courses are available in dynamic areas such as video, printmaking, painting, sculpture, communication design, crafts, bookmaking, graphic design, new media, computer graphics, art history, and archival preservation and conservation. Students also have opportunities to enhance their studies through independent studies and internships.
Graduate Photography Thesis
Your MFA in photography culminates in a graduate thesis exhibition, where you will install and exhibit an original body of work. The thesis publication is documentation of the thesis project, which must be submitted in digital form. It must contain an extended artist statement and a presentation of the majority of thesis artwork. The thesis defense is a public presentation made by the student, in explanation of the thesis project, creative research, and exhibition.
Photography Faculty
Our full-time faculty members, all critically regarded for their artistic work in exhibition and publication, contribute to the MFA in photography. The faculty brings individual expertise and dedication to their work with graduate students, encouraging intellectual inquiry of contemporary art-making practices and aesthetics. The MFA in photography is supported by faculty members from the RIT's School of Photographic Arts and Sciences and School of Art, as well as adjunct faculty who are noted regional, national, and international practitioners, critics, and historians.
World-Class Photography Studios and Facilities
You'll spend time creating in a range of top facilities designed for you to explore, learn, and develop your photography skills and techniques. The William Harris Gallery supports the exhibition of graduate thesis work, student work, and the works of contemporary image-makers. It maintains a calendar of exhibitions, public lectures, and receptions. Importantly, it also provides real-world experience for graduate students to learn firsthand about gallery operations, installation, and marketing and communications as a gallery manager or staff member.
The Photo Cage puts state-of-the-art photography equipment right at your fingertips. It includes a range of equipment you can checkout for your use, including cameras (DSLR, film, medium- and large-format), video cameras, and camera accessories including lights, audio recorders, computers, monitors, tripods, rigs, cine rails, and more.
In addition to gallery spaces, students have open access to dedicated studio spaces and world-class imaging equipment, including:
- Professional gallery spaces
- Kreonite analog color processor
- Lambda digital chromogenic processor
- Alternative process facilities and chemicals
- Black and white and color darkrooms
- Lighting studios
- 35mm, medium, and large format film cameras
- 35mm and medium format digital cameras
- Video equipment, such as Ronin stabilizers, dollies, and more
- Sound equipment and dedicated recording studio
- Access to printmaking, glass, woodshop, and other art-making facilities
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Earn your master’s degree without the full price tag. With Master Up you can receive a 30% tuition scholarship for an RIT master’s degree.
Careers and Experiential Learning
Cooperative Education and Internships
What makes an RIT education exceptional? It’s the ability to complete relevant, hands-on career experience. At the graduate level, and paired with an advanced degree, cooperative education and internships give you the unparalleled credentials that truly set you apart. Learn more about graduate co-op and how it provides you with the career experience employers look for in their next top hires.
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 graduate students in the MFA in photography and related media.
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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Photographic Sculpture
Hugo Teixeira "Dog Days on the Chaparral" is an installation comprised of three photographic sculptures made in response to the question, “where are you from?” Although I define myself as both Portuguese...
Read More about Photographic Sculpture -
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 -
Art and sustainability: Growing a photographic garden
The photo MFA program's commitment to sustainable practices includes a "photographic garden" containing plants that students and faculty can use for various photographic processes.
Read More about Art and sustainability: Growing a photographic garden -
New York City Trip-2024
Gregory Halpern This year's Fine Art Trip to New York City.
Read More about New York City Trip-2024 -
Graduate student connects with Rochester's famed photo history
With Rochester at the epicenter of historical photography, C. Rose Smith has leveraged all that the area has to offer during her studies at RIT.
Read More about Graduate student connects with Rochester's famed photo history -
MFA candidate's photography analyzes environmental future
After working in psychology, Nathan Rochefort found a new calling to provide visual context for how the future is envisioned during a time of environmental uncertainty.
Read More about MFA candidate's photography analyzes environmental future
Curriculum for 2025-2026 for Photography and Related Media MFA
Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements
Photography and Related Media MFA
The curriculum below outlines the typical course sequence(s) for this program.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| PHGR-701 | Histories and Aesthetics of Photography I | 3 |
| PHGR-703 | Studio Core I | 6 |
| PHGR-716 | Integrated Practices I | 3 |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHGR-702 | Histories and Aesthetics of Photography II | 3 |
| PHGR-704 | Studio Core II | 6 |
| Professional Elective 1 | 3 | |
| CAD Studio Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHGR-721 | Research Core I | 3 |
| PHGR-724 | Professional Development for the Emerging Artist | 3 |
| PHGR-890 | Thesis | 6 |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHGR-723 | Research Core II | 3 |
| PHGR-890 | Thesis | 6 |
| Open Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
- 1
Professional Electives are graduate studio courses offered in Photography and Related Media Program (PHGR).
- 2
CAD Studio Electives are graduate courses offered by CAD that are designated with studio/lab hours in the course description.
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Admissions and Financial Aid
This program is available on-campus only.
| Offered | Admit Term(s) | Application Deadline | STEM Designated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full‑time | Fall | February 1 priority deadline, rolling thereafter | No |
Full-time study is 9+ semester credit hours. International students requiring a visa to study at the RIT Rochester campus must study full‑time.
Application Details
To be considered for admission to the Photography and Related Media MFA program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete an online graduate application.
- Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
- Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) is recommended.
- Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.
- Submit two letters of recommendation.
- Entrance exam requirements: None
- Submit a portfolio. View portfolio requirements.
- Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, etc.), if required. Details are below.
English Language Test Scores
International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver.
Duolingo (DET): 130
IELTS: 6.5
LanguageCert Academic: 74
PTE Academic: 60
TOEFL: 88
International students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Deaf and hard-of-hearing test takers with significant hearing loss do not need to take the listening and speaking sections for the TOEFL and IELTS. Each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses.
How to Apply Start or Manage Your Application
Cost and Financial Aid
An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method. View the general cost of attendance or estimate the cost of your graduate degree.
A combination of sources can help fund your graduate degree. Learn how to fund your degree
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