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Photography, Bachelor of Fine Arts

Art and Design
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Overview

The Bachelor of Fine Art (B.F.A.) in Photography at St. John's University provides you with the skills you need to succeed in a wide variety of career options. You develop mastery of the technical aspects of the photographic medium, as well as a strong philosophical and historical foundation in the visual arts and its impact on contemporary social and visual culture. 

Affiliated with the International Center of Photography (ICP) in New York City, our B.F.A. in Photography offers you the technical and conceptual training necessary to master both analog and digital techniques while developing your individual critical and creative abilities. You have access to internships in a wide variety of professional settings in New York, as well as the opportunity to obtain ICP certification. 

The strong liberal arts foundation we provide sets St. John's apart from other art schools because you graduate with the skills you need to succeed in a variety of fields. We prepare you to “think outside the box” and critically solve complex problems, making you an ideal leader in a complex global society. 

St. John’s University has attained the prestigious National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) accreditation, held by selective art schools nationwide. 

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More Information

In addition to applying to St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, B.F.A. candidates in Photography must submit their portfolio of original artwork to the Department of Art and Design via SlideRoom. This online portfolio service allows you to upload, label, arrange, and submit your portfolio electronically to faculty reviewers. We request 12-15 images using JPG format, but also accept other file types as per the instructions on the SlideRoom portal. Specific instructions for your portfolio upload are available on the department page, and in SlideRoom.

After completing the St. John's Undergraduate Application, you will be able to upload your images via SlideRoom.

Portfolios and applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but you must submit your portfolio via SlideRoom on or before January 15 to be considered for one of the visual art scholarships. For early action, please submit your portfolio via SlideRoom by December 15.

Please contact the Department Chair directly at [email protected] with any questions regarding this process.

For more information about admission to this and other acclaimed undergraduate programs at St. John's University, please visit Undergraduate Admission.

The Department of Art and Design awards two full-time, four-year scholarships to first-year students who demonstrate extraordinary proficiency and creative potential in their portfolio submission and have met the academic requirements of St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Three additional first-year students who demonstrate excellence in the visual arts are offered a $1,000 incentive scholarship. Students are selected through the portfolio review process and must submit their portfolio in our SlideRoom portal by January 15 to be considered. For more information, contact Nerissa Palad-Palermo at 718-990-6250 or [email protected]

Required Studio Courses*

CourseCourse #Title
ART1105Introduction to Graphic Design
ART1110Foundation Design
ART1610Photography I
ART1620Photography II
ART1630Advanced Digital Photography & Imaging
ART1650Analog Photography & Experimentation
ART2650The Photograph as Document
OR
ART4953Independent Student
ART2655Analog Photography II or ICP 1005*
ART3560Studio Seminar I or ICP 1006*
ART4110Studio Seminar II or ICP 1007*
ART4112Professional Practices or ART 3110 Professional Portfolio or ICP 1008*
ART3010Special Topics in Studio Art or ICP 1009*
ICP1000 
ICP1001 
ICP1002 
ICP1003 
ICP1004 

*Please note that studio art courses meet for six hours per week.

Required Art History Courses

CourseCourse #Title
ART1660History of Photography 
ART3710Contemporary Photography
ART History Elective

Art Electives (9 credits of studio or art history electives)

Choose one of the below:

CourseCourse #TitleCredits
ART4125Creative Thesis9
ART4909Internship9

Required Core Curriculum Courses

  • DNY 1000C
  • ENG 1000C
  • ENG 1100C
  • HIS 1000C
  • MFL Electives (2)
  • MTH 1000C
  • PHI 1000C
  • PHI 2200C
  • PHI 3000C
  • SCI 1000C
  • One social science elective from: ANT, ECO, GEO, GOV, LIN, PSY, or SOC
  • SPE 1000C
  • THE 1000C
  • THE 2000's choose one
  • THE 3000's choose one

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