Photography Associate in Science

The Associate of Science Degree in Photography is designed so that students may satisfy the requirements for graduation from the College, transfer to a four-year program, or go to work directly in the field. The program includes significant laboratory components that provide students the opportunity to work with professional equipment and software in real world facilities to prepare them for professions in applied photography and related industries.

We expect 8-10 students to complete this program annually.

In the Bay Area, photography and related skills are in strong demand at corporations such as Airbnb, Instagram, real estate and staging firms, commercial real estate, architectural firms, project management firms, publications for editorial and news assignments, portraiture studios and more. Students also pursue independent businesses in event photography, photo editing, retouching and perform their own photography for small business and ecommerce. Courses that make up this degree prepare students for work in professional photography, capture and post production.

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Employ the traditional tools and techniques of photography.
• Use digital hardware and software technologies in photography.
• Apply design concepts and iterative processes of photography.
• Apply specific photographic business practices.

Students who wish to earn the Associate in Science in Photography (AS) must complete required units with at least a 2.0 grade point average. This must include the units required for full completion of the IGETC or CSU GE curriculum and for the major as specified below. Each course in the major must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. Courses used to meet the major requirement may also be used to meet IGETC or CSU GE requirements.

COURSE	UNITS	SEQUENCE
PHOT 51 - Beginning Photography	3	Y1, S1 or S2
PHOT100 - Design Fundamentals	3	Y1, S1 or S2
PHOT 52 - Photographers and Their Images	1	Y1, S1 or S2
PHOT50A - History and Aesthetics of Photography Pre 1945 or PHOT50B - History and Aesthetics of Photography After 1945 or PHOT 40 - Photography As Activism	3-4	Y1, S1 or S2
PHOT 80 - Outdoor and Ambient Lighting	3	Y1, S1 or S2
PHOT 85A - Beginning Lighting	4	Y1, S1 or S2
PHOT 81D - Intermediate Photography Digital or PHOT 81A - Intermediate Photography BW	4	Y1, S1 or S2
PHOT 60A - Photoshop for Photographers 1	3	Y1, S1 or S2
PHOT 99 - Business Practices of Photography	3	Y2, S1
PHOT 85B - Advanced Studio Lighting or PHOT 90 – Portraiture or PHOT 92 - Fashion Photography	4	Y2, S1 or S2
PHOT 83 - View Camera or PHOT 102C - Phase One Capture One	2	Y2, S1 or S2
PHOT 60B - Intermediate Photoshop or PHOT 81B - Advanced BW Darkroom	3-4	Y2, S2
PHOT 130 - Portfolio Production	3	Y2, S2
PHOT 93 - Editorial Photography or PHOT 102B - Documentary and News or PHOT 102A - Architectural Photography or PHOT 102D - Beginning Drone Piloting and Imaging	2	Y2, S1 or S2
PHOT or DSGN Electives	2-3	Y2, S1 or S2
TOTAL	43-46 units

This program seeks to contribute to enrollment growth and development of in-demand programs for degree/transfer and workforce markets.

We are the most comprehensive program attracting students from other institutions such as Foothill College, Skyline College and Laney College that have smaller programs but are not as comprehensive and are outside of San Francisco proper. San Francisco State University offers a BFA degree in Studio Arts, but it is not vocationally focused and we serve many of their students. The Academy of Art University offers a degree in Photography; however, it is over $25,000 a year. City College San Francisco serves a separate urban population.