Photography, Associate of Arts

The Associate of Arts in Photography provides students with strong foundational coursework, emphasizing photographic concepts and camera handling techniques needed to enter the field. Students benefit from instructors who are working professionals in the field. Students receive hands-on experience in studio practices and current industry software to create projects for the real world. The award culminates in a professional portfolio that could be used to obtain employment. The award is primarily designed for students interested in entering the photography field and for students pursuing entry-level job opportunities related to photography. 

The award offers a wide range of theory, technique, and skills coursework from beginning through advanced levels that is structured to emphasize the development of creative expression, visual awareness, and technical skills required to enter the photography field or to prepare for transfer to four-year and private institutions. With an emphasis on process, conceptual strategy, and professional practices, students are given broad opportunities to develop a unique voice, vision, and viewpoint. Working with photography and illustration, students create images to illustrate a client’s needs. Using both print and digital formats they produce projects that demonstrate an understanding of visual communication. This diverse body of work is refined into a strategic professional portfolio aimed at accomplishing each student’s educational and employment goals.

Based on 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 enrollment data, the estimated completer projection of students to earn the award annually is 20 students.

The Photography major at San Diego City College is one of six programs in the Visual and Performing Arts department. The program provides students with strong foundational coursework, emphasizing photographic concepts, and camera handling techniques needed to enter the field. The program offers a wide range of theory, technique, and skills course work from beginning through advanced levels. Students benefit from instructors who are working professionals in the field and hands-on experience in studio practices and current industry software to create projects for the real world. The program is structured to emphasize the development of creative expression, visual awareness, and technical skills  and culminates in a professional portfolio that could be used to obtain employment. The photography program is designed for students interested in entering the photography field and for students pursuing entry-level job opportunities related to photography. Additionally, students following the associate degree path are provided the essential studies and skills needed to transfer to a private or public four-year program.

Students must complete the 41 core units in addition to the general education requirements to earn the degree