Program: Photography (BA) - American University

Apr 06, 2025

American University Catalog 2019-2020

Offered jointly by the Department of Art , College of Arts and Sciences , and the School of Communication , the Photography (BA) attracts students interested in all forms of photography from fine art to photojournalism. The program has a comprehensive curriculum that includes historical, theoretical, and practical approaches to photography. By program completion, students are knowledgeable about the evolution of photography; its adoption by distinct groups of individuals, from fine artists, commercial studios, and the general public; and photography’s changing role in the greater art world. Students relate technical developments in the medium to aesthetic and conceptual developments, citing movements and trends that also coincided with a broader art history. Through a final project and exhibition, students delve into a relevant topic of their choice and analyze it through a specific socio-cultural lens.

Admission to the Program

Students are admitted either to the School of Communication or to the Department of Art in the College of Arts and Sciences . Formal admission to the major requires a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 (on a 4.00 scale). Students should declare their major by the end of the sophomore year and no earlier than the end of the freshman year.

Students who are unable to achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 and declare a major in communication are not allowed to take courses in the school after they have completed 60 hours of undergraduate credit.

University Requirements

120 credit hours with minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 2 )
Completion of all requirements for a major (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 9 )

AU Core Requirements

Completion of AU Core foundation requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.2-8.6 )
Completion of AU Core Habits of Mind requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.7 )
Completion of AU Core integrative course requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.8-8.11 )

For additional information, see AU Core Curriculum .

Major Requirements

39 credit hours with grades of C or better, including 24 credit hours at or above 300-level
Related course requirements taken outside the School of Communication with grades of C or better:
Note: These courses are not included in the major GPA.
- 3 credit hours in United States history (HIST-xxx)
- 3 credit hours in economics (ECON-xxx) or MKTG-250
- Minor or second major outside the School of Communication
Minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA

Course Requirements

Introductory (3 credit hours)

Complete 3 credit hours from the following:

Core (9 credit hours)

History and Cultural Studies (6 credit hours)

Complete 6 credit hours from the following:

Intermediate (6 credit hours)

Complete 6 credit hours from the following:

ARTS-205 The Artist’s Perspective: Drawing FA1 (3) (if not taken to meet requirement above)
ARTS-470 Expanded Media Studio: Video and Photography (3)
COMM-476 Photojournalism and Social Documentary (3)
COMM-479 Fine Art Photography (3)

Portfolio Building (9 credit hours)

Complete 9 credit hours from the following:

Capstone (6 credit hours)

Related Requirements

Complete the following with grades of C or better:

Note: These course are not included in the major GPA.

United States History

Complete 3 credit hours from the following:

Economics or Marketing

Complete 3 credit hours from the following:

Outside Minor or Second Major

Minor or second major outside of the School of Communication

Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees

American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its combined bachelor’s/master’s programs. See Admission to a Combined Bachelor’s / Master’s Program and Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for more information.