Photography

Career potential

Do you enjoy taking pictures? Are you creative? Do you have artistic vision? Do you possess strong technical and/or entrepreneurial skills? These are the characteristics necessary to have a successful career as a photographer.

The photography program at the University of North Texas emphasizes intellectual, technical and creative growth. Art photographers are often self-employed, selling and exhibiting their work in galleries. Many photographers also use their creative skills in commercial photography, taking photographs for catalogs and for print advertisements.

At UNT, you can pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art with a concentration in photography. You do not need an advanced degree to become a photographer, but teaching photography at the college level requires a Master of Fine Arts degree. Graduates of our photography program use their creative, technical and professional skills in a variety of careers becoming:

• artists
• freelance and commercial photographers
• gallery and museum professionals

UNT's Career Center can help prepare you to pursue a career. The center has information about jobs and employers, and the staff can help you with resume and letter writing, job search strategies, and interview preparation.

Majoring in Photography

Our course work will expose you to a wide variety of photographic practices ranging from historical printing processes to contemporary web technology. You will be empowered through the development of self discipline, cultural awareness, personal voice and professional practice.

As a photography major, you will take courses that will give you the conceptual and technical skills necessary to excel as a photographer including:

• art history
• digital and traditional techniques in photography
• painting
• printmaking
• sculpture

Although you are not required to have a minor area of study, a wide variety of minors are available.

A portfolio is not required for admission to UNT or the College of Visual Art and Design. However, you will need to participate in an entry review while enrolled in Photography II. Transfer students should be prepared to show a portfolio during transfer orientation to determine appropriate placement in our program. Further information regarding the reviews is available from our photography faculty. Senior students participate in a Senior B.F.A. group exhibition that serves as the exit review for this degree.

You will have pre-major status on arrival to UNT. Information about progressing into major status is available at art.unt.edu or in the UNT Undergraduate Catalog at catalog.unt.edu.

Our photography faculty members are professionally active artists/scholars whose works are displayed in the Bibliothéque nationale de France in Paris, the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth and the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston.

Our continuing students can apply for scholarships awarded by the college based on their performance in their chosen field of study. Other academic scholarships are available through UNT’s Student Financial Aid and Scholarships office.

If you live on campus, you can become part of our Residents Engaged in Academic Living (REAL) Community for art students. This living-learning community brings students with the same interests together with a faculty member and enhances your academic and social experiences. More information about the REAL Community is online at www.unt.edu/housing.

The College of Visual Arts and Design

The College of Visual Arts and Design is one of the nation’s most comprehensive visual arts schools and is one of the best in the Southwest. Our programs are grouped into the departments of art history/art education, design and studio art. Photography is among the programs in the Department of Studio Art.

We are nationally accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, Va. 20190-5248; 703- 437-0700). This means our college has met or exceeded high standards of academic excellence.

To provide additional insights and knowledge, we bring numerous renowned artists, designers and scholars to campus.

Our facilities occupy 150,000 square feet in six buildings and include large format digital printers, up-to-date computer labs, a lighting studio as well as black-and-white, color and alternative processes wet labs. Opportunities to exhibit work in on-campus galleries exist through a juried application processes.

Getting hands-on experience

Our proximity to Dallas and Forth Worth can provide you with a wealth of experiences and resources such as renowned art museums and galleries. Internships with area galleries and photographers are available if you wish to earn credit through work experience. Frequently, our students find employment after graduation as a result of contacts made during these internships.

You may also find an internship with the assistance of our nationally accredited Internships and Cooperative Education office. Visit internships.unt.edu for more information about the office.

Preparing for UNT: High school students

We encourage you to fulfill the graduation requirements for the Recommended Program or the Distinguished Achievement Program in high school.

In your junior year, take the SAT or the ACT and have your scores sent to UNT.

In your senior year, submit your application for admission by March 1 (apply online at www.applytexas.org) and request that your high school transcript be sent to the UNT admissions office.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses can count toward college credit at UNT. For details, visit www.unt.edu/credit.

Preparing for UNT: Transfer students

As a benefit for transfer students, we participate in the Texas Common Course Numbering System. This system makes it easier to transfer credits for general academic courses from one Texas institution to another.

If you’re attending a Texas community college, you should consult our Transfer Articulation web page, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor/advisor to discuss your degree plan. Proper planning will help you receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

Our Transfer Center will help you make a successful transition to college life at UNT by connecting you to a peer mentor and other valuable campus resources. Each year, we welcome more transfer students than any other institution in the state. The center is in the University Union, Room 320. More information is at transfercenter.unt.edu.

Charting your path with academic advising

You must attend an orientation to the College of Visual Arts and Design, which is held at about the same time as university orientation for new students or during registration at the start of each semester. Check nsp.unt.edu for a schedule of orientations.

The College of Visual Arts and Design Student Services Office is in the Art Building, Room 111.

You can also utilize our new online degree audit system. This interactive tool can help you stay on track for graduation and prepare for advising appointments. You can monitor your progress 24/7, even viewing the impact of various majors. The system is easily accessible through my.unt.edu using the “my academics” link on the student center page.

Curious about courses and other features of this major?
See the current catalog.