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Photography BFA

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The Photography BFA is a research-based, studio-intensive program that prepares you to participate in the future of photography and visual communication. The curriculum explores the convergence of commercial, documentary, fashion, and artistic image making across diverse channels of distribution. You study and experiment with photography and video as the language of contemporary culture, central to print media, the Web, video, social media, installation, performance, and emerging technologies such as motion capture and 3D imaging.

Program Highlights

  • Creative Support
    Access state-of-the-art labs, shooting studios, student exhibitions, and critiques that inspire your creativity and build your network.
  • Learn from Leaders
    Learn from prestigious speakers; past guests include Wolfgang Tillmans, Renee Cox, Stanley Wolukau-Wanambwa, Tina Campt, and Antwaun Sargent.
  • NYC Opportunities
    Explore internships at galleries, publishers, and cultural organizations, and exhibit your thesis work at a gallery in Chelsea, New York's famous art district.
  • Global Perspectives
    Study alongside students from around the world, a cross-cultural and social justice-based experience that prepares you to succeed in the global creative economy.
  • DegreeBachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
  • FormatFull-time, on campus
  • Credits120
  • Duration4 years

Curriculum

Your BFA begins with Parsons’ first-year curriculum, which serves as the academic foundation for all undergraduate programs at Parsons. From your second year on, you dive into courses in your major field of study. Art and design history and theory courses develop your research, writing, and critical reasoning skills, and university electives broaden your perspectives. You can also pursue a minor in photography.

Explore the curriculum

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Parsons faculty represent a broad range of expertise and are acknowledged as leading practitioners and scholars in their fields.
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Student Work

Cultural Studies, Fine Arts, Photography, Visual Arts Photography (BFA)
Cultural Studies, Fine Arts, Photography, Visual Arts Photography (BFA)
Cultural Studies, Fine Arts, Photography, Visual Arts, New Genres Photography (BFA)
Cultural Studies, Fine Arts, Photography, Visual Arts Photography (BFA)
Cultural Studies, Fine Arts, Photography, Visual Arts Photography (BFA)
Cultural Studies, Fine Arts, Photography, Visual Arts Photography (BFA)

Beyond the Classroom

  • Internships

    Internships

    New York City’s thriving creative industry and cultural institutions are part of your Parsons education. Our Career Services Office is deeply connected to the art and design industries and can help you advance your career with industry-oriented internships.

  • Making & Academic Resources

    Making & Academic Resources

    Enjoy access to extensive resources including New School libraries, computer labs, archives, and studios, along with Parsons’ state-of-the-art Making Center, facilities offering a broad array of tools to support your creative and academic growth.

  • Industry Engagement

    Industry Engagement

    Connect to the organizations, businesses, and entrepreneurs driving global creativity and commerce. In classes, internships, and extracurricular projects, you gain marketable problem-solving skills in sectors ranging from government and nonprofits to tech and creative industries.

  • Study Abroad

    Study Abroad

    Enrich your learning and prepare for work in global contexts with study abroad that exposes you to new perspectives and settings in which to apply your creativity. Our study abroad destinations include, Paris, London, Florence, and more.

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The New School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.