Photography Major

Owned by Laura Lehman (Deactivated)
Last updated: Dec 16, 2021

Advisor: Stephen Johnson
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Semester Hours: 50
Students who wish to declare a major in photography must complete admissions requirements for the VACA department.

Required Courses (50 SH)

  • VACA 121 Drawing - 4 
  • VACA 141 Foundations of Design - 4 
  • VACA 151 Photography I - 2 
  • VACA 142 Graphic Design I - 2 
  • VACA 381 Cinema and Visual Theory - 2 
  • VACA 382 Contemporary Art - 2 
  • VACA 481 Senior Thesis - 2 
  • VACA 252 Photography II - 4
  • VACA 344 Web Design and Social Media - 4 
  • VACA 345 Advanced Photoshop - 4 
  • VACA 353 Alternative Photo Processes - 4 
  • VACA 367 Hybrid Storytelling - 4 
  • VACA 455 Portfolio and Vocation - 4 
  • Choose 8 SH from the following courses:
    • VACA 242 Graphic Design II - 2 
    • VACA 243 Graphic Design III - 2 
    • *VACA 335 Installation and Experimental Media - 4 
    • *VACA 354 Conservation Photography - 4 
    • VACA 434 Advanced Drawing - 2 
    • VACA 435 Advanced Painting - 2 
    • WRIT 210 News and Feature Writing - 3 

Recommended Course:

  • VACA 491 Internship - 1-4 

Senior Exhibits and Productions
VACA seniors in art, digital media and communication, or photography complete a major production or exhibit within their major. This senior exhibit/production represents a culminating event for every major—a chance to synthesize their learning experience in an outstanding body of work, to celebrate the accomplishments of a successful undergraduate career, and to showcase one's best work for the broader community. As such, this requires significant teamwork and collaboration with student colleagues and faculty, along with substantial preparation of the work for presentation during the semester of graduation. Marketing majors complete the capstone course MKTG 410 Strategic Marketing Management.

Portfolio Review Requirement for VACA Majors in Art, Digital Media and Communication, or Photography
Incoming students may declare a major in art, digital media and communication, or photography. Visual and communication arts faculty will conduct a portfolio review after incoming first-year students have been at EMU for three semesters. Transfer students (who have completed the equivalent of at least three semesters in a similar major elsewhere) will usually complete the review process after one semester at EMU. The VACA department chair may approve exceptions to the timeline. The chair will also approve an appropriate timeline for EMU students who change majors or for students who transfer in from a non-related program.

Students who do not pass the portfolio review will need to drop the major. They may continue to take VACA classes but will not have priority for course enrollment. Only VACA majors may enroll in "Senior Thesis/Senior Exhibit," internships, and independent studies. Students who do not pass the review may re-apply to the major by requesting a new portfolio review after one year.