Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Photography

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit. 

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Photography
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)6
Component Area II (Mathematics) 13
Component Area III (Life and Physical Science)8
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture)3
Component Area V (Creative Arts) 23
Component Area VI (U.S. History)6
Component Area VII (Political Science/Government)6
Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences)3
Component Area IX (Component Area Option)4
Major: Foundation
ARTS 1313
ARTS 1314
ARTS 1315
W.A.S.H. - 2D
and W.A.S.H. - 3D
and W.A.S.H. - Lecture
9
ARTS 1316Drawing3
ARTS 2313Foundations In Digital Art3
Major: BFA Core
ARTS 1303Art History Survey I 23
ARTS 1319Drawing II3
ARTS 2375Photographic Concepts3
ARTS 3305Painting I3
ARTS 3307Performance and Video Art3
or ARTS 3310 Printmaking
ARTS 3318Sculpture I3
or ARTS 3320 Ceramics I
ARTS 3385Art History Survey II3
Major: Required
ARTS 2365Analog Photography3
ARTS 3364Photography Seminar3
ARTS 3368Photographic Lighting I (Junior)3
ARTS 3370Digital Photography & Imaging3
ARTS 3374Alternative Photo Processes3
ARTS 4315Professional Practices in Art3
ARTS 4372Photographic Narratives3
ARTS 4373Contemporary Issues in Pho3
ARTS 4381History of Photography3
ARTS 4385Art Since 19453
Major: Prescribed Electives
Advanced Photography Electives 39
Photographic Printing
Special Topic
Advanced Studio
Photographic Lighting II
Human Form: A Photographc Stdy
Advanced Art Electives3
Electives: General
General Electives3
Minor: Not Required 4,5
Total Hours120
1

MATH 1332 is recommended.

2

ARTS 1303 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area V (Creative Arts).

3

Advanced Photography Electives, select 3 courses to satisfy requirement. 

4

A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so, additional semester credit hours will be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours. 

5

All minors can be paired with this degree program.

Notes 

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 3.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 3.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework. 

BFA Requirements

Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in ARTS courses to graduate with a BFA.

The BFA Portfolio Review is the Department of Art’s process of review and evaluation before admitting students into any of the department’s Bachelor of Fine Arts programs.

Students who wish to pursue a BFA in Graphic Design, Studio Art, Animation, or Photography must pass the department's BFA Portfolio Review.

The semester after completion of the Art Foundation courses, BFA majors are required to participate in the BFA Portfolio Review.

Art Foundation
ARTS 1313W.A.S.H. - 2D3
ARTS 1314W.A.S.H. - 3D3
ARTS 1315W.A.S.H. - Lecture3
ARTS 1316Drawing3
ARTS 2313Foundations In Digital Art3

For more information, visit BFA Portfolio Review.

Graphic Design students must first pass the BFA Portfolio Review in order to be eligible for the Graphic Design Portfolio Review. After passing the BFA Portfolio Review, students who wish to pursue a BFA in Graphic Design must take the Graphic Design Portfolio Review the semester they are enrolled in Typography (ARTS 3322).

Some, but not all, of the upper-level studio art courses may be taken more than once for credit. Courses listed more than once in the degree plan are repeatable.

Not all art courses are offered each semester. Consult an academic advisor and the Schedule of Classes before registration.

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.  

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area II13Component Area I3
ARTS 13133Component Area III4
ARTS 13143ARTS 13163
ARTS 13153ARTS 23133
 ARTS 23653
 12 16
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area I3Component Area VI3
Component Area VI3Component Area IX1
ARTS 13193ARTS 130323
ARTS 23753ARTS 33053
ARTS 3318 or 33203ARTS 3307 or 33103
 ARTS 33703
 15 16
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area III4Component Area IV3
ARTS 33643Component Area VII3
ARTS 33853ARTS 33683
Advanced Art Electives3ARTS 43723
Advanced Photography Electives33ARTS 43733
 16 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area VIII3Component Area VII3
ARTS 33743Component Area IX3
ARTS 43853ARTS 43153
General Electives3ARTS 43813
Advanced Photography Electives33Advanced Photography Electives33
 15 15
Total Hours: 120
1

MATH 1332 is recommended.

2

ARTS 1303 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area V (Creative Arts).

3

Select three courses from the following Advanced Photography Electives: ARTS 3360, ARTS 4019, ARTS 4311, ARTS 4368, ARTS 4371.

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 3.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 3.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework. 

A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so, additional semester credit hours will be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours. 

All minors can be paired with this degree program.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The BFA in Photography is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • Digital technology.
  • Critical and creative thinking and problem solving.
  • Oral, written, and visual communications.
  • Teamwork and collaboration.
  • Global and intercultural fluency.