Photography, BFA, Four-Year Plan

Four-Year Plan for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography

Sample Plan for New Students

This is a sample and not the only way to complete this plan. Number of credits are in parentheses. Some classes have prerequisites.

Important Major Information

  • Minimum Credits to Graduate: 180
  • Credits in Major: 87
  • Minimum Major GPA: 2.0 
  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0

Four-Year Plan For New Students

Year 1

Course Fall Winter Spring
Course 1 AVCS 1300 – Intro Visual Culture Studies (5) AVCS 1200 – Foundations II: Intro Video & Sound (5) UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5)
Course 2 FILM 2000 – Intro to Film and Media (5) PHOT 1600 – Black & White Seminar I (5)  PHOT 2600 – Black & White Seminar
II (5)
Course 3  Language 1150 (5) Language 1250 (5)  Language 1350 (5)

Year 1 Steps for Success

  • Meet with your Academic Advisor
  • Create plan in Student Planning
  • Get Involved

 

Year 2

Course Fall Winter Spring
Course 1 FILM 2100 – Filmmaking I (5)  FILM 3100 – Filmmaking II (5)  UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5)
Course 2 ARTD 2710 – Digital Imaging OR ARTD 2750 – Layout Basics (5) AVCS 3730 – Histories of Photography (5) UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5)
Course 3 PHOT 3600 – Light Control (3) UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) 3000/4000 Level Major Elective (3)
Course 4 UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5)    

Year 2 Steps for Success

  • Meet with your Academic Advisor(s)
  • Plan for Study Abroad
  • Meet with Career Engagement Office

 

Year 3

Course Fall Winter Spring
Course 1 PHOT 3650 – Business of 
Photography (3)
3000/4000 Major Elective (3)  UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5)
Course 2 PHOT 4800 – Documentary
Photography for Social Change (5)
UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5)
Course 3 UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) HIST 1200, 1210 OR 2310 (5) 3000/4000 Level Major Elective (3)
Course 4 PHOT 4950 – Internship (2) General Elective (5)  

Year 3 Steps for Success

  • Find Internship or Research Opportunities
  • Meet with Faculty Advisor
  • Review Educational Plan

 

Year 4

Course Fall Winter Spring
Course 1 AVCS 3700 Level Elective (5) PHOT 4120 – Theory & Methods in Photography (5)  ART 4850 – Contemporary Practices in Portfolio (5)
Course 2 PHOT 3780 – Photography Production Seminar (5) General Elective (5) General Elective (5)
Course 3 UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5)

Year 4 Steps for Success

  • Meet with Faculty Advisor
  • Apply for Graduation
  • Continue Post Graduation Planning

University Core Requirements

UCOR classes are listed in the sample plan as Module I, II, and III. See below for UCOR course titles listed by Module. See my.seattleu.edu for prerequisites and www.seattleu.edu/core for course descriptions. Honors and Matteo Ricci students have different Core requirements. 

Module I:

  • UCOR 1100 Academic Writing Seminar
  • UCOR 1200 Quantitative Thinking
  • UCOR 1300 Creative Expression & Interpretation
  • UCOR 1400 Inquiry Seminar in the Humanities
  • UCOR 1600 Inquiry Seminar in the Social Sciences
  • UCOR 1800 Inquiry Seminar in the Natural Sciences

Module II:

  • UCOR 2100 Theological Explorations
  • UCOR 2500 Philosophy of the Human Person
  • UCOR 2900 Ethical Reasoning

Module III:

  • UCOR 3100 Religion in a Global Context
  • UCOR 3600 Social Sciences and Global Challenges
  • UCOR 3800 Natural Sciences and Global Challenges  

Curriculum Notes

  • 9 credits of 3000/4000 level ARTD/AVCS/FILM/PHOT electives required. May include 5 credits from the following: FILM 3110 or 3107.  
  • Documentary Emphasis: Students who wish to pursue an emphasis in documentary photography will satisfy the 9 credit major elective requirement by completing documentary photography/film classes as approved by the student’s advisor for the photography major. 
  • Faculty will review the student portfolio upon completion of sophomore year, or equivalent, to determine eligibility to continue in the photography major.  
  • For complete information on courses, prerequisites, etc., please consult the Explore & Compare Programs page.

Use MySeattleU Student Planning to plan your courses and work closely with your academic advisor on your educational plan. You are responsible for tracking changes and ensuring you meet all degree requirements.

Visit the Seattle U Advising Services page for support or reach out to the Advising Center. Email CAS Advising at ASCAdvising@seattleu.edu

Resources for Success

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