Program Details
Visual and Performing Arts: Art Studio - Photography BFA
Bachelor of Fine ArtsLongwood University
One or more Transfer Guides are available in the Resource Center for this Institution. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college. If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.
The Art program at Longwood is located in the Bedford Building. Bedford is one of the buildings in the Fine Arts Complex. The Bedford Building includes studios for graphic and animation design, printmaking, book arts, textiles, ceramics, crafts, painting, stained glass, jewelry, paper making, photography and drawing, as well as outdoor work areas, and exhibition galleries. The Art programs at Longwood University are dedicated to the development of emerging artists, designers, historians, and art educators by providing an environment that fosters creative, conceptual, and intellectual growth with a high level of formal and technical skills, through close interaction with a faculty of working artists, designers, and educators. In order to graduate in a minimum of two years, transfer students must have completed the following foundations studio courses prior to admission to the university: ART 120 - Foundations of Contemporary Design, ART 130 - Drawing I, and ART 131 - Life Drawing, ART 223 - Three-Dimensional Design. All other transfer students should expect to graduate in a minimum of three years. All art majors will receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual and Performing Arts degree. The Civitae Core Requirements will be identical for each concentration. Department of Theatre, Art, and Graphic and Animation Design degree requirements also vary by degree as specified in the catalog. The Art program also offers tailored programs of study for students who wish to minor in studio art or art history. Students interested in a minor in general art or art history should contact the Department Chair for advising.
Program Overview & Guidance
| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | A BFA degree celebrates the complex intersections of communication, creativity, learning, and making. This degree requires weekly committed studio hours, yearly portfolio reviews, and a junior proposal that results in a senior thesis exhibition at the Longwood Center of the Visual Arts, Longwood University’s art museum. In studying art/photography students develop strong verbal communication and critical thinking skills during regular critiques of their artwork and the work of others. Informed by historic precedents and contemporary ideas and experiences students engage in coursework in which they explore a wide range of traditional and non-traditional photographic techniques and practices. The degree also includes a course in Professional Practices which assists in the development of professional materials for working artists, such as a CV, artist statement, website and completing applications for various exhibition and grant opportunities. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
As you enter the BFA Photography Program at Longwood, it’s encouraged to have a preliminary foundation or interest in the core curriculum, such as basic black and white (darkroom) photography, digital photography, related media, and two & three-dimensional design. Having experience with other foundational requirements such as drawing, painting, and art history will also expedite the degree process.
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
| Doing More With Your Degree | Majors in Photography focus on traditional or contemporary approaches and practices. This generalization is informed by photography’s unique position in the world and its broad applications and functions. Student opportunities include participating in summer craft school programs/internships, completing apprenticeships, and connecting with professionals through our Working Artist Program and Visiting Artist workshops, volunteering or interning at the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts, and photography jobs. Adding a minor in social work, business, history, or psychology can diversify key professional skills and inform an art making practice. Minoring in photography prepares students to build a critical eye in evaluating pictures, how/when they are used, and builds a vocabulary around photographs and the image making process. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | All students in this major complete a body of work that is professionally and publicly exhibited in the community. Our graduates establish vital mentor-mentee relationships with faculty and members of the artistic community as a touchstone to further their careers. Recent graduates have continued their studies at prominent graduate schools in the United States and abroad. Our alumni are employed in the field creatively working as professional studio artists, gallery assistants, art handlers, photographers, art therapists, residency directors, conservators, and library science specialists. |
Program Credit Requirements
If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements
The table below lists admissions agreements between Longwood University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | If you earn a transfer-oriented associate's degree (Associate of Arts and/or Science) from one of the Virginia community colleges or Richard Bland College and you are admitted to Longwood, you are guaranteed completion of all Foundation-level courses as well as the Integrating World Languages Perspectives-level course associated with Civitae (Longwood’s core curriculum program). |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School |
| Credit for Prior Learning | http://www.longwood.edu/registrar/transfer-of-credits/transfer-equivalency-system/ |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | Longwood is a mid-sized university where students enjoy the highest percentage of classes taught by full-time professors in Virginia and a residential academic community that offers students the full university experience. Class sizes are smaller than average--our Civitae Core Curriculum classes are capped at 25 students--throughout our more than 100 majors, minors, and concentrations. With seven on-campus residence halls and two university-managed apartment complexes, students live, learn, and grow together in a true community. Opportunities for students to be involved are the hallmark of the Longwood experience. From service organizations and Greek life to club sports and a long list of clubs based on interests and activities, there is something for everyone at Longwood. Each semester, an involvement fair helps students find organizations that are the right fit for them to make their time at Longwood even more meaningful. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Transfer students may choose the catalog in effect at the time they enroll or the one that applies to continuous full-time students at their class level. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | New students join the catalog year in effect during their first matriculating semester. |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Students transferring from an institution with a transfer agreement are guaranteed admission to Longwood when they have finished their transfer-oriented associate's degree (Associate of Arts and/or Science) and earned a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Students who are admitted prior to earning the transfer-oriented associate's degree (Associate of Arts and/or Science) and complete the degree before enrolling at Longwood also will receive the articulation benefits upon submission of an official transcript. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Visual Arts | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Visual Arts - Film Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Visual Arts - Photo Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Art degree in Liberal Arts: Fine Arts Major | Associate | Associate of Art | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Music, A.F.A. | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Piedmont Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts in Art | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Piedmont Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts in Theatre/Drama | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Ferrum College | B.F.A. in Music and Theatre: Professional Stage Performance | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Fine Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Sweet Briar College | Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Fine and Performing Arts, Major in Theater, Concentration in Acting | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Fine and Performing Arts, Major in Theater, Concentration in Arts Administration | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Fine and Performing Arts, Major in Theater, Concentration in Directing/Dramatic Literature | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Fine and Performing Arts, Major in Theater, Concentration in Design/Technical Theater | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Fine and Performing Arts, Major in Theater, Concentration in Musical Theater | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Fine and Performing Arts, Major in Theater, Concentration in Theater Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Richard Bland College | Associate of Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Major in Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Art and Visual Technology, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Art and Visual Technology, BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| University of Mary Washington | BA in Theatre | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Art: Studio (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1121.00 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 27-1019.00 | Artists and Related Workers, All Other | All artists and related workers not listed separately. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
| 27-1012.00 | Craft Artists | Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
| 27-1013.00 | Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
| 27-4021.00 | Photographers | Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
Cost To Complete