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Alumni from our Global Campuses
Imaginative. Versatile. Proficient.
These are the qualities Webster University tries to instill in our photography students. Our Bachelor of Arts in Photography program prepares you for the full range of photography careers. You will have the skills and knowledge to excel as photography professional in print and digital media.
Alumni Success
“There's a lot of lighting techniques I learned in my photography classes that I still use ... Webster really gave me a space to just have the freedom to think more creatively.”
Drew Jordan
BA in Photography, '05
Webster Grad’s Film Shortlisted for an Oscar, Wins Prestigious Journalism Award
Hands-On Education
The students are taught through a hands-on approach that encourages the capability to work in a variety of photographic fields and technical environments. They graduate with a solid foundation in the aesthetic and the communicative aspects of the medium. Class sizes are small to ensure maximum access to needed equipment.
Students ultimately concentrate in one area of application, such as photojournalism or commercial/studio photography, making Webster the only university in the area that offers an applied photography degree. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to seek employment with a newspaper, portrait studio or commercial studio; to establish their own freelance operation; or, to move into further specific training such as forensic photography.
16th in the Midwest
Webster University continues to be highly ranked on the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges report, now listed as 16th in Midwest Regional Universities and included in four best-of categories. This year, the University's score rose to its highest level since the ranking system was established.
Details of Webster's Photography programs
Offers a BA and Minor in Photography and a Certificate in Photojournalism/Editorial Photography
Through the curriculum for the BA in photography at Webster University, students learn to be technically proficient, versatile, imaginative and capable of working in a variety of photographic fields and technical environments. Photography majors graduate with a solid grounding in the aesthetic and the communicative aspects of the medium. Students take courses in a variety of formats (small, medium and large), materials (black/white and color) and technical environments (chemical and digital). Students become familiar with a variety of approaches (journalistic, commercial/editorial and scientific), while concentrating on one.
- PHOT 0100 Photography Portfolio Review (0 hours)
- EPMD 1000 Introduction to Media Production (3 hours)
- PHOT 0200 Photo Program Monthly Meeting (0 hours)
(Webster Groves students only; eight consecutive semesters required for first-year students, or continued consecutive semesters for transfer students) - PHOT 1000 Photo I (3 hours)
- MDST 1010 Media Foundations (3 hours)
- PHOT 2000 Photo II (3 hours)
- PHOT 2040 History of Photography (3 hours)
- MDST 2200 Ethics in the Media (3 hours)
- PHOT 2500 Photojournalism (3 hours)
- PHOT 3120 Studio Photography and Lighting (3 hours)
- PHOT 3190 Digital Photographic Imaging (3 hours)
- FTVP 1000 Introduction to Film, Television, and Video Production (3 hours)
- PHOT 4700 Professional Development in Photography* (3 hours)
- MDST 4950 Internship (3 hours)
*Capstone Course
In addition, a minimum of 9 credit hours from the following:
- PHOT 2870 International Photojournalism (online) (3 hours)
- PHOT 3195 Digital Photo Imaging II (3 hours)
- PHOT 3760 Topics in Editorial Photography (3 hours)
- PHOT 4000 Photo Workshop (3 hours)
- PHOT 4010 Photography Gallery Management (3 hours)
- PHOT 4030 Topics in Studio Photography: Digital Studio (3 hours)
- PHOT 4030 Topics in Studio Photography: People and Portraits (3 hours)
- PHOT 4190 Topics in Digital Imaging (3 hours)
- PHOT 4870 Advanced Photojournalism (3 hours)
- FTVP 1200 Camera and Light (3 hours)
- FTVP 1300 Edit and Color (3 hours)
The minor in photography is designed to give students from all academic disciplines within the University an opportunity to explore the basic principles, theory and practice of photography.
Required Courses
- PHOT 1000 Photo I (3 hours)
or PHOT 1010 Digital Basic Photography (3 hours) - PHOT 2000 Photo II (3 hours)
- Additional credit hours of PHOT courses (12 hours)
The certificate in photojournalism/editorial photography is designed to provide students with a solid understanding of theory and practice in the area of photojournalism and editorial photography. Students will develop a basic understanding of photographic history and technique in both chemical and digital environments. Upper-level courses will focus on the specialized knowledge needed to work in the field of shooting for publication.
Required Courses
- PHOT 1000 Photo I (3 hours)
- PHOT 2000 Photo II (3 hours)
- PHOT 2040 History of Photography (3 hours)
- PHOT 2500 Photojournalism (3 hours)
- PHOT 3190 Digital Photographic Imaging (3 hours)
- PHOT 3760 Topics in Editorial Photography (3 hours)
- PHOT 4870 Advanced Photojournalism (3 hours)
Portfolio Review Course Requirements
- PHOT 1000 Photo I (3 hours)
- PHOT 2000 Photo II (3 hours)
- 3 additional PHOT production credit hours (3 hours)
On campus, student work often is display in the May Gallery. The gallery was established in 1988 and remains one of the few spaces in the St. Louis area dedicated to showing a wide range of photographic work. It hosts the Annual Juried Student Photography Exhibition, a competitive and respected event.
Sverdrup West Wing Remodeling
The west wing of Sverdrup will be rebuilt as a state-of-the-art media production and communication education facility, providing our students the most up-to-date and unique technology in the entire region.
Learn more about the Sverdrup renovations including plans, progress updates, room relocations, and more.
Network of Support
“Professors have been willing to create independent studies or projects that help me and other students go beyond what we ever imagined.”
Elizabeth Arnold
BA in Photography, '20
Project: Amusing Ourselves to Death in 2019News & Events
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News
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May 5, 2022
A round up of news stories that focus on the projects, programs, events and community of Webster University. This roundup...
News
Webster Grad’s Film Shortlisted for an Oscar, Wins Prestigious Journalism Award
February 16, 2022
News
Media Showcase Features Student Art & Media Projects
December 9, 2021
May
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May 19, 2022: Meet the Author: Professor Emeritus Don Corrigan Discusses his new book "Amazing Webster Groves: Six Square Miles of the American Dream" at Location varies - see above
May
19
May 19, 2022: Meet the Author: Professor Emeritus Don Corrigan Discusses his new book "Amazing Webster Groves: Six Square Miles of the American Dream" at Location varies - see above
May
19