Which New Jersey Schools Offer Photography Classes?

Associate Degree Photography Programs in New Jersey

County College of Morris

Located outside of New York City in northern New Jersey, County College of Morris offers photography courses through its AAS in Photography Technology program. You study lighting, large-format photography and color. Course topics include photographic equipment and materials, photography history, digital imaging and portfolio preparation.

• Program name: Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Photography Technology
• Program length: 2-year (full-time)
• Tuition and Fees: $4,920 per year in-district, $8,760 per year in-state, $12,060 per year out-of-state (2018-2019)
• Admission Requirements: School placement exam
• School type: Public community college, approximately 7,600 students (all undergraduate)

Middlesex County College

At Middlesex County College's Visual, Performing and Media Arts Department, you can study in an associate's degree program with a concentration in professional commercial photography. Your credits may transfer to area 4-year colleges or universities. The AAS in Media Arts and Design program can provide you with the creative and mechanical ability to pursue work with advertising agencies, publishing companies, photography studios and printing firms. Coursework includes topic such as color-printing methods, product photography and studio photography, as well as supportive courses in small business management, marketing and computer applications.

• Program name: Associate in Applied Science in Media Arts and Design
• Field of Study: Professional commercial photography
• Program length: 2 years (full-time)
• Tuition and Fees: $3,516 per year in-district, $7,032 per year out-of-district (2018-2019)
• Admission Requirements: College placement exam
• School type: Public community college, approximately 10,900 students (all undergraduate)

Bachelor's Degree Photography Programs in New Jersey

New Jersey City University

Located in Jersey City, New Jersey City University offers a variety of concentration options through the BA in Art and BFA programs. The photography concentration for either program features coursework in digital imaging, studio lighting and darkroom techniques. Your curriculum progresses toward a portfolio preparation course. In addition to the campus Visual Arts Gallery, you may have the opportunity to develop work for the Harold B. Lemmerman Gallery, an independent gallery operating in cooperation with New Jersey City University.

• Program name: Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art
• Field of Study: Photography
• Program length: 58-83 semester hours for major specialization (roughly 5-7 semesters)
• Tuition and Fees: $12,052 per year in-state, $21,574 per year out-of-state (2018-2019)
• Admission Requirements: Portfolio evaluation at program completion (for BFA)
• School type: 4-year public, more than 7,900 students (approximately 6,200 undergraduate)

Ramapo College of New Jersey

Ramapo College of New Jersey offers a BA in Visual Arts with a concentration in photography. Undergraduate students have the opportunity to hone their skills participating in organizations such as the Visual Arts Society, Creative Media Club or The Ramapo News. Non-degree seeking students can enroll in up to 24 credit hours without program admission. Photography courses include topics such as black and white photography, large-format photography, series photography and digital photography, as well as documentary, film and studio photography.

• Program name: Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Visual Arts
• Field of Study: Photography
• Program length: 4 years (full-time)
• Tuition and Fees: $14,374 per year in-state, $23,715 per year out-of-state (2018-2019)
• Requirements: Portfolio development for program completion
• School type: 4-year, public, approximately 6,100 students (about 5,600 undergraduate)

Rutgers University

Rutgers University, the state university of New Jersey, offers undergraduate photography classes within either a BFA or Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts. Offered through the Mason Gross School of the Arts, the BFA in Visual Arts program offers a concentration in photography, with courses that cover topics such as theoretical approaches to photography. Your seminar course would cover photographic capture, storage, manipulation and retrieval, as well as final print production. As an undergraduate student, you may be eligible for an artistic scholarship to defray the cost of tuition.

• Program name: Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Visual Arts
• Field of Study: Photography
• Program length: 4 years (full-time)
• Tuition and Fees: $14,974 per year in-state, $31,282 per year out-of-state (2018-2019)
• Admission Requirements: Portfolio evaluation of at least 15 pieces of artwork
• School type: 4-year, public, approximately 50,300 students (about 36,000 undergraduate)

Master's Degree Photography Programs in New Jersey

Rutgers University

In pursuit of your MFA in Visual Arts at Rutgers University, you could take courses on non-silver processes and multimedia approaches to photography, as well as short- and long-term photographic project development. As a graduate student, you may be able to obtain fellowships or teaching internships to help with the cost of tuition. Seminar courses would feature visiting artists, and graduate students would have access to New York City museums and art galleries. All MFA candidates would have the opportunity to use a private studio to develop work for a final thesis exhibition.

• Program name: Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Visual Arts
• Program length: Two years (60 credit hours)
• Tuition and Fees: $19,416 per year in-state, $31,488 per year out-of-state (2018-2019)
• Academic Requirements: Portfolio submission with ten pieces of work
• School type: 4-year public, approximately 50,300 students (about 14,200 graduate)

In summary, New Jersey schools offer a few options for those seeking a degree in photography at different degree levels - associate's, bachelor's, and master's degree.