Essential Information
In the state of Missouri, there are currently six institutions that offer degree programs in photography. These are 4-year schools which offer photography as a bachelor's degree program. Aside from classroom work, students also complete studio work and seminars. In some cases, students may have the opportunity to exhibit their work. The following are short overviews of these schools and programs, as well as a comparison table that shows program offerings and tuition info.
Calvary College and Theological Seminary
Calvary College and Theological Seminary is located in Kansas City. Students who seek a photography education can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Professional Directed Studies with an emphasis in photography. The degree requires 126 credit hours, including 32 credits of biblical education, 49 general education credits and 36 credits of major courses. Some of the photography classes offered are photography fundamentals, photography advanced problems, digital imaging, and digital applications.
Columbia College
Located in Columbia, Columbia College was founded in 1851. The school's Art Department awards three types of bachelor's degrees in art with a major in photography. All three programs require students to complete 24 semester hours of photography coursework. Some of the required classes include creative creative photography, digital imaging, and digital filmmaking.
Those in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program have their work periodically reviewed and exhibit it during their senior years. Bachelor of Arts students take 12 credits of art electives, while Bachelor of Science students complete 24 credits of art electives.
Kansas City Art Institute
The Kansas City Art Institute was founded in 1885 and offers Bachelor of Fine Arts degree programs in art and design-related disciplines. The photography department employs five faculty members, including nationally and internationally recognized professionals. Students take studio and lecture classes, and they have access to a darkroom, light room, and professional lighting equipment. Some of the courses offered include printing and photo production, color photography, digital photography, and photographic lighting.
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg is home to the University of Central Missouri. The School of Technology gives students the opportunity to attain a Bachelor of Science degree in professional photography. The program is 120 credit hours and includes classes such as professional photography foundations, image critique, digital imaging, and editorial photography. Upon graduation, students can seek careers as digital imaging specialists, estimators, production planners, and professional photographers.
Washington University
St. Louis-based Washington University was founded in 1853 and offers over 90 programs, which include about 1,500 classes. To complete the Bachelor of Fine Arts program with a major in photography, students take classes such as introduction to photography, advanced photography seminar, and alternative process photography. Students must complete 128 credit hours to finish the program.
Webster University
Webster University was founded in 1915 and is located in St. Louis. Students attend from all 50 states, as well as over 140 countries. Webster's Bachelor of Arts program in photography takes a minimum of 128 credit hours to complete. The curriculum is designed to teach students technical aspects of digital and chemical photographic settings, materials, and camera formats. Students can study these facets in classes like studio lighting and photography, photojournalism, and digital photographic imaging.
School Comparison: At a Glance
| School Name | School Type & Setting | Photography Programs Offered | Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (2018-2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calvary Bible College and Theological Seminary | 4-year, private-not for profit; large city | Bachelor of Science in Professional Directed Studies - Photography | $11,164* |
| Columbia College | 4-year, private not-for-profit; midsized city | Bachelor of Science in Art - Photography, Bachelor of Arts in Art - Photography, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art - Photography |
$22,704* |
| Kansas City Art Institute | 4-year, private-not-for-profit; large city | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography | $38,400* |
| University of Central Missouri | 4-year, public; rural | Bachelor of Science in Professional Photography | $7,673 (in-state), $14,442 (out-of-state)* |
| Washington University | 4-year, private-not for profit; large suburb | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art-Photography | $53,399* |
| Webster University | 4-year, private-not for profit; large suburb | Bachelor of Arts in Photography | $27,900* |
Source: *NCES College Navigator.
