Mar 28, 2024  
2021-22 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2021-22 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Photography, B.S.


Media Arts  
615-898-2085
Shannon Randol, program coordinator
Shannon.Randol@mtsu.edu

The Photography program combines aesthetic and technical skills with a foundation of photographic theory and history to prepare students for careers in commercial photography, creative/artistic photography, and documentary photography.

The Photography program is housed in a modern freestanding building with secured, ID card swipe access for students. Facilities include two digital classrooms with camera obscuras, a digital lab with scanners and printers, a spacious studio with an infinity wall (cyclorama), a large tabletop studio, two traditional darkrooms with enlargers and sinks, an alternative process darkroom, and a student photo gallery. 

The Photography program is home of the Baldwin Photographic Gallery, known for its exhibits of works by many of the world’s most renowned photographers. The Baldwin Photographic Collection and Archive which contains numerous masterpieces of photography are also managed by the Photography program.

Students are encouraged to participate in the MTSU Photo Society, a student organization that conducts photo workshops, photo safaris, and other photo-related activities.

NOTE: Majors must complete all major course requirements with a grade of C (2.00) or better.

Accelerated Bachelors/Masters (ABM) Program

High achieving students majoring in Media and Entertainment who intend to pursue a master’s degree in Media and Communication may apply to participate in the Accelerated Bachelors/Masters (ABM) Program. he pathway allows undergraduate students an opportunity to complete select requirements for both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees simultaneously. Students admitted to an ABM pathway must meet all pathway requirements to be admitted to the graduate program. Upon completion of the ABM pathway, the student must apply and be accepted for admission to the graduate program. For more information about the ABM pathway, see the Graduate Catalog. NOTE: Applications for this ABM pathway are no longer being accepted. Current ABM students may complete the pathway in place at the time of application.

Admission to Candidacy


To be admitted to candidacy in the Photography concentration, the student must meet the following requirements:

  1. 45 hours completed before applying for candidacy
  2. Passing grade in EMC 1010  
  3. Grade of B- (2.67) or better in each of the following:

PHOT 1050 

PHOT 2050 

PHOT 3040 

PHOT 3110  

  1. Grade of C (2.00) or better in each of the following:

          EMC 1020  / RIM 1020  / JOUR 1020  

          VFP 3020 , IAM 3060 , or JOUR 2710  

          ENGL 1010  and ENGL 1020  

ART 1610 

Math course satisfying General Education requirements.

Academic Map


Following is a printable, suggested four-year schedule of courses

Photography, B.S., Academic Map    

Degree Requirements


General Education 41 hours
Major Requirements 46 hours*
     College Core    9 hours
     Photography Requirements   37 hours
Auxiliary Major Requirement 3 hours
Minor 15-18 hours
Electives 12-18 hours
TOTAL 120 hours

*This program requires courses that can also fulfill requirements of the General Education curriculum. If program requirements are also used to fulfill General Education requirements, the number of elective hours will increase.

General Education (41 hours)


General Education  requirements (shown in curricular listings below) include courses in Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences.

The following course required by the program meets General Education requirements:

Major Requirements (46 hours)


Photography Electives (4 hours)

Auxiliary Major Requirement (3 hours)


Minor (15-18 hours)


Electives (12-18 hours)


Recommended Curriculum: Photography


Curricular listings include General Education  requirements in Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences categories.

Subtotal: 13 Hours


Subtotal: 15 Hours


Sophomore Fall


Subtotal: 16 Hours


Sophomore Spring


  • 3 credit hours
  • PHOT elective 1-3 credit hours
  • Social/Behavioral Science 3 credit hours
  • Natural Science 4 credit hours
  • Minor course 3 credit hours

Subtotal: 14-16 Hours


Junior Fall


Subtotal: 14-16 Hours


Junior Spring


Subtotal: 13-15 Hours


Senior Fall


Subtotal: 18 Hours


Senior Spring


Subtotal: 13 Hours