Which Schools Offer Photography Courses in Miami?

Career Info for Miami Photographers

A career as a photographer doesn't necessarily require any formal training, unless you're looking for a job in the photojournalism and scientific photography fields. Employers often require candidates to have a bachelor's degree for these positions.

Regardless of the field you want to enter, undergraduate and graduate photography degree programs can help you develop and perfect your skills. They can also give you the opportunity to put together a professional portfolio that showcases your work to potential employers. If you'd like to work for yourself, you might also want to consider completing business-related courses while enrolled in a degree program.

Job Outlook and Salary Info for Photographers in the Miami Area

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of photography jobs available nationwide was expected to grow 13% between 2010 and 2020. As of May 2011, the 490 photographers employed in the Miami, Miami Beach and Kendall, FL, metropolitan areas earned a mean annual salary of about $29,000.

Photography Associate's Degree Program in the Miami Area

Miami Dade College

• Program Name: Associate Degree in Photography
• Program Length: 2 years, full-time
• Tuition: About $83 per credit hour for residents, nonresidents pay an additional $248 per credit hour (for 2012-2013)
• School Type: 4-year, public, primarily associate's degree granting; about 64,000 students (all undergraduate)
• Address: 300 N.E. 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33132
• Phone: (305) 237-3144

Located in downtown Miami, this college's photography associate's degree program includes topics in drawing, visual arts and color photography. Prior to graduation, you're also required to complete a portfolio preparation course. If you would like to seek additional education, this program could allow you to transfer your credits to a bachelor's degree program.

Photography Bachelor's Degree Programs in the Miami Area

Barry University

• Program Name: Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography
• Specialization Areas: Creative photography, biomedical and forensic photography
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition: $28,160 per year for full-time students (as of Summer 2012)
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; about 4,700 undergraduate and 4,200 graduate students
• Address: 11300 N.E. 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores, FL 33161
• Phone: (305) 899-3100

Located in the northern Miami area, Barry University offers a photography BFA program, for students who want to complete extensive photography coursework, and a BA program, for those who would rather take electives in another subject area or pursue the biomedical and forensic photography specialization. Both program types can expose you to topics in computer imaging, photojournalism, color composition, black and white photography, lighting techniques, the history of photography and digital manipulation. Practicums and internships are also available to students who wish to acquire hands-on experience.

Lynn University

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Photography
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition: $31,700 per year (for 2011-2012)
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; about 1,600 undergraduate and 500 graduate students
• Address: 3601 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL 33431
• Phone: (561) 237-7000

This college can be found about 40 miles north of Miami and offers a bachelor's degree program to students who would like to apply their photography training in a variety of fields. By the time you graduate, you could develop skills in online journalism, Web design, advertising, magazine production and television production. If you'd like to complete hands-on training instead of elective courses, this school also offers internship opportunities.

University of Miami

• Program Name: Bachelor of Fine Arts
• Specialization Areas: Photo digital
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition: $39,980 per year (for 2012-2013)
• Admissions Requirements: Portfolio containing 20 works
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; about 10,500 undergraduate and 5,600 graduate students
• Address: 1540 Levante Avenue, Coral Gables, FL 33146
• Phone: (305) 284-2542

The University of Miami can be found just south of downtown Miami. In its BFA program, you can choose primary, secondary and tertiary concentrations in such areas as ceramics, printmaking and painting. The photography concentration includes up to 21 credit hours of coursework covering topics in darkroom techniques, experimental photography, fine art photography and digital photography. You'll also participate in an undergraduate exhibition of your work.

Photography Master's Degree Programs in the Miami Area

Barry University

• Program Name: Master of Arts or Master of Fine Arts in Photography
• Program Length: 36-48 credit hours for the MA (about 2-3 years, full-time), 66 credit hours for the MFA (about 3-4 years, full-time)
• Tuition: $935 per credit (as of Summer 2012)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree
• Admissions Requirements: Portfolio containing 20 work samples, GRE or MAT scores
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; about 4,700 undergraduate and 4,200 graduate students
• Address: 11300 N.E. 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores, FL 33161
• Phone: (305) 899-3100

Whether you enroll in the MA or MFA program, your coursework can include topics in large format photography, lighting techniques, photo manipulation, digital printing, art history and color processes. Independent study courses are available as well, as are opportunities to teach photography at the collegiate level. An exhibition of your work rounds out program requirements. If you're enrolled in the MFA program, you'll also need to complete a written thesis.

University of Miami

• Program Name: Master of Fine Arts
• Specialized Areas: Photography/digital imaging
• Program Length: 60 credit hours (about 3 years, full-time)
• Tuition: $1,660 per credit (for 2012-2013)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree
• Admissions Requirements: Portfolio with 20 work samples, 3 letters of recommendation
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; about 10,500 undergraduate and 5,600 graduate students
• Address: 1540 Levante Avenue, Coral Gables, FL 33146
• Phone: (305) 284-2542

While enrolled in this school's fine arts master's degree program, you can complete advanced photography studios and independent study courses. Art history courses are also included in the curriculum. In your final years of study, you'll be required to meet with faculty to review and monitor progress on your thesis, which culminates in a written work and student exhibition.