Photography
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Photography program is designed for the student who wishes to pursue a career in photography, either commercial or fine arts. Students will study digital and traditional film-based (darkroom) media, content and image selection, and the theory and practice of visual communication.
Details
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
There will be costs for supplies and equipment in this program.
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of principles of design, aesthetics, and visual communication.
- Create original still and time based images.
- Demonstrate a thorough knowledge and application of camera techniques.
- Demonstrate a thorough and adaptable knowledge of software used in digital imaging and contemporary media.
- Create digital imaging workflow.
- Utilize effective lighting techniques in natural, artificial and mixed lighting in photography (e.g., product, still life and portraiture).
- Analyze trends and influences in contemporary and historical photography.
- Critically evaluate photographic works.
- Develop a professional body of work and appropriate support material to showcase personal vision and technical skills.
- Identify professional practices in diverse settings (e.g., communication, time management, pricing, and legal and ethical considerations).
- Use visual, verbal, and written communication skills to interact with diverse audiences.
- Apply historical, cultural, and social contextual perspectives to evaluate a body of work.
- Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
$66,570 Show expanded career information for Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
$45,590 Show expanded career information for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
Photographers
$44,090 Show expanded career information for Photographers
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators
$41,890 Show expanded career information for Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators
Self-Enrichment Teachers
$48,240 Show expanded career information for Self-Enrichment Teachers
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
- Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Term 1
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ART131 | Photography I | Critical course Gateway course | HU | 3 | |
AVC100 | Introduction to Digital Arts | Critical course | 1 | ||
AVC142 | Introduction to Digital Photography | Critical course | 3 | ||
ART112 or ART113 | Two-Dimensional Design or Color | 3 | |||
ENG101 or ENG107 | First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
FYE101 or FYE103 | Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Term 2
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ART132 or AVC143 | Photography II or Intermediate Digital Photography | Select ART132 for Fine Arts Select ART143 for Commercial | 3 | ||
ART113 or ART112 | Color or Two-Dimensional Design | 3 | |||
ARH115 | History of Photography | HU | 3 | ||
ENG102 or ENG108 | First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 | |
MAT140 or MAT141 or MAT142 or MAT145 or MAT146 | College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics with Review or College Mathematics with Review | OR Any approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area | MA or MA or MA or MA or MA | 3–6 |
Term 3
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ART132 or AVC143 | Photography II or Intermediate Digital Photography | Select ART143 for Fine Arts Select ART132 for Commercial | 3 | ||
ART255 or ART255AB | Art Marketing or The Portfolio | 1–3 | |||
ARH101 or ARH102 | Art from Prehistory Through Middle Ages or Art from Renaissance to Modernism | H, HU or H, HU | 3 | ||
COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230 | Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication | SB or SB or L or SB | 3 | ||
Specialization Option | Subplan Option | 3–6 |
Term 4
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SB | Social & Behavioral Sciences | SB | 3 | ||
SQ or SG | Natural Sciences Quantitative or Natural Sciences General | SQ or SG | 4 | ||
Specialization Option | Subplan Option | 5–15 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
Term 1
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ART131 | Photography I | Critical course Gateway course | HU | 3 | |
AVC100 | Introduction to Digital Arts | Critical course | 1 | ||
ENG101 or ENG107 | First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
FYE101 or FYE103 | Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Term 2
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AVC142 | Introduction to Digital Photography | Critical course | 3 | ||
ENG102 or ENG108 | First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 |
Term 3
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ART113 or ART112 | Color or Two-Dimensional Design | 3 | |||
MAT140 or MAT141 or MAT142 or MAT145 or MAT146 | College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics with Review or College Mathematics with Review | OR Any approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area | MA or MA or MA or MA or MA | 3–6 |
Term 4
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ART112 or ART113 | Two-Dimensional Design or Color | 3 | |||
ART132 or AVC143 | Photography II or Intermediate Digital Photography | Select ART132 for Fine Arts Select ART143 for Commercial | 3 |
Term 5
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARH115 | History of Photography | HU | 3 | ||
ART132 or AVC143 | Photography II or Intermediate Digital Photography | Select ART143 for Fine Arts Select ART132 for Commercial | 3 |
Term 6
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARH101 or ARH102 | Art from Prehistory Through Middle Ages or Art from Renaissance to Modernism | H, HU or H, HU | 3 | ||
Specialization Option | Subplan Option | 3 |
Term 7
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230 | Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication | SB or SB or L or SB | 3 | ||
Specialization Option | Subplan Option | 3 |
Term 8
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SQ or SG | Natural Sciences Quantitative or Natural Sciences General | SQ or SG | 4 | ||
Specialization Option | Subplan Option | 2–3 |
Term 9
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ART255 or ART255AB | Art Marketing or The Portfolio | 1–3 | |||
SB | Social & Behavioral Sciences | SB | 3 | ||
Specialization Option | Subplan Option | 0–3 |
Term 10
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Specialization Option | Subplan Option | 0–9 |
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- FYC = First Year Composition
- H = Historical Awareness
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
- MA = Mathematics
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
- SG = Natural Sciences General
- SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=187380).
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.