Key takeaways
- Ensure that you check accreditation, faculty, and campus life when choosing the ideal photography college in Florida.
- Investigate alumni career paths to gauge the college program’s effectiveness and networking opportunities.
- Select a college in Florida with experienced faculty who have industry experience in photography.
- Some of the most popular college majors in Florida include Psychology, Human Resources, Sociology, and Criminal Justice.
- Miami International University of Art & Design is one of the leading and popular photography colleges in Florida.
- Ringling College of Art and Design, and the University of Florida offer strong photography programs in different parts of the state.
- The University of South Florida and the University of Tampa are the top colleges in Tampa, Florida, for photography degrees.
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in Florida play a crucial role in providing diverse and inclusive education.
- Popular black colleges in Florida include Edward Waters University which offers a communication degree with a concentration in filmmaking.
Digital photography is a growing industry with an increasing shift towards college degrees. Earlier, it used to be a hobby or an additional skill that people did not need formal education for. However, with so much saturation and competition, a digital photography degree from a college in Florida is the need of the house.
Choosing the right photography college in Florida can be a pivotal decision for aspiring photographers seeking to turn their passion into a professional career. There are a great many private and public colleges in Florida, along with many private art colleges in Florida that focus on teaching essentials required for a career in digital photography.
To help you get started with your college education in Florida, here is a complete guide, including a light of highlighted colleges in the state ideal for a digital photography bachelor’s degree!
What colleges offer photography in Florida?
There are various colleges in Florida offering digital photography majors. However, each college offers a unique advantage that you will want to explore. Therefore, explore public and private colleges in Florida, as well as HBCU colleges in Florida, and colleges in major cities of Florida such as Tampa and Miami.
Photography college in Florida
Find a good photography college in Florida:
Miami International University of Art & Design
At the Miami Internet University of Art & Design, you can opt for the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Photography. The program combines multiple topics and subjects to provide a holistic learning experience to students. Moreover, the college has a low student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, allowing a personalized education experience with individual attention.
Ringling College of Art and Design
The Photography and Imaging program at Ringling College of Art and Design is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in both traditional and digital photography. The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Photography and Imaging ensures the development of essential artistic and technical skills. Moreover, the college has a decent acceptance rate of 70%, with a graduation rate of approximately 73%.
University of Florida (UF)
For students inclined towards creating a photography career in digital imaging and studio works, the BFA in creative photography program offered by the University of Florida is the best. The program focuses on preparing impressive digital photography portfolios for students. Additionally, it offers technical courses along with flexible electives that allow students to enjoy a personalized photography degree.
Photography colleges in Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida, is a vibrant and diverse city known for its rich history, cultural attractions, and beautiful natural surroundings. The city is located on the west of Florida, along the Gulf of Mexico.
From beautiful beaches to amazing parks and a great variety of recreational activities, Tampa is a great place for students to enjoy a lifetime experience of college.
So, here are the top photography colleges in Tampa, Florida.
University of South Florida (USF)
Through its School of Art and Art History, the University of South Florida (USF) offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Photography. This is the ideal degree for anyone looking to pursue a full-scale photography career with an intense focus on technical skills such as camera operations and lifting techniques. The foundational courses are related to digital art and imaging, as well as traditional and modern photography. Lastly, USF has a graduation rate of over 60% and an acceptance rate of 44%.
The University of Tampa
One of the many things a student must consider during their college planning is the facilities available at schools. In the case of a photography degree, photography facilities like dark rooms, printing systems, and student clubs are very important. Therefore, the University of Tampa makes up to be one of the best options in this regard. The college has a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Degree, with a focus on many types of visual arts including photography.
HBCU Colleges in Florida
Historically Black Colleges, or HBCU colleges in Florida are popular for a number of reasons. Firstly, Florida is a diverse state with many ranges of cultural and ethnic diversity. HBCU institutes are known for enhancing this diversity and ensuring academic excellence for everyone.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) play a crucial role in the educational landscape and have a significant impact on individuals and communities. They preserve and celebrate African American culture, history, and achievements, contributing to the broader understanding of African American groups in the country.
Moreover, black colleges in Florida have a track record of producing high graduation rates among their students, particularly in fields such as STEM. However, the trends are changing and these colleges are now equipping students in artistic fields as well, such as digital photography.
Edward Waters University (EWU)
While some universities offer standalone degrees in photography, that might not be the case with Edward Waters University. However, you can still opt for its Bachelor of Science In Communications. The program offers multiple streams and concentration areas, one of which is film and TV production. The production major can help you get familiar with technical skills such as camera operations, videography, photo editing, and lighting techniques.
Photography college in Orlando, Florida
While it’s known more typically for its family theme parks and excellent recreational spots, it also makes up to be an excellent place for young college kids to reside. There are several colleges in Orlando, Florida that offer quality education, with robust accreditations and successful faculty.
Orlando’s vibrant downtown scene is alive with a diverse array of nightclubs, dining options, and live music venues. Students in this dynamic city can benefit from the year-round pleasant climate and access to top-tier educational institutions. Notably, the University of Central Florida stands out, frequently appearing in U.S. News’ National Universities rankings.
So, considering higher education in this area is definitely a good choice. Let’s explore the top most popular colleges in Orlando, Florida.
University of Central Orlando, FL
The University of Central Florida is one of the most popular public colleges in Florida. It is home to over 100 college majors, each offering unique advantages. For photography fanatics, the bachelor’s degree is photography at UCF offers a great opportunity.
Additionally, with this program, students can engage with other art forms and disciplines, enhancing their overall creative skill set. Moreover, it includes career-focused components, such as internships and networking opportunities, to help students transition smoothly into the professional photography field.
What college majors are popular in Florida?
While digital photography as a bachelor’s degree is gaining popularity, is pursuing a digital photography degree worth it? If you are still unsure, you can explore some college majors that are consistently popular in Florida.
Psychology
Psychology is a popular choice amongst students who are particularly interested in human behaviors. This field of study caters to understanding individual behaviors caused by various factors such as socio-political environment. Psychology college majors are best known for their diverse career opportunities, humanitarian work nature, and higher education prospects such as master’s and PhD.
Human Resources
Human Resources undergraduate degree is typically offered by colleges through their business programs and schools. HR is a specialized field of recruitment and people management. It caters to an organization’s human capital needs and includes many areas of specialization and sub-branches. HR specializations include recruitment, organizational development, leadership, payroll management, and more. Explore HR career paths here!
Sociology
Sociology is often confused with psychology. While both degrees are part of social sciences, they are very different from one another. An undergraduate sociology college major is all about human behaviors in groups. It has many areas of specialization including gender studies and criminology. Sociology degree jobs may be available in nonprofit organizations, government organizations, and so on.
Criminal justice and criminology
One of the most complex and varied law and order situations is found in Florida. The conditions vary significantly from one area or city to another. This is one of the many reasons why the Florida law enforcement system is so detailed and complex, encouraging many students in Florida to pursue a career in a related field. Therefore, criminal justice and criminology majors are wildly popular in Florida colleges.
How to choose a college in Florida for a photography degree?
Several digital photography colleges across the United States offer excellent programs. You must seek expert degree advice to figure out which college major suits you the best. It is important to strike a balance between your passion and practicality. Therefore, considering important and realistic factors is important in this decision-making process.
To get you started, here are the top 4 things you need to consider when you are trying to select a photography college in Florida.
Look for accreditation
College accreditations are recognitions and badges given to colleges and other relational suites by high authorities agencies approved by the U.S. Department of Education. These accreditations are signs that tell us how good a college is, and what is its unique advantage. You can explore a college’s accreditation based on its program, facilities, or overall education quality.
What are the alumni up to?
The college alumni are a huge reflection of what the college has to offer. Never miss out on exploring what the alumni are up to, and do a deep comparison of different colleges and their alumni. See what type of career paths they managed to choose, and what type of industries they are working in. You can’t make it a step ahead and even speak to the alumni and ask about their time at the college.
Check out the faculty
The most important part of any college is its faculty. The faculty, including the teachers and professors, are individuals who are going to teach you essential skills to sustain yourself in the photography industry. Therefore, they must be well-accomplished, have worked in the industry, and know their way around the subject. You can check out a college faculty on professional networks like LinkedIn.
What is campus life like?
Firstly, decide whether you will be staying on campus or off campus. Once that is sorted, you need to look into essential factors. For on-campus students, facilities like housing options, food options, and neighborhood safety are essential. For off-campus students, look into public transport facilities and make sure that there are ample essentials nearby, such as grocery stores.
Enroll in a photography college in Florida
It is fair to say that the best colleges in Florida cater to the growing digital photography industry. They are now offering formal education such as bachelor’s degrees as well as certifications and courses that enhance your skills in photography.
The photography industry in Florida is dynamic and multifaceted. It offers great opportunities to young and aspiring photographers, thanks to tourism, the natural beauty, and the culturally diverse surroundings. With the right skills, creativity, and business acumen, photographers in Florida can find numerous opportunities to build successful and fulfilling careers.