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Undergraduate Certificate Programs
Pursue an Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Photography
This is a 24 credit Sessions College Undergraduate Certificate program. Credit can be applied towards earning your Associate or Bachelor’s Degree.
Application Deadline: December 2
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About this Program
Capture the Moment Like a Pro
Do you dream of entering a career in photography? In a world awash with images, the work of a professional photographer still stands out.
At Sessions College, our 24-credit Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Photography program offers an immersion in shooting and editing your photographic work. Whether your goal is to enter a career as a photographer or enhance your ability to create powerful images, in just two semesters this program takes you from the basics of cameras to lighting and color correcting for commercial scenarios.
This program is for image makers of all kinds, from photographers to digital editors, social marketers, and influencers. Take this program to elevate your photography skills and grab more attention in the digital world.
Application Deadline. Enroll by December 2 to enter January 6, 2025 classes.
Program Length: 8 months
Credits: 24 credits
Tuition: $300 per credit
Next Class:
January 6, 2025
App Deadline:
December 2
“Photography is all about communicating a rich visual story through strong aesthetics and concepts. The online photography program at Sessions College builds a foundation in creative and technical skills to empower you to create photographs that compete in the market.”
Felicia Kieselhorst
Department Head of Digital Photography, Photo Lighting and Lightroom Instructor
Program Curriculum
The Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Photography is a 24-credit online program completed in two semesters. Part-time schedules are available.
First Semester
DES 151: Digital Photography I - 3 Credits
In this course, you’ll build a foundation in fundamental photography techniques. You will gain control over your camera’s manual settings, learning how to balance the elements in the Exposure Triangle (ISO, Shutter Speed, and Aperture/F-Stop. You will discover how to set White Balance appropriately, create depth of field, and capture motion. We will explore composition concepts to help you make your photographs more interesting and effective and equip you for the types of adjustments photographers make to adjust to different lighting conditions. To give you experience in some important genres, you will gain practical experience in shooting different kinds of portrait photographs and sports/motion photographs.
PHO 205: Lightroom - 3 Credits
Have you ever spent more time working on a photo shoot at your desk than you did taking the pictures? If so, consider managing, developing, printing, and presenting your images efficiently with Adobe Lightroom Classic. In this online Lightroom course, working with a photography pro, you’ll learn how to import and catalog your images with ease, and use basic and advanced development and retouching tools to create stellar shots, taking advantage of advanced production techniques and workflows.
PHO 154: Landscape Photography - 3 Credits
Landscape photography can be fascinating and endlessly inspiring, just like the natural world. In this course, you will explore a wide range of concepts and techniques to help you get more out of your nature photography. Each assignment will challenge you to go out and photograph the natural world, exploring compositional concepts and shooting techniques for different kinds of subjects and environments, ranging from macro and mobile to HDR and panoramic shots. To help you organize, edit, and showcase your work, the course will explore editing techniques using Adobe Lightroom. By the end of the course, you’ll have created a stunning portfolio of images celebrating your favorite natural location(s).
DES 104: Color Theory - 1.5 Credits
Color is an essential tool for any designer. Though each color has its own specific hue and value, the expression and perception of color changes in different contexts. In this online color theory course, you’ll learn how to work with color, discovering how to develop color schemes for your design projects. The course will range from fundamental color concepts and terminology to the practical application of color in typography and using color effectively on-screen.
PHO 104: History of Photography - 1.5 Credits
When photography was “invented” in 1839, the scientific breakthrough brought forth a new way of seeing. In this online photography history course, we’ll trace the development of photography from its pioneering days in the 19th century to the experimental movements of today. We’ll discuss major innovations and photographers in each period, and really put into practice what we’re learning. Each exercise will require you to take photos that emulate historical styles, genres, or techniques.
Second Semester
PHO 105: Photo Lighting and Planning - 3 Credits
Planning a photo shoot can be challenging as you struggle to properly prepare while keeping the artistic juices flowing. In this online photography lighting course, you’ll focus on the planning and preparation that lead to the successful execution of a photo shoot. You will develop a thorough understanding of different types of lighting, both natural and artificial, and learn how to work within varied shooting conditions. Working with a photography pro, you’ll explore ways to effectively stage and style photographs to achieve your desired effect.
PHO 204: Commercial Photography I - 3 Credits
Event photography is the primary source of business for most professional photographers. Capturing the important moments in a concert, wedding, or sporting event requires planning and a mastery of equipment, lighting, and location. In this course, you’ll learn practical skills for managing paid event photography shoots. Working with a professional photographer, you’ll learn how to approach projects professionally and deliver the client a high quality product.
DES 121: Photoshop I - 3 Credits
Adobe Photoshop is the premiere image manipulation tool for print design, Web design, and photography. You can learn to tame this creative powerhouse of a program in this online Photoshop course. Working with a design pro, you’ll learn the best techniques for common Photoshop jobs including selecting and isolating objects, creating image composites, masking and vignetting images, setting typography, and improving images with retouching and effects.
PHO 208: Color Correction - 3 Credits
Do you know how to get the best out of your digital images? As every art director knows, even the best photographs (on the best of days) can be plagued by problems such as color casts, unnatural tones, dull highlights, murky shadows, or low contrast. In this online color correction course, you’ll learn systematic techniques for every aspect of Photoshop color management using Photoshop. Working with a Photoshop guru, you’ll learn how to identify classic color scenarios and use both comprehensive and quick-and-dirty methods for correcting them.
Program Outcomes
By completing the program, Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Photography students develop the following competencies:
Photography
Demonstrate effective and efficient use of a digital camera to create photographs applying well considered framing, exposure, composition, perspective, distance, and lighting.
Lighting
Stage and execute photoshoots by adapting for a variety of typical settings, lighting situations, and project goals.
Technology and Image Enhancement
Apply and demonstrate retouching and color correction techniques to improve or enhance photographic images to a professional level utilizing software including Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, and other industry technologies.
Art & Design Principles
Produce visually compelling work by employing employing art and design principles including the use of color, pattern, details, and composition.
Projects
Produce and present a variety of professional photographic work in a wide range of settings including portraiture, event photography, real estate, food photography, and more.
About Sessions College
Sessions College has been inspiring creative professionals for 25 years. Accredited since 2001, we have a unique and proven approach to online education.
Accredited by Distance Education Accrediting Commission since 2001
Recognized as top design school by GDUSA
Winner of four USDLA awards for distance education
A Better Way to Learn
- Fully Online and Asynchronous. Our programs are fully online and asynchronous, allowing you to fit learning into your life. We provide weekly deadlines to keep you on track, but there are no mandatory login times and our learning platform is available 24 hours a day.
- Project-Based Learning. Our curriculum is designed to be highly interactive and project-based from the ground up to improve learning outcomes and keep you engaged.
- Feedback from Creative Pros. Our program is taught by industry experts who provide 1:1 feedback on all of your work.
Designed for Career Success
This program will help you prepare and advance your career as a photographer or digital imaging specialist.
Learn from experienced professionals
Complete a wide range of relevant projects
Develop skills for an exciting career
Graduates could be employed as a Commercial, Industrial, Drone, Fine Arts, News, Portrait, and Scientific Photographer, or Digital Content Producer.
Median annual salaries in top industries
In May 2023, the median annual wage for photographers was $40,760*. The top median annual wages by industry was:
| Motion picture and video industries | $75,800* |
| Government | $58,120* |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | $56,010* |
*As of May 2023, according to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Truly Accessible and Affordable Education
Our Undergraduate Certificate admissions process only requires a high school diploma (or equivalent) and a conversation with an admissions advisor to ensure you are set up for success in our program.
Our truly affordable tuition is:
$7,200 per academic year (24 credits) - $3,600 per semester*.
Significantly more affordable than other online design or digital media colleges.
So affordable that 100% of tuition costs may be covered for eligible students.* Find out today if you qualify.
* Federal student aid and military education benefits available for eligible students.
What Students Gained from Our Digital Photography Programs
Studying online has allowed me to be able to have a flexible schedule for my photography clients, and schedule shoots whenever I need to. It has taught me so much in such a short amount of time, and I’ve been able to apply that to my work!
There is no way I could have taught myself everything I’ve learned in school. The programs are so vast and basically unlimited, you have to have someone walk you through them in an organized way. The classes build on each other and you end up using things you’ve learned in previous classes for following classes.
The flexibility of being home, in my studio doing my classwork online is fantastic! I find that I work harder when I’m at home because I lose track of time and end up spending so much more time studying; and I can do it on my own schedule.
Advance your career with our 100% online design and digital media programs today!
Sessions College
Main Office
404 S. Mill Avenue, Suite 201
Tempe, AZ 85281
Contact Us
800-258-4115 (US)
480-212-1704
admissions@sessions.edu