BFA Photojournalism

The Corcoran’s 120-credit photojournalism program is one of the most innovative in the country, offering an ideal training ground for a new generation of creative visual reporters and documentarians. Our faculty includes working photographers from The Washington Post and other news media, White House photography staff, and picture editors from The National Geographic. The curriculum includes a variety of fine-art components that stress how important individual creativity is in today’s marketplace. Technical and professional skills are taught in tandem in a curriculum unique for its combination of rigor and flexibility. Darkroom, digital, and audio-video courses are taught alongside classes that emphasize the legal, ethical, and economic challenges of the profession.

Gain Experience in the Real World

With its location in the heart of Washington, D.C., the Corcoran gives photojournalism students access to a constant procession of news and documentary subjects. Our students have interned with The Washington Post, National Geographic Magazine, The White House, The Pentagon, and U.S. News and World Report.

Sample Courses

Color Photography—Get acquainted with the materials, techniques, and aesthetics of making exceptional color photographs. Explore a variety of transparency materials; make prints from color negatives.

Media Lab II—Script, shoot/record, edit, and present three projects: a silent video, a sound piece or audio package, and a video with audio. Examines time-based media and its influence through pop culture, art history, and conceptual and technical analyses.

Light Studies and Optical Culture—Explore the formal characteristics of light and lenses by surveying a variety of image-making practices, from primitive photographic devices to digital photography and video. Learn camera controls that open up a wide range of expressive possibilities.

Sample Curriculum*

YEAR 1 COURSES

Art History I & II
Writing I & II
Resources
Drawing
Light Studies and Optical Culture
Photography Techniques and Practice

YEARS 2, 3, and 4 STUDIO COURSES

Media Lab I &II
Photojournalism Seminar
Photojournalism Senior Thesis
Professional Practices for Photojournalism

YEARS 2, 3, and 4 ACADEMIC COURSES

Modern Art
Contemporary Culture
History of Photography
Humanities I & II
Script and News Writing

TOTAL: 120 credits

Sample Elective Courses

Picture Editing
International Experience: El Salvador
Politics, Advertising, and Mass Media
Decisive Moments: Photographing Sports and Action
Studio and Location Lighting
The Photograph in Contemporary Art
Video Art for the Visual Artist
The Web Essay

*Courses subject to change

Students may also elect to pursue a combined five-year BFA/MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) degree, a program which prepares you to work as an art educator in secondary schools, museums, and community art centers.

Photography/Photojournalism Faculty

Margaret Adams
Assistant Professor

Gabriela Bulisova
NMPJ Faculty

Natalie Cheung
Adjunct Faculty

Caroline Couig
Adjunct Faculty

Frank DiPerna
The Ruesch Family Professor of Photography

Andy Grundberg
Professor, Dean, Associate Provost

Muriel Hasbun
Chair of Photography, Associate Professor

Antonio McAfee
Adjunct Instructor

Jennifer O'Neill
Director of Academic Advising

Robert Reeder
Adjunct Faculty

Jon Routson
Adjunct Faculty

Claudia Smigrod
Professor of Photography

Susan Sterner
Director of Photojournalism Programs, Assistant Professor of Photojournalism

Lauren Stockbower
Adjunct Faculty

Lori Waselchuk
Adjunct Faculty

Terri Weifenbach
Adjunct Faculty

Tamsen Wojtanowski
Adjunct Faculty

Examples of Student Work

Related Student Groups and Organizations

Apply Today!