Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree with a Major in Visual And Dramatic Arts and a Major Concentration in Film and Photography

BA Degree with a Major in Visual and Dramatic Arts and a Major Concentration in Film and Photography

Upon completing the BA degree with a major in Visual and Dramatic Arts and a major concentration in Film and Photography, students will be able to:

1. Understand the social, aesthetic, and technological history of film and photography.
2. Become fluent in both older forms of filmmaking and photography and newer ones.
3. Grasp the relationship between the tools and the art.
4. Utilize the understanding and the fluency to create works of art.

BA Degree with a Major in Visual and Dramatic Arts and a Major Concentration in Film and Photography

For general university requirements, see Graduation Requirements. Students pursuing BA degree with a major in Visual and Dramatic Arts and a major concentration in Film and Photography must complete: 

• A minimum of 52 courses (36-39 credit hours, depending on course selection) to satisfy major requirements.
• A minimum of 520 credit hours to satisfy degree requirements.
• A minimum of 7 courses (25 credit hours) taken at 300-level or above.
• A maximum of 2 courses (6 credit hours) from study abroad or transfer credit. For additional departmental guidelines regarding transfer credit, see Policies tab. 
• requirements of a major concentration. When students declare major in Visual and Dramatic Arts, students must additionally identify and declare one of three major concentrations, either in:
  • Film and Photography, or
  • Studio Art, or
  • Theatre.

It is possible for students to change their major concentration at any time, even after initially declaring major. To do so, please contact the Office of Registrar.

Students pursuing major concentration in Film and Photography are strongly encouraged to explore film-related courses offered in other departments that may enrich their selected major concentration, such as philosophy, anthropology, science, history, cultural studies, language, writing, comparative studies, etc. Students should speak with their faculty advisor prior to enrolling.

courses listed below satisfy this major. In certain instances, courses not on this official list may be substituted upon approval of major’s academic advisor, or where applicable, department's Director of Undergraduate Studies. (Course substitutions must be formally applied and entered into Degree Works by major's Official Certifier.) Students and their academic advisors should identify and clearly document courses to be taken.

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to demonstrate English proficiency in one of two ways:

1. Completing at least two years of full-time study in an English language curriculum prior to submitting an application.

2. Submitting one of the following official test scores.

• The Coalition Application or the Common Application and Rice writing supplement
• $75 nonrefundable application fee (must be paid online)
• Official high school transcript in English (or a certified English translation)
• Recommendation Letters
  • School Counselor
  • Teacher 5
  • Teacher 2
• Demonstration of English proficiency
• International Student Financial Statement
• Architecture portfolio (Architecture applicants only)