Photography is a Master Degree program offered by Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA. The program takes 63 units to complete, with a total tuition of $97,713.
Program Overview
The MFA program provides advanced practice and intensive study of the photographic medium. Core curriculum covers historical perspective, advanced theoretical and conceptual development in traditional, experimental and digital photography capture, post-production and output. The program culminates with a formal thesis project and complete body of work that supports the thesis and showcases each student's unique vision and talent.
At Academy of Art University’s School of Photography, you’ll learn the technical skills behind great images: camera work, lighting, and post-production. At the same time, you’ll develop a creative voice that’s entirely your own. Every assignment will move you closer to a portfolio that shows both your craft and your point of view.
You’ll learn from working photographers with experience in commercial, documentary, and fine art work. And you’ll join a tight-knit community of faculty, peers, and alumni who will support your growth during school and beyond.
What sets this Program apart
At the School of Photography, you’ll master image capture, editing, lighting, and visual design—core tools for crafting powerful images with intention. You’ll direct shoots with confidence and build a portfolio that reflects your artistic voice.
Specialized topics in advanced digital imaging, fashion & beauty, motion capture, and AI will give you a technical range across commercial, editorial, fine art, and documentary photography.
Every project will sharpen your skills and vision, and will present you with new opportunities. You’ll graduate with a portfolio that reflects both fluency and originality—ready to lead in a field that’s as diverse, dynamic, and evolving as your work.
Admission Requirements and Process
The Academy requires graduate applicants to demonstrate their ability and intent to complete a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA) or Master of Architecture program (M. Arch.). After submitting the application form and application fee, graduate applicants must submit a statement of intent, a résumé, college transcripts showing completion of at least a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent, and a portfolio/reel. Upon receiving all application requirements, the department will review and will recommend that the student be accepted, not accepted or allowed to enroll in Graduate Preparatory Coursework.
General Requirements
- Bachelor’s degreeTranscripts must show completion of at least a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent; you must submit official or unofficial transcripts from the institution from which you graduated.
- Application and feeSubmit the graduate application form and the $50 non-refundable application fee.
- Statement of IntentSubmit an explanation of Graduate School goals and desired outcomes of the graduate degree in a one page, typed essay.
- RésuméSubmit an itemized list of educational and professional experience.
- Portfolio/ReelA body of work representing the chosen discipline is required for class placement in the graduate program; additional materials may be required by the specific departments.
- Department reviewUpon receiving all application requirements, the department will review and will recommend that the student be accepted, not accepted or allowed to enroll in Graduate Preparatory…
Application Process
- 1Meet with an Admissions SpecialistSchedule a meeting with one of our admissions specialists. They’ll guide you to the school and program that best fits your goals and help you navigate the application process.
- 2Apply for admissionSubmit the graduate application form and the $50 non-refundable application fee.
- 3Send your supporting documentsSubmit your Statement of Intent, résumé and college transcripts showing completion of at least a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent.
- 4Submit your portfolio/reelSubmit a body of work representing your chosen discipline; registration for the appropriate classes is based on the skills demonstrated in the portfolio/reel.
- 5Department reviewThe department reviews your application and recommends that you be accepted, not accepted or allowed to enroll in Graduate Preparatory Coursework.
- 6File the FAFSAComplete the FAFSA online at studentaid.gov and use Academy of Art University’s Federal School ID Number: 007531.FAFSA Code for San Francisco Campus: 007531
Program Schedule
Start dates. Spring 2027 semester starts 2/3/2027 (application deadline 1/25/2027); Summer 2027 starts 6/21/2027 (deadline 6/14/2027); Fall 2027 starts 9/8/2027 (deadline 8/30/2027).
Graduate students must carry a minimum study load of 9 units to be considered as full-time students. Students are expected to attend summer semesters to meet their scheduled completion date.
On-site classes are offered Monday through Saturday in time blocks of 8am-11am, 11am-2pm, 2pm-5pm and 5pm-8pm, with Saturday classes from 9:30am-12:30pm and 1pm-4:30pm.
- February 03rd, 2027
- June 21st, 2027
- September 08th, 2027
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Tuition. Graduate & Art Teaching Credential tuition for Fall 2026–Summer 2027 is $1,551 per unit for domestic students ($1,857 per unit for international students); tuition is the same for both on-campus and online classes. This 63-unit program’s tuition is $97,713 for domestic students.
Fees.
- Application Fee: $50 (one-time, nonrefundable)
- Registration Fee: $50 per semester (nonrefundable after the cancellation period)
- Enrollment Fee: $95 for first-term domestic students, charged in lieu of the $50 registration fee ($100 for international students)
- Student Activity Fee: $30 per semester, on-site only; waived for students taking all courses online
- Student Tuition Recovery Fund: $0
- Course fees vary by course; fees may be different for on-campus sections and online sections
- Materials/Supplies: $545 average per semester
Estimated total program cost for a full-time, onsite, domestic student (effective fall semester 2026): application fee $50, enrollment fee $95, registration fees $300, student activity fees $210, estimated course fees $2,248–$5,412, for an estimated $100,616–$103,780 due for the entire program.
Payment options. Academy of Art offers many different ways to help you structure your payments, including interest-free installment plans and pre-payment options. The installment plan enables students to pay their tuition in four separate payments during Fall and Spring and two separate payments for Summer.
Financial aid. Federal aid available to Academy of Art University graduate students includes Federal Work Study, Direct Stafford (unsubsidized) Loans and Direct Graduate PLUS Loans. Complete the FAFSA using Academy of Art University’s Federal School ID Number: 007531.
Military and veterans. The Academy processes the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33), the Yellow Ribbon Program, Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapters 30 and 1606), Veteran Readiness & Employment (Chapter 31), DEA (Chapter 35), Military Tuition Assistance and MyCAA.
Net Price Calculator. Estimate your cost with the Academy of Art University Net Price Calculator: https://npc.collegeboard.org/student/app/academyart
Living expenses. The cost of attendance budget includes the costs of tuition and fees, books, supplies, monthly allowances for room and board, transportation to and from school, and personal expenses such as clothes. Estimates of (Monthly) Living Expenses, 2026-2027:
- Food & Housing: $1,393 (student living with parents); $2,729 (student not living with parents); $4,133 (student living on campus, avg.)
- Personal Expenses: $507; $634; $441
- Transportation: $134; $184; $154
Federal student loan debt. From the program’s School Performance Fact Sheet:
- Most recent three year cohort default rate, as reported by the United States Department of Education: 2023: 0%; 2024: 0%.
- The percentage of enrolled students in 2023/2024 receiving federal student loans to pay for this program: 2023: 43%; 2024: 46%.
- The percentage of graduates in 2023/2024 who took out federal student loans to pay for this program: 2023: 25%; 2024: 33%.
- The average amount of federal student loan debt of 2023/2024 graduates who took out federal student loans at this institution: 2023: $14,395; 2024: $14,864.
Curriculum
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Degree – Major Classes.
This program is available online and on campus.
Unit Requirements.
- Major Coursework: 30 units
- Directed Study: 18 units
- Electives: 6 units
- Graduate Liberal Arts: 9 units
- Total: 63 units
MFA Photography Degree Requirements.
- Minimum grade of C in all required 63 units.
- Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and the following Academic Study requirements:
- 1 Art Historical Awareness & Aesthetic Sensitivity course
- 1 Cross Cultural Understanding course
- 1 Professional Practices & Communications course
Program Learning Outcomes.
Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:
MFA Thesis Project
- Produce an advanced-level thesis project within a digital or traditional specialization, demonstrating mastery and synthesis of the skills taught in the program
Thesis Project Development
- Propose a solid concept suitable for refinement and development
- Select an appropriately challenging and feasible project
- Present a cohesive body of work
- Successfully articulate the end result of the project
- Demonstrate sufficient preparation for their project (research, problem solving)
Conceptual and Design Skills
- Make creative decisions that optimize conceptual impact, cohesiveness and personal style
- Integrate conceptual and technical elements of photography to convey a story, idea, or emotion
- Effectively deploy design elements within the composition and presentation of the imagery
Technical Skills
- Utilize effective lighting styles, techniques and equipment appropriate to art for commerce, photojournalism/documentary, or fine art applications, as determined by projects and professional focus
- Master exposure, lighting ratios, and post–production skills as appropriate to the project
Communication and Analysis
- Communicate ideas and proposals clearly, verbally and in writing, including defending work and choices made during capture, output and presentation
- Demonstrate professional behavior throughout the review process
- Critique their photographs with an understanding of technical, aesthetic, and historical context
- Build on feedback to improve their body of work
Professional Readiness
- Assemble a cohesive portfolio, which shows a unique personal view and style
- Produce and present professional quality materials
- Clearly articulate future plans and goals in the area of photographic specialty
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
Our graduates influence contemporary culture—building iconic brands, launching advertising campaigns, publishing books, exhibiting worldwide, and producing documentary work that tells powerful human stories. Others lead innovation in digital media, entertainment, and emerging technologies.
- Commercial Photographer
- Fine Art Photographer
- Documentary Photographer
- Editorial Photographer
- Fashion Photographer
- Portrait Photographer
- Food & Product Photographer
- Photography Instructor
Program performance. From the program’s School Performance Fact Sheet filed with the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (calendar years 2023 & 2024, revised November 25, 2025):
- On-Time Completion Rate: 2023: 25% (10 of 40 students available for graduation); 2024: 29% (10 of 34 students available for graduation).
- Placement Rate % Employed in the Field: 2023: 45% (5 of 11 graduates available for employment); 2024: 8% (1 of 13 graduates available for employment).
- License Examination Passage Rates: Not Applicable.
- Annual salary and wages reported for 2023 graduates employed in the field (5): $10,001 - $15,000: 1; $40,001 - $45,000: 1; more than $100,000: 1; No Salary Information Reported: 2.
- Annual salary and wages reported for 2024 graduates employed in the field (1): $60,001 - $65,000: 1.
Graduation and retention rates (university-wide).
- Graduate Students (Full-time): % of all incoming full-time students (503) in Fall 2019 graduated in 5 years: 75%.
- Retention Rates – 2024 Cohort: All incoming full-time graduate students (199) in Fall 2024 re-enrolled in Fall 2025: 81%.
What to expect as a Academy of Art University student
The School of Photography takes you beyond the classroom, into the field, the studio, and the city. Guest talks from working photographers bring real-world insight. Collaborations with departments like Fashion push your creative edge. Access to professional gear lets you turn San Francisco into your set. With regular gallery exhibitions, you’ll immerse yourself in the creative energy of students, alumni, and faculty, share your own work with the world, and build meaningful connections within a vibrant and professional community of artists.
Campus Address
Why Accreditation Is Important
Academy of Art University is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), currently on warning; its accredited status continues during the Warning period.
Approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
Accreditations
Student Demographics
These are demographics for all students at the San Francisco Campus (IPEDS, 2024).
Percentages are of total fall enrollment. 910 students whose race or ethnicity was not reported are included in that total but shown as no category, so the figures above come to 83.4% rather than 100%.
Testimonials
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