Just 15 minutes from San Diego, Grossmont College sits inland, in the city of El Cajun. The two-year community college is overshadowed by El Cajun mountain--a perfect place to snap photos. With 61 academic departments at the college, all students are directed toward an appropriate career pathway. The photography major provides students with the concepts, theories, skills, technology, and the necessary experience to succeed in their chosen occupation. Students first learn about the traditional analog processes of photography, then move to mastering the digital tools necessary for today. Electives within the degree allow for specialization and help photography students gain a career niche.
For almost 100 years, City College has educated a diverse group of students at its downtown campus. The college is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and enrolls slightly more females than males into its six schools. Under the school of Arts, Humanities & Communications, Photography is one of the six Visual and Performing Arts majors. The broad program allows graduates to immediately enter the field of photography or transfer to many four-year colleges. Students can opt for the certificate of achievement or an associate degree program. Course work in either begins with two-dimensional design and basic black & white photography and commences with color transparency photography and enrollment into an elective. Select students may enroll in independent study--a course centered around advanced individual projects in photography.
Southwestern College is located south of San Diego, California, approximately 11 miles north of the Mexican border. As one of the state's 112 public community colleges, Southwestern offers more than 285 associate degree and certificate programs to approximately 20,000 students. Students at the college may pursue a certificate in achievement in professional photography or an Associates in photography. Elements of traditional photography and digital film practices are covered, preparing students to enter the world of professional photography. The programs offer interesting electives, including forensic photography and airbrush 1.
UC San Diego enrolls just over 23,000 students. With a freshmen retention rate of 94 percent and an average GPA of almost 4.0, students persist at UCSD in much greater numbers than at many other colleges. While academics are important, students manage to socialize, too. San Diego is just 15 minutes away and the beaches of the Pacific ocean are within walking distance. Within the department of visual arts, UCSD offers a four-year undergraduate program in media. This program is geared to students studying videography, film making, photography and computer art. The major classes include photographic strategies, advanced camera techniques, fantasy in film and more. Graduates may proceed to more specialized graduate programs in the media arts or enter careers in the industry.