LaGuardia Community College, located in Long Island City, New York, offers six degree programs in the Creative Arts field, three of which deal with the photography industry. At LaGuardia, students have the opportunity to choose from commercial photography, fine art photography and digital photography. The commercial photography program offers both a one-year Certificate program and a two-year Associate's Degree program. Commercial photography concentrates on the skills necessary to make a living as a commercial photographer, working in a customer-focused photography business. Commercial photography focuses on business practices, self-promotion, portfolio development, and how to secure employment as either a photographer's assistant or staff photographer, according to the LaGuardia Community College website. Fine art photography focuses less on the business aspect of photography and more on artistic, creative photography. Digital photography includes both commercial and artistic elements, but concentrates on digital photography rather than film.
Mohawk Valley Community College, located in Utica, New York, offers a 66 credit Associate's Degree in Photography. At Mohawk Valley, students will learn the skills necessary to work as a photographer including lighting, color photography, photojournalism and digital photography. Students must complete an internship in order to graduate, which provides some real-world, hands-on work experience. Mohawk Valley's program aims to educate students about all the aspects of the photography industry. This allows graduates to have a well-rounded view of the industry, allowing them to pursue additional education or employment.
Kingsborough Community College, located in Brooklyn, New York, offers a program ideal for the budding photographer and artist. The Associate's Degree in Fine Arts combines classes in photography with other arts including sculpture, drawing, painting and art history. Students may choose to concentrate in photography, but also have the option of taking additional courses in other fine arts areas. Students at Kingsborough work with an academic advisor in the art program to design coursework that meets their personal education objectives.
Herkimer County Community College, located in Herkimer, New York, offers a program in Photographic Technology. This program aims to prepare students for employment by focusing on the technical aspect of photography, including equipment operation, photo execution and problem solving skills, according to the school's website. Students at Herkimer take classes in advertising photography, commercial photography, photojournalism and portrait studio photography.