These are located throughout the country in 35 campuses. Two are in Virginia, one in Loudon County and one in Virginia Beach. They are a system of schools that provide leading quality education in the areas of creative and applied arts. Their degree programs reflect real-life career requirements in the professional sector. Degree courses are offered in Photographic Imaging and Commercial Photography. One degree offered is the Photography Associate of Science, which prepares graduates for entry-level positions in various areas of photography. The degree duration is 21 months and graduates are ready for entry-level careers such as photographic assistants or digital imaging artists. The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree will open doors into positions in journalism, commercial photography, advertising photography and other possibilities.
The photography degree program is offered at the Virginia Commonwealth University's School of the Arts in Richmond, Virginia. The School has over 3,000 students and was started by Theresa Pollak in 1928. The program offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography and Film for undergraduates. It is a professional degree and students who graduate can then choose still photography, film making or both. Those who majors in photography acquire the technical skills needed for careers as a professional artist or commercial photographer.
Other Virginia Schools offer degrees or certificates in photography. Southwest Virginia Community College offers a Certificate of Photography. Northern Virginia Community College and Thomas Nelson Community College offer an associate's degree. Virginia Intermont College and Eastern Mennonite University offer a bachelor's degree.
Every state has photography workshops and weekend or evening classes. This is a potentially useful way of adding to existing skills or acquiring new ones. It can also be a way of making connections with professional photographers who are already established in the industry and who can share insights, tips and first-hand knowledge in the field of photography. Some photography businesses offering workshops in the Virginia include Bill and Linda Lane Field Photography Workshops, Barefoot Contessa Photo Adventures and Tony Sweet Photography.