15 BEST ONLINE PHOTOGRAPHY SCHOOLS FOR GETTING DEGREE IN PHOTOGRAPHY

Looking for professional and accredited online photography schools?Would you like to reach the same heights in photography as Annie Leibovitz or Henri Cartier-Bresson? Studying at the photography school will let you move towards your dream even faster.Nowadays, many photographers take online courses in order to bring their shooting skills to a new level and achieve success in this business. View the following list of the best online photography schools and courses to find a suitable option for your budget and skills.

1. The Basics of Photography: The Complete Guide by Lifehacker

Price: Free

Subjects: the structure of the camera, camera modes, image editing

If you are only thinking about conquering the photography industry, begin with this course. It is probably one of the best free online photo courses for beginners.There will be no complicated terms here. Working with a camera, taking photos and editing them– learn all these basic aspects by the means of free online photography lessons for beginners byLifehacker.

2. The Harvard University Introduction to Digital Photography Course

Price: Free

Subjects: basics of digital photography, DSLR cameras, lighting, camera modes

The Harvard University Introduction to Digital Photography is the replacement of the Harvard University Digital Photography course. The free online course is aimed at teaching the most important techniques of digital photography.

This course will help you shoot with a DSLR more confidently and get decent pictures. The course includes a number of modules focused on digital photography and specific topics, for instance, exposure and techniques of the middle complexity level. In case you don’t know English well, the course is translated into other languages.

3. Annie Leibovitz Master Class

Price: all MasterClass courses at $180 per year

Subjects: studio shooting, camera modes, lighting

This online photography school is discussed on all top photography forums as an excellent option for those, who are interested mostly in portrait shooting. You have an opportunity to pay for it yearly or make a one-time payment.

The master class includes over 10 videos along with a workbook featuring extra materials from the single course. A great advantage is that other students and even Annie Leibovitz may give you feedback.

4.Udemy Introduction to Photography Course

Price: Free

Subjects: equipment, camera modes, composition

Another remarkable online video course about photography. All the presented videos are easily understandable, accompanied by examples, demonstrations and illustrations. Once you finish the course, you get a certificate.

Besides, there is a possibility to study additional course modules, but it isn’t obligatory. The course teaches photography basics and touches upon more complicated matters of composition and the use of a histogram.

5. BPSOP Real Estate Photography Course

Price: $129

Subjects: lighting, gear, types of cameras

This course really stands out among all the best real estate photo classes. Why? It is developed for photographers from the middle to professional skill level. Within 4 weeks, you will learn how to arrange a composition, set up lighting, especially when it comes to photographing interiors.

The information on the shooting and lighting gear is also included. With this course, you will figure out how to deal with shadows and highlights, select the proper lighting accessory for the composition, estimate light quality and why it is better to pick an umbrella rather than a lightbox.

6. Computational Photography by Coursera

Price: 7-day free trial, then $39-79 per month

Subjects: cameras, exposure, composition

If you already know a thing or two about photography, this course will be an excellent variant. Offered through Georgia Tech, it describes the technical side of photography. Aside from the knowledge of photography basics, you need to know Maths at the college level to understand the information better.

7. Photography Studies College

Price: from $550

Subjects: photojournalism, camera types, depth of field

This college provides students with an opportunity to acquire a Bachelor’s degree in photography within two years and a half. Online and part-time courses are present as well. Thanks to the mentorship programs, students interact with photography experts while being at PSC.

During the first year of study, you can learn conceptual training and general techniques. In the final year, students can pick a major in art photography, photojournalism or commercial photography. In case you wish to pursue a career of a photojournalist, it is one of the best photography schools online with an all-round curriculum.

8. Academy of Art University

Price:

• $50 one term – application fee
• $20 per semester – registration fee
• $100 per semester – tuition deposit
• $873 per unit – undergraduate tuition
• $982 per unit – graduate tuition

Subjects: photo formats and editing, fine art photos

Being one of the most respected online photography schools, Academy of Art University tries to provide students with all the information necessary for achieving success in the sphere. Students may choose between multiple options – toget a degree online and being guided along the way.

The university presents the following programs: Associate of Arts in Photography, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography, Master of Fine Arts in Photography, Master of Arts in Photography and Online Award of Completion in Photography. The main advantages of the school are different payment plans and student employment programs.

9. New York Institute of Photography

Price: $500-$1200 per course - tuition

Subjects: the difference between types of photography, gear, lighting

NYIP often occupies the first place on the lists of photography schools onlineand offline. As for now, it provides 11 courses. Several of them are dedicated to portrait photography, photojournalism and travel photography.

The studying process is varied, with the use of audio messages, regular text lessons and digital files. Students prepare a project at the end of every unit and then receive a review from the mentor. After completing the course, students get an NYIP Graduate Certificate.

When applying to NYIP, payment information and a filled-in online application are required. Also, we should mention the school’s affordable tuition costs, tuition discounts and the ability to pay monthly.

10. The Photography Institute

Price: $999 (one-time payment); $183.17 per month (monthly payments)

Subjects: composition, software, printing

One of the best accredited online photography schools provides students with a contemporary Diploma Course in Professional Photography. The course consists of 12 modules. Students have an opportunity to get in touch with the most prominent lecturers in the sphere.

Students learn everything concerning photography gear and software, metering and exposure, image retouching, printing and resolution. Applying to the Photography Institute, you have to pick a payment plan, give contact information and send an online application.

Among the advantages of the school are affordable tuition fee, different ways to pay monthly and a 7-day refund guarantee.

11. Columbus State Community College

Price:

• $135.93 per credit hour – in-state tuition
• $301.03 per credit hour – out-of-state tuition
• $361.24 per credit hour – international tuition

Subjects: photography basics,the structure of the camera, image editing

This online school presents a vast selection of dedicated degree programs for both beginners and photographers with a particular skill level. Students get detailed and latest information on different photography points – technical, business- and creativity-related ones.

They receive an all-round education aimed at developing and improving their skills. The main advantages of studying at this online photography school are state and federal grants, possibilities to get alternative and institutional scholarships, private and federal loans, student employment programs, veterans’ and military benefits.

12. Savannah College of Art and Design

Price:

• $40 one time – application fee
• $11,730 per quarter (full-time); $7,820 per quarter (part-time); $3,910 per quarter (less than part-time) – undergraduate tuition
• $12,015 per quarter (full-time); $8,010 per quarter (part-time); $4,005 per quarter (less than part-time) – graduate tuition

Subjects: equipment, settings, ideas for shooting

SCAD is among the most renowned online colleges for photography in the USA. It presents three remarkable online degree programs in photography that will help build up a successful photographer career. Studentscan learn about different photography areas and directions.

When applying to SCAD, a filled-in online application, skillfully created portfolio, official high school transcripts and an application fee (without an ability to ask for a refund) are required. The benefits of studying at SCAD are state and federal grants, possibilities to get external and institutional scholarships, private and federal loans.

13. American Intercontinental University

Price:

• $302 per credit hour – tuition
• $125 per quarter – technology fee

Subjects: lighting, camera modes, image editing

Studying photography online at American Intercontinental University, you have a chance to gain more knowledge about shooting, lighting and image editing, using innovative techniques and gear. Students can explore such photography sections as lighting and camera, audio and film, image post-production of different levels.

When applying to this university, you have to send a filled-in online application, official high school transcripts and prove that you are proficient in English and Mathematics. The main advantages of the university are employer tuition reimbursement, veterans’ and military benefits, an opportunity to get institutional grants and external scholarships.

14. Santa Barbara City College

Price: $1,653 per program – tuition

Subjects: illustrations, graphic design, color management

The Santa Barbara City College is one of the best online colleges for photography for those, who want to study both technology and design simultaneously. While acquiring a degree here, students create projects, using innovative electronic media, publication and typographic design, advertising illustration photography, color management and photojournalism.

The college provides two types of programs – photography and graphic design. When applying to the college, you need to submit a filled-in online application and official high school/military transcripts.

As for the advantages, we would like to mention the possibility to get a scholarship, a state grant, private and federal loans, and a variety of payment plans.

15. Stratford Career Institute

Price:

• $589 per program—tuition
• $10 one time—down-payment fee

Subjects: design, gear, photography business

Stratford Career Institute is a greateducational establishment for those, who are interested in learning photography basics. The goal of the online program is to show students how to successfully launch, strengthen and develop their personal photography businesses.

All students get the most important and relevant information and equipment to practice. To apply to the institute, you have to be no younger than 18 years old and send official high school transcripts. This school is worth considering due to such advantages as affordable tuition costs and a variety of monthly payment plans with 0% interest.