Photography Certificate
Title Effective Spring 2025: Commercial Photography Certificate
Award: Certificate in Photography
No. of credits required: 18
For more information: Contact Professor Jeff Rollinger, 443-412-2350, jrollinger@harford.edu; or Admissions, 443-412-2109.
Program Description
The Photography Certificate is designed to prepare students for employment in the field of photography. This program focuses on the development of skills and competencies in the use of various camera, lighting, and image-processing equipment, and on the development and application of aesthetics and personal style in the creation of photographic images. Commercial photography certificate holders will create a diverse and marketable portfolio that places them into a better position to compete with associate of arts and bachelor of arts degree graduates. This certificate will align directly to the AFA photography track within the Art + Design program.
Program Goals
Upon completion of the Certificate in Photography students will be able to:
- Communicate original content using discipline-specific concepts.
- Create art and design using multiple specialized techniques and processes.
- Evaluate art and design with an evolved and informed aesthetic judgment.
Employment Information
In 2021 arts and culture added $1.016 trillion to the US GDP, according to the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA). The creative workforce in the US was 4.9 million in arts and cultural jobs, $504 billion in wages and accounted for 3.2% of all US jobs. Artists and designers are 3.6 times more likely to be self-employed and 63% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, and creativity, originality and initiative is the number five skill predicted to be in demand for 2025. For more information, visit the following websites: NASAA and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report for photographers.
Certificate Requirements
In order to earn a certificate from Harford Community College, students must demonstrate basic competencies in English, reading, and mathematics by completing: ENG 018 Integrated Reading and Writing, MATH 020 Pre-Algebra I, and/or a qualifying exam must be passed.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 101 | Fundamentals of 2D Design | 3 |
| PHOT 101 | Black & White Photography I | 3 |
| PHOT 102 | Black & White Photography II | 3 |
| PHOT 131 | Digital Photography I | 3 |
| PHOT 202 | Alternative Photographic Processes | 3 |
| PHOT 206 | Studio Lighting | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |