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Photography A.A. Degree - CalGETC

The Photography Art Program is designed to teach entry-level skills for careers in the photographic industry. Students interested in photography as a visual expression or an adjunct to a vocation will also benefit.

Total Units:
57-61

First Year

Semester 1

15 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered* GE Area
PHOTO 302 Z
Beginning Digital Photography
3
Check Class Schedule for offering
PHOTO 420 Z
History of Photography
3
F, S
Cal-GETC Area 3A
CalGETC Area 1A-English Composition Z
3
Recommend meeting with a counselor
F, S, Su
Cal-GETC Area 1A
CalGETC Area 1B-Critical Thinking & Composition Z
3
F, S, Su
Cal-GETC Area 1B
CalGETC Area 6-Ethnic Studies Z
3
F, S, Su
Cal-GETC Area 6
Z At least one section of this course is offered with free textbooks and is labeled as zero textbook costs (ZTC). If it is a GE area class or elective, there may be several ZTC offerings to fulfill the GE requirement. Use the Free Textbook filter to find these courses. Learn more on the ZTC page of the college website.

Semester 2

13-15 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered* GE Area
PHOTO 312 Z
Intermediate Digital Photography
3
PHOTO 302
Check Class Schedule for offering
PHOTO 320 Z
Color Photography
3
PHOTO 302 or 400
F, S
RTVF 302 Z
Introduction to Digital Design & Storytelling or
3
Check Class Schedule for offering
RTVF 304 Z
Introduction to Multimedia
3
Advisory: CISC 302 or JOUR 330
Check Class Schedule for offering
1.5 - 3 units from List A
1-3
See List A
CalGETC Area 2-Math Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning Z
3
Recommend meeting with a counselor
F, S, Su
Cal-GETC Area 2
Z At least one section of this course is offered with free textbooks and is labeled as zero textbook costs (ZTC). If it is a GE area class or elective, there may be several ZTC offerings to fulfill the GE requirement. Use the Free Textbook filter to find these courses. Learn more on the ZTC page of the college website.

Year 2

Semester 3

14-16 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered* GE Area
PHOTO 400
Digital Imaging
3
F
COMM C1000 Z
Introduction to Public Speaking or
3
F, S, Su
Cal-GETC Area 1C
COMM 361 Z
The Communication Experience
3
Check Class Schedule for offering
Cal-GETC Area 1C
1.5 or 3 units from List A
1-3
See List A
CalGETC Area 4-Social & Behavioral Sciences Z
3
F, S, Su
Cal-GETC Area 4
CalGETC Area 5A-Biological Sciences Z
3
F, S, Su
Cal-GETC Area 5B
CalGETC Area 5C-Lab Z
1
F, S, Su
Cal-GETC Area 5C
Z At least one section of this course is offered with free textbooks and is labeled as zero textbook costs (ZTC). If it is a GE area class or elective, there may be several ZTC offerings to fulfill the GE requirement. Use the Free Textbook filter to find these courses. Learn more on the ZTC page of the college website.

Semester 4

15 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered* GE Area
PHOTO 410
Advanced Digital Imaging
3
PHOTO 400
S
PHOTO 340 Z
Careers in Photography
3
PHOTO 320
S
JOUR 310 1 Z
Mass Media and Society
3
F, S, Su
Cal-GETC Area 4
CalGETC Area 5A-Physical Sciences Z
3
F, S, Su
Cal-GETC Area 5A
CalGETC Area 3B-Humanities Z
3
F, S, Su
Cal-GETC Area 3B
Z At least one section of this course is offered with free textbooks and is labeled as zero textbook costs (ZTC). If it is a GE area class or elective, there may be several ZTC offerings to fulfill the GE requirement. Use the Free Textbook filter to find these courses. Learn more on the ZTC page of the college website.

^You must have passed the prerequisite course(s) with a “C” or better; Corequisite must be taken during the same semester; Advisory means it is recommended but not required to enroll in the course.

*(O) = online available (P) = partially online

1 Also listed as RTVF 300.

List A-a minimum of 3 units from the following:

Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered* GE Area
PHOTO 260 Z
The Eastern Sierra Landscape, Yosemite Valley
2
S
PHOTO 271 Z
Color Management and Printing
1.5
PHOTO 302 or 400
Check Class Schedule for offering
PHOTO 272
Lightroom
1.5
PHOTO 302 or 400
Check Class Schedule for offering
PHOTO 273 Z
Video Capture with DSLRs
1.5
PHOTO 302 or 400
Check Class Schedule for offering
PHOTO 274 Z
Digital Photography Basics
1.5
Check Class Schedule for offering
PHOTO 275 Z
Digital Applications for Alternative Processes
1.5
PHOTO 302 or 400
Check Class Schedule for offering
PHOTO 277 Z
Creating a Digital Portfolio
1.5
PHOTO 302 or 400
Check Class Schedule for offering
PHOTO 278 Z
Flash Photography
1.5
PHOTO 301 or 302
Check Class Schedule for offering
PHOTO 279
Advanced Lightroom
1.5
PHOTO 272
Check Class Schedule for offering
PHOTO 350 Z
Photojournalism
3
PHOTO 310 or 312
Check Class Schedule for offering
Z At least one section of this course is offered with free textbooks and is labeled as zero textbook costs (ZTC). If it is a GE area class or elective, there may be several ZTC offerings to fulfill the GE requirement. Use the Free Textbook filter to find these courses. Learn more on the ZTC page of the college website.

Career Options/Outlook:

Photographers use digital or film cameras and equipment to photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May develop negatives or use computer software to produce finished images and prints. Includes scientific photographers, aerial photographers, and photojournalists.  Career opportunities require more than an associate degree.

A sample of reported job titles:

Advertising Photographer, Commercial Photographer, Newspaper Photographer, Owner/Photographer, Photo Editor, Photographer, Photojournalist, Portrait Photographer, Sports Photographer, Studio Owner

Projected job openings in California (2020-2030):

1,810

Projected growth in California (2020-2030):

27% growth

Median Salary in California (2021):

$46,630/yr

Transfer notes:

Please meet with a counselor for specific transfer course evaluation or transferring to a specific 4-year institution.

General Education (GE):

Non-specified GE courses identified by CRC or Cal-GETC Area without pre- or co-requisites can be taken at any semester.

Honors option:

The CRC Honors Program is designed specifically for academically accomplished students and for students with the potential for high achievement. Students who complete 15 units or more in honors-designated courses will earn special recognition as an Honors Scholar, a distinction that may entitle the student to guaranteed transfer and scholarship opportunities at select transfer colleges and universities.

About this program map:

This program map represents one possible pathway to complete the program. Please see a counselor to create an education plan customized to meet your needs. This map is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.

Zero Textbook Costs (ZTC):

The Zero Textbook Costs designation and logo are added to any course that provides free access to all required instructional materials. These are typically shared with students through Canvas. Courses that are designated as ZTC may still require students to purchase supplemental materials such as lab coats, a calculator, art supplies, etc. See full definitions and searching tips on the Zero Textbook Costs page of the college website.

Catalog Year: 2025-2026

Published October 31, 2025

Counselor Contact: Mike Chappell  | Faculty Contact: Kathryn Mayo

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