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If you’d like to learn more about the Photography program, we’d love to talk with you.
We’re here to answer any questions and guide you through our application process step-by-step.
Send us your contact information, and we’ll help you get started right away!
Financial Aid Available-
Program Overview
The Photography Associate Degree program at Madison College is designed to equip you with a solid foundation in commercial photography. Our courses will help you develop an individual style, give you hands-on experience with the latest digital technologies, and provide you with the business skills necessary to succeed in the field of photography. Madison College's Photography program combines classroom lectures and demonstrations, practical hands-on assignment work in studios and labs, and real-world experience through internships and assignments that emulate contract work for clients.
Graduates of Madison College's Photography program will participate in our annual employer-attended portfolio show and enter the job market with a professional portfolio showing prospective employers the skills and capabilities acquired at Madison Area Technical College.
Photography Program Details
Students in the Photography program can attend full- or part-time.
Photography classes are offered at the Madison College Truax campus.
Your Advantages at Madison College
- Take on-campus classes with professional photographers who teach vital skills and share real-world experiences.
- Test the latest digital photography technologies in our fully equipped photography studio at the Truax campus.
- Join the Madison College Creative Arts Collective to learn and network outside of your classes.
- Show your photography work to potential employers in Madison College’s annual portfolio show.
Careers in Photography
Earning your associate degree in Photography at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for a range of professional positions in the field of photography, including:
- Professional Photographer
- Portrait and Wedding Photographer
- Commercial Photographer
- Architectural Photographer
- Industrial Photographer
- Corporate Staff Photographer
- Government Staff Photographer
- Commercial Studio Assistant
- Portrait Studio Assistant
- Photojournalist
- Editorial Photographer
- DSLR Videographer and Editor
Program Video
Watch the video to learn why Madison College students love the Photography program.
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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2025-2026 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.
Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:
- Progress toward your specific requirements
- Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements
If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.
First SemesterSecond SemesterThird SemesterFourth SemesterRecommended Electives -
Admission
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
If you are an international student and want to apply to Madison College, or transfer your F-1 student visa here, check program availability and then complete the International Admission Process.
Apply Now – Secure Your Spot!
This program has a limited number of seats available. We encourage early applications to secure your spot, but the program has not historically reached full capacity.
Application Dates
Fall 2026
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 2026
Admission Requirements
All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.
1. Admission Application
The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.
2. Education Completion
Submit official transcripts from the institutions you attended that indicate one of the following:
- High school completion (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED completion
- College transcript or Madison College experience showing:
- Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
- At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
- The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
- Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum
- Credits completed at Madison College are evaluated and do not require a transcript
All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.
Additional Notes
Individual courses may have prerequisites to enroll. Admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses. See the Curriculum section for the list of courses for the program.
After Acceptance
Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College.
Questions?
Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Photography career.
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Transfer Opportunities
UW System Schools
The terms of the B.S in Leadership & Org Studies agreement are limited to students who complete selective A.A.S or A.A.A. degrees and are admitted to the Organizational Studies emphasis at UW-Oshkosh. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higherWisconsin Private Schools
Qualified students who meet the admission criteria of Concordia University Inc. and are admitted under the Advanced Transfer Core are guaranteed transferability of academic courses of up to 84 credits of D or above earned at a Wisconsin Technical College System institution. Qualified students are those who have completed the Associate Degrees, Associate of Arts (AA) or Sciences (AS), Associate Degree of Applied Arts (AAA) or Applied Sciences (AAS)Student who earn an Associate Degree from Madison College can transfer a minimum of 60 credits and a maximum of 72 credits to Lakeland College to be applied to the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree.Mount Mary University will recognize an earned AA, AS, and AAS degree and guarantee those students junior standing. Outlines main transfer equivalancies.Bachelor of Science in Business Management and LeadershipOut-of-State Schools
Students who complete any associate degree at Madison Area Technical College will have no additional general education core curriculum requirements to meet but must satisfy the Kirkpatrick Signature Series requirement.Students graduating with an associate degree from MATC with a 2.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admissions into CSU-Global and can transfer up to 64 semester credits from MATC to be applied toward earning a Bachelor’s Degree at CSU-Global. -
Career Outcomes
After completing the Photography program at Madison Area Technical College, you will be able to:
- Apply the principles of design and storytelling to develop media products and services.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the use of media software, tools, and technology.
- Implement creative solutions from concept through completion.
- Communicate creative rationale in formal and informal settings.
- Implement project management skills to meet customer and market demands.
- Apply effective and ethical business practices.
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2022 2023 2024 Number of Program Graduates 13 13 12 Number of Surveys Sent 13 13 12 Number of Surveys Returned 9 7 7 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 8 6 7 Percent Available for Employment 88.9% 85.7% 100.0% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 11.1% 14.3% 0.0% Available for Employment
2022 2023 2024 Graduates Employed 5 5 6 Percent of Graduates Employed 62.5% 83.3% 85.7% Employed in Related Occupation 3 2 1 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 60.0% 40.0% 16.7% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 2 3 5 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 40.0% 60.0% 83.3% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Seeking Employment 3 1 1 Percent Seeking Employment 37.5% 16.7% 14.3% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.4 3.4 3 Number of Satisfaction Responses 9 7 7 Very Satisfied (4) 4 3 3 Percent Very Satisfied 44.4% 42.9% 42.9% Satisfied (3) 5 4 2 Percent Satisfied 55.6% 57.1% 28.6% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 1 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 14.3% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 14.3% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Number of Primary Reason Responses 9 7 7 Preparation for Getting a Job Percent Preparation for Getting a Job Career Change Percent Career Change Improvement of Existing Skills Percent Improvement of Existing Skills Preparation for Further Education Percent Preparation for Further Education Personal Interest Percent Personal Interest Other Percent Other 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% When Employment was Obtained
2022 2023 2024 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 5 5 6 Before Enrollment 1 2 2 Percent Before Enrollment 20.0% 40.0% 33.3% While Attending the College 2 3 0 Percent While Attending the College 40.0% 60.0% 0.0% After Training at the College 2 0 4 Percent After Training at the College 40.0% 0.0% 66.7% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2022 2023 2024 Number of Employment Location Responses 5 5 6 In College District 5 2 2 Percent In College District 100.0% 40.0% 33.3% In Wisconsin, Not in District 0 2 3 Percent of In Wisconsin 0.0% 40.0% 50.0% Outside of Wisconsin 0 0 0 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Employer Location Unknown 0 1 1 Percent Location Unknown 0.0% 20.0% 16.7% Salary Trend 2022 2023 2024 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 2 1 1 Average Monthly Wage $4,035 $4,300 $3,096 Average Hourly Wage $23.46 $25.00 $18.00 Average Work Hours per Week 55.0 50.0 42.0 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 0 1 Average Hourly Wage $100.00 Average Work Hours per Week 30.0 20.0 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2024 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Harmann Studios Photo Editor DePere * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.
** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.
*** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu
