“A picture is worth a thousand words.” For the images you capture, that’s a conservative estimate. So do it for a living.
Students at photography portfolio show
92%
Job Placement
92% job placement within six months of graduation.
#1
In UW Transfers
With over 50+ transfer partners, save time and money when you start at Madison College.
95%
Work Local
95% of our recent graduates work in Wisconsin.

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Photography
Program Number: 102031
Your Degree:
Associate Degree
Area of Study:
Arts, Design and Humanities
Delivery Method:
100% In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
60 Credits | Finish degree in 2 years
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
transfer icon Program Transfers
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$9,953.14

Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • 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.

    Why We Love the Photography Program | Madison College
    iframe added here via JS.
  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2024-2025 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 Semester
    10-203-104
    2 credits
    10-203-105
    2 credits
    10-203-107
    3 credits
    10-203-120
    2 credits
    10-801-195
    3 credits
    10-804-107
    3 credits
    Second Semester
    10-203-108
    3 credits
    10-203-141
    3 credits
    10-203-173
    2 credits
    10-206-130
    3 credits
    10-801-196
    3 credits
    Third Semester
    10-203-121
    3 credits
    10-203-124
    2 credits
    10-203-134
    3 credits
    10-203-174
    3 credits
    Elective
    3 credits
    10-809-197
    3 credits
    Fourth Semester
    10-203-123
    3 credits
    10-203-125
    2 credits
    10-203-126
    2 credits
    10-203-176
    2 credits
    10-203-185
    2 credits
    10-809-199
    3 credits
    Recommended Electives
    10-203-199
    1 credit
    20-815-201
    3 credits
  • Admission

    To Apply

    Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!

    International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.

    Application Dates

    Fall 2024

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is August 31, 2024

    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

    Official transcripts must be sent from the institutions you attended and indicate one of the following:

    • High school  transcript (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
    • GED/HSED transcript
    • College transcript(s) 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

    All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.

    Additional Notes

    • Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
    • Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.

    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.

    apply for admission

    Get Started!

    Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Photography career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Transfer Opportunities

    UW System Schools

    The terms of the Leadership & Org Studies agreement are limited to students who complete an associates of applied science degree and are admitted to the Organizational Studies emphasis of the Leadership and Organizational Studies at UW O. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher

    Wisconsin Private Schools

    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.
    Students who complete the photography program can transfer up to 64 credits toward the Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Leadership offered through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies.

    Out-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. This applies to students who are pursuing a bachelors of arts, bachelors of science or bachelors of fine arts at Bellevue University.
    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.
    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      202020212022
      Number of Program Graduates121313
      Number of Surveys Sent121313
      Number of Surveys Returned799
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment798
      Percent Available for Employment100.00%100.00%88.90%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market0.00%0.00%11.10%
      Available for Employment

      202020212022
      Graduates Employed775
      Percent of Graduates Employed100.00%77.80%62.50%
      Employed in Related Occupation233
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation28.60%42.90%60.00%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation542
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation71.40%57.10%40.00%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Seeking Employment023
      Percent Seeking Employment0.00%22.20%37.50%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202020212022
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.43.13.4
      Number of Satisfaction Responses799
      Very Satisfied (4)354
      Percent Very Satisfied42.90%55.60%44.40%
      Satisfied (3)415
      Percent Satisfied57.10%11.10%55.60%
      Unsatisfied (2)020
      Percent Unsatisfied0.00%22.20%0.00%
      Very Unsatisfed (1)010
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.00%11.10%0.00%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202020212022
      Number of Primary Reason Responses799
      Preparation for Getting a Job143
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job14.30%44.40%33.30%
      Career Change134
      Percent Career Change14.30%33.30%44.40%
      Improvement of Existing Skills221
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills28.60%22.20%11.10%
      Preparation for Further Education100
      Percent Preparation for Further Education14.30%0.00%0.00%
      Personal Interest201
      Percent Personal Interest28.60%0.00%11.10%
      Other000
      Percent Other0.00%0.00%0.00%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202020212022
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses775
      Before Enrollment231
      Percent Before Enrollment28.60%42.90%20.00%
      While Attending the College202
      Percent While Attending the College28.60%0.00%40.00%
      After Training at the College342
      Percent After Training at the College42.90%57.10%40.00%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202020212022
      Number of Employment Location Responses675
      In College District665
      Percent In College District100.00%85.70%100.00%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District000
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Outside of Wisconsin010
      Percent Outside Wisconsin0.00%14.30%0.00%
      Employer Location Unknown000
      Percent Location Unknown0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202020212022
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count112
      Average Monthly Wage$2,322$3,440$4,035
      Average Hourly Wage$13.50$20.00$23.46
      Average Work Hours per Week454055
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count120
      Average Hourly Wage$19.23$28.50
      Average Work Hours per Week301930
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Self-EmployedPhotographerFitchburg
      The Rock AgencyIn-House Photographer

      * - 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

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Your first step is to apply to Madison College. It's easy and free to apply, so get started today!