School of Arts & Humanities · Micro-credential
Photography Micro-Credential
Capture stories with purpose.
Photography is a creative language. In this online credential, you’ll learn how light, composition, and editing work together, and you’ll shoot, refine, and present professional-quality photographs.
12
credit hours
4
courses
Fully online
format
Portfolio
review to finish
Is this for me?
This credential may be a great fit if you want to…
- Take photos for marketing, journalism, social media, or teaching.
- Grow from snapshots to intentional, story-driven images.
- Add photography to a major in communication, business, or the arts.
Not sure yet? Talk with the Dean →
What you’ll be able to do
Skills you’ll show
- Master composition, exposure, and lighting.
- Apply technical and creative skills in digital and traditional processes.
- Build a professional-quality photography portfolio.
How it works
Earn it in three steps
A short, focused credential that fits alongside any major and counts toward a Graphic Design degree.
01
Take the courses
Complete the 4 courses below. Each one builds hands-on skills you can use right away.
02
Show your work
At the end of your final required course, submit a portfolio of 3–5 of your best pieces. Faculty or subject experts review it to confirm you’ve mastered the key skills.
03
Keep building
Every course counts toward the BA or BFA in Graphic Design at MVU, so you can stack this credential toward a degree.
Your toolkit: MVU has removed course fees for Graphic Design (GRFX) classes and uses textbooks only when necessary. Plan on a device that can run Adobe Creative Cloud and an active Creative Cloud subscription. For photography courses, you’ll also need a digital SLR camera with full manual control. Phone and point-and-shoot cameras don’t give enough creative control.
The curriculum
Four courses, 12 credit hours
Start with one foundation course, then take raster graphics, digital photography, and advanced photography.
Choose one (3 credit hours)
- GRFX 101 Media & Design Innovation
- ART 204 Media and Design Fabrication
Required courses (9 credit hours)
- GRFX 220 Raster Graphics
- ART 125 Digital Photography
- ART 333 Advanced Photography
Talk with the Dean
Have questions about the courses or how this micro-credential fits with your major? Reach out. We’re happy to talk through your goals.
Photography Micro-Credential
