B.F.A. in Integrated Lens-Based Media

The School of Film and Photography (SFP) prepares students to meet the challenges of a rapidly expanding media environment as creative artists and critical thinkers. Our students develop their own voices as tomorrow's leaders through intensive hands-on exploration of motion picture, photography, theatre and new-media production.

The School of Film and Photography offers a Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) with concentrations (options) in Film or Photography, plus a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (BFA) in Integrated Lens-Based Media. 

The BA and BFA degree options share a common foundation dedicated to the relationships between film and photography. This integrated foundation permits students to take courses in Film or Photography while they complete the requirements of the option they have selected as their concentration. Students who pursue the BFA will be able to design their own curricular path in consultation with their advisor. 

After the completion of a successful freshman year of introductory courses in media production, analysis, and history, students will continue to develop advanced skills and knowledge of filmmaking and photography over the next the three years.

Both degree options provide flexibility for students to broaden their education with course work outside of the School of Film and Photography. Our students are encouraged to study abroad, minor in another area of interest, and even double major.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Integrated Lens-Based Media in the School of Film & Photography at MSU-Bozeman provides students with an intensive, interdisciplinary course of study in cinematic and photographic media that culminates in the creation of a comprehensive capstone project. The BFA in Integrated Lens-Based Media prepares students to pursue graduate study and for careers as professional artists.

A minimum of 120 credits are required for the BFA degree. 42 of the 120 must be Upper Division (UD) credits (300 or 400).

Program Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate a general knowledge of the interconnected histories and properties of photography and film as evolving technologies, art forms, and social practices.
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the history and criticism of their chosen discipline (photography or film) and the ability to apply this understanding to their creative productions.
• Possess the ability to analyze films and/or photographs demonstrating an understanding of their formal properties, techniques, structures, and aesthetic strategies.
• Demonstrate technical competency in the basic principles of film and photography.
• Demonstrate technical proficiency of either film or photography.
• Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to develop project proposals and express artistic goals relevant to their chosen discipline.
• Demonstrate critical thinking ability by making discerned and informed judgments in the analysis of films and photographs and in the creation or original works of film and/or photography.
• Demonstrate the ability to plan, describe, defend, and execute original artistic creations in their chosen discipline.
• Be able to work effectively in teams.