Photo of students in news studio

Department of Journalism » Photojournalism

Photojournalism Program

For more than half a century the Photojournalism program at Boston University’s College of Communication has graduated photographers who become top professionals at newspapers, magazines, wire services, agencies, and in the freelance market. The program is an intense, hands-on, career oriented sequence employing both traditional and digital technologies. Our graduates have won Pulitzer Prizes and World Press Awards and work for major news organizations including The New York Times, Associated Press, The Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, Time, Newsweek, and international photo agencies.

Advanced students graduate with a thorough knowledge of digital photography gained through use of our state of the art cameras and photo lab. We are committed to educating well-rounded journalists with a full range of skills, so all students are required to take classes in news writing and fundamentals of journalism as well as a strong foundation of liberal arts courses.

Digital Photo Lab

Our program recognizes the changing nature of the profession of photojournalism, and we require students to learn skills necessary for successful careers in new media. Courses are offered in photo editing, page design, and production of web pages for the internet. In addition, students are encouraged to explore classes in multi-media as electives.

The photojournalism faculty consists of photographers and editors with many years of real world experience in the profession. Guest speakers and workshop leaders from a variety of news organizations introduce the latest skills and technology, and give students the opportunity to have their work critiqued by top professionals in the field.

Students in both the undergraduate and graduate programs are strongly encouraged to pursue professional internships, and faculty advisers are available to help students secure these positions. In addition, student photojournalists can build their portfolios through College of Communication publications, the program’s website, and the university’s daily newspaper.

Admissions Information

For undergraduate admissions information, please contact admissions@bu.edu.

For graduate admissions information, please contact comgrad@bu.edu.

For specific questions about the program, please contact Associate Professor Peter Southwick at pasouth@bu.edu, or 617 353-3463.