Develop your Talent
As a photography student at USD, you will develop skills in traditional film, digital and experimental forms of photography. You will be guided by the only full-time art photographic professor in South Dakota's higher education system with more than 35 years of experience. Together, you will explore techniques in photography development, darkroom techniques, printing and the creative process. You will participate in class critiques, lectures and demonstrations on critical issues in photography.
Degrees & Offerings
Art: Photography (MFA)
Master's with SpecializationAs a graduate student, you will take master-level studio courses in materials and methods, creative research photography, concepts and theories, photography issues and master's portfolio/thesis courses. Your coursework will challenge you to dig deeper and grow creatively as you work with faculty who will prepare you for a life as a creative leader and professional artist. Outside of the classroom you will have opportunities for dedicated studio and workstations, assistantships and leadership opportunities within the art community at USD.
Program Details
Graduate
College
Department
Contact
Departments & Facilities

Art
The Department of Art will provide you with unique and applicable real-world experience and connections that enable you to immerse yourself in an environment built for personal and creative discovery.

Our Facility
Here are some of the facilities and resources available to photography students:
- Fully equipped Camera studio: Nikon 3200 Digital SLRs, 8’x 10’ cameras, 4’x5’ cameras, medium format cameras, 35mm single lens reflective cameras
- A large selection of lenses, accessories, LED and hot light kits, analog and digital lab equipment
- Shooting and lighting studio with a high-end strobe system and backdrops
- Black-and-white darkroom with 22 enlargers
- Alternative processes and film developing facility for palladium, wet plate collodion, other historic processes and black and white film processing
- Fully equipped printing shop: Epson 9800 printer, 44” wide Epson 4900 professional printer and 17” wide professional printer

Develop Your Talents

Impacting the World
Exceptional Student Work
Students are encouraged to merge their work in photography with other art forms at USD such as community art, interactivity, installation art and more. This process is reinforced through visiting artists, peer interactions and regular exhibitions in the galleries across campus and in the community.