The photography program supports the exploration of visual literacy through the encouragement of traditional and cross disciplinary practices. 

Importance is placed on student’s personal growth in concept and technique. Graduate photography workshops are designed to provide a contemporary framework for current trends in the medium through readings, offsite visits to artists’ studios, galleries and museums, and through group discussion of works. Students have the opportunity to present their work to visiting artists and curators brought in annually to the photography program.

Students can augment their studies by using School of Art, Art History, and Design and university resources, which include traditional media, projection mapping technologies, robotics, cultural studies, the Writer's Workshop, and the Center for the Book.

The majority of graduate students in photography are awarded teaching assistantships upon their acceptance into the program. Additionally, students have 24-hour access to wide format Epson printers, Imacon and drum scanning technologies, state of the art lighting studio, darkroom, and studio space. The program has an impressive inventory of cameras available for long-term checkout including: Canon 5D mark IV’s, Mamiya 645 digital backs, and large and medium format film cameras.