Academic Catalogs

Photography-Still, Certificate of Achievement

Banner Code: 1_CT_PHST

Control Number: 22408

Financial Aid Eligible


Anyone with an interest in photography, whether beginner, advanced amateur or professional, will find a course or program within the photography program that will teach them new skills and/or prepare them for a career in photography.

The OCC Photography program is intended to prepare students for employment in a number of specialization areas within the field of professional photography. The student, after completing the first year foundation courses, may elect to take advanced courses in art, commercial, advertising illustration, portraiture, architectural, fashion, or documentary photography, color management, digital work flow, and business practices for photographers.

In addition to courses intended to train photographers, the program also includes several black and white and digital classes for professional photographers who wish to learn new skills and/or for those who are interested in careers as photographic digital technicians.

Program Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate competence in the technical skills of photography.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate photographic aesthetic strategies.
  3. Create photographs that illustrate a critical understanding of visual language.

Certificate of Achievement Requirements

The Certificate of Achievement is a state-approved career program that requires a minimum of eight units and is designed to prepare the graduate to enter a particular field of employment.  In order to be awarded a certificate, students are required to obtain a grade of “C” or better in all program-required courses. Grades of “CR” or “P” will be accepted whereas “CR” or “P” meets the equivalency of a “C” or better.  At least 3 units in an advanced course from the certificate must be completed at OCC at the department’s discretion.  Certificates of Achievement are not automatically awarded.  A petition must be filed in Enrollment Services or online at the beginning of the semester in which the student will be completing their final requirements.  The petitioning periods are listed in the Graduation Requirements section of this catalog.  Check with a counselor to determine the requirements for completion.

A list of certificate programs can be found in the Programs A-Z section of this catalog.  

Course Title Units
Required Courses
PHOT A123Introduction to Digital Photography3
PHOT A130History and Aesthetics of Still Photography3
PHOT A101Photography and Society3
or ART A101 Survey of Western Art from Renaissance to Modern
or ART A101H Honors Survey of Western Art from Renaissance to Modern
or ART A102 Survey of Modern and Contemporary Art History
PHOT A125Imaging for Photographers I3
PHOT A127Darkroom For Photography Majors2
PHOT A180Introduction to Professional Photography4
PHOT A188Commercial Photography5
PHOT A225Professional Digital Workflow and Color Management3
Select three units of A200-level PHOT courses 13
PHOT A241Business Practices for Photographers3
PHOT A280Professional Digital Techniques3
PHOT A283Art Photography4
Select two units of A200-level PHOT courses 22
Total Units41
Course Title Units
Restricted Electives: A200-Level Photography Courses
PHOT A200Documentary Photography3
PHOT A220Fashion Photography3
PHOT A223Action Sports Photography3
PHOT A230Photography Since 19453
PHOT A260Art Portfolio Development 11
PHOT A261Art Portfolio Development 21
PHOT A262Commercial Portfolio Development 11
PHOT A263Commercial Portfolio Development 21
PHOT A264Exhibition Preparation 11
PHOT A265Exhibition Preparation 21
PHOT A266Marketing and Self Promotion 11
PHOT A267Marketing and Self Promotion 21
PHOT A282Professional Portraiture3
PHOT A285Wedding and Event Photography3
PHOT A287Alternative Methods3
PHOT A288Editorial and Advertising People Photography3
PHOT A289Architectural Photography3
PHOT A290Advertising Illustration Photography3

Photography - Still Suggested Electives:
ENGL A100 Freshman Composition

Program Sequence

These sequences at Orange Coast College are curriculum maps for students to finish all requirements for the certificate. There may be advisories, prerequisites, or time requirements that students need to consider before following these maps. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor for alternate sequencing.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
ART A101
Survey of Western Art from Renaissance to Modern
or Honors Survey of Western Art from Renaissance to Modern
or Survey of Modern and Contemporary Art History
or Photography and Society
3
PHOT A123 Introduction to Digital Photography 3
PHOT A130 History and Aesthetics of Still Photography 3
 Units9
Semester 2
PHOT A125 Imaging for Photographers I 3
PHOT A127 Darkroom For Photography Majors 2
PHOT A180 Introduction to Professional Photography 4
 Units9
Year 2
Semester 1
PHOT A188 Commercial Photography 5
PHOT A225 Professional Digital Workflow and Color Management 3
PHOT ELECTIVE A200-LEVEL COURSE (See Requirements) 1 3
 Units11
Semester 2
PHOT A241 Business Practices for Photographers 3
PHOT A280 Professional Digital Techniques 3
PHOT A283 Art Photography 4
PHOT ELECTIVE A200-LEVEL COURSE (See Requirements) 2 2
 Units12
 Total Units41