Dakota College Photography Program Grows
When Dakota College at Bottineau admissions counselors asked high school students’ what program they would be interested in over seven years ago, photography was at the top of the list. Using that information, Dakota College moved forward with a photography program with approval from the ND State Board of Higher Education.
This unique career and technical program combine classroom instruction with hands-on experience to train students for a rewarding career. Dakota College’s program was developed by Clint Saunders who also teaches courses in the photography program. This program has grown from an original on-campus program to a full online program, and a hybrid program combining on-campus and online instruction.
There are currently three instructors who all have MFA’s in photography and are nationally and internationally recognized for their photography and teaching. Along with our highly qualified instructors we have an amazing studio manager, Leslie Ostreim who assists students in the classroom and with practicum to help them gain real world experience in their chosen field.
As the program has grown, so has its reputation. Intelligent.com recently ranked the DCB photography program as the 9th best overall program in the nation and 1st for best value. We beat out some heavy hitters including the Academy of Art University San Francisco, and Yale.
The Photography program has graduated 26 students with one-year Certificates and/or two-year AAS degrees via online and on-campus delivery. Students gain knowledge and hands-on experience in a variety of photographic careers including portraiture, advertising, documentary, landscape, and sports. Former graduates have gone on to work in the field as photoshop artists, freelance photographers, lead photographers, studio managers, campus photographers, an internship with Disney Corp, several own their own studios, and some have gone on to further their education.
This summer the photography classroom expanded into its own professional building. The former football building has been renovated into a photography classroom and studio. This expansion provides students the room they need to practice their field of choice in a state-of-the-art studio, using state-of- the-art equipment.
Clint and his team invite you to visit them on campus or contact them for a virtual tour via email; clint.saunders@dakotacollege.edu, phone; 307-702-1368, DCB photography on Facebook, or visit the web site at dakotacollege.edu/photography.