Study photography, cinematography and graphic design from a multi-disciplinary perspective in visual communications.
The Visual Communications program offers four distinct tracks of study:
Photography: Photojournalism and Editorial
Photography: Commercial and Advertising
Graphic design
Cinematography
In the photojournalism and editorial photography track, the focus of your study will be focusing on visual storytelling and learning the skills and ethics of being in the field as stories unfold, capturing moments for news organizations, publications, and the ever-changing landscape of communication platforms.
The commercial and advertising photography track encompasses understanding the full workflow of making images for advertising, commercial use, fashion, portraits, and publications for print and the web.
The graphic design track emphasizes strategy, problem solving and human-centered design to create smart, compelling, innovative solutions in both print and pixels, including motion, augmented reality, virtual reality, 3D and spatial design, brand systems, UI/UX, product design, dynamic typography, and publication design.
In the cinematography track, you’ll learn theories and techniques involved with the art of making motion pictures and video storytelling. Cinematography students learn the skills and techniques of the visual narrative with classes designed to teach camera techniques, lighting, lensing, composition, movement, crew management, color science, and photochemistry.
Courses
All students take foundational courses in:
Multimedia Storytelling
Introduction to Graphic Design
Introduction to Photography for Multimedia
Sample courses include:
Photographic Storytelling
Visual Editing and Project Development
Light and Concept
Commercial and Advertising Photography and Multimedia
Typographic Design
Motion Design
Cinematic Light and Lens
Cinematic Storytelling
As a Newhouse graduate with a major in Visual Communications, you can explore careers including:
Photojournalist
Photo editor
Commercial Photographer
Fashion photographer
Graphic designer
Animator/motion designer
Cinematographer
Director of photography
September 2025
S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
Syracuse University,
SYRACUSE,
New York,
13244, United States
You must be enrolled in, or have graduated from, an accredited secondary school.
English Proficiency:
Preferred TOEFL: 102+
Preferred IELTS: 7.0+ (7.5 preferred)
Preferred Cambridge: 185+ (191 preferred)
Duolingo (2024 applicants): 135+
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.