One-Year Certificate Programs
Creative Practices
August through May
The Creative Practices program embraces a diverse range of photographic approaches for innovative expression in an atmosphere of cooperative learning. Students are not only encouraged to explore and define their own goals, but also challenged to situate their work within the broader context of the cultural, artistic, sociopolitical, and psychological use of images. Featuring an accelerated investigation into the history of photography, contemporary theory, and craft, the curriculum also boasts a large selection of electives.
Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism
August through May
The Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism program focuses specifically on the investigative skills and technical knowledge necessary for students to advance in the complex and constantly changing world of visual storytelling. ICP’s long-standing commitment to documentary practice ensures that this program engages faculty who are some of the foremost practitioners in the field today. Visiting photographers discuss best practices, methodologies, and innovative media, as well as political, ethical, and social concerns.
Documentary Practice: Visual Storytelling (Online)
January through December
This 12-month online program allows students who are unable to attend ICP’s full-time program in New York City the opportunity to participate from around the globe. Tailored specifically to the online environment this rigorous program will offer a combination of intensive classroom guided study and independent fieldwork.
Image by Nina Kostamo Descha (DOC Online '22)
Program Overview
Program Costs
On-Site Programs
Annual Tuition: $36,000 $26,000*
Annual Lab Fee: $1,500
Equipment Insurance Fee: $142
Slideroom Application Fee: $60
Total Cost: $27,702
*A significant gift has allowed ICP to lower the tuition for the onsite One-Year Certificate Programs for 2025-26 academic year by $10,000. Tuition for both the Creative Practices and the Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism programs is now $26,000, plus fees. The standard annual tuition for ICP's OYC programs is $36,000.
Online Programs
Annual Tuition: $12,500
Application Fee: $60
Total Cost: $12,560
Application Checklist
Portfolio
A portfolio of 15-20 photographic images. Each image should be a jpeg not exceeding 5mb and no larger than 1280 x 1280 at 72ppi. Videos up to five minutes in length may also be submitted. Please test all digital materials before submitting.
Statement of Purpose
A one-page Statement of Purpose with less than 500 words describing your reasons for applying to the program and elaborating on the influences on your work, its current direction, and your research interests.
English Language Proficiency Requirement
In addition to the general admission requirements, all international applicants whose primary/native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English. International applicants must submit valid English language proficiency test results taken within the past two years. We permit applicants to submit one of the following tests: TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo English Test.
Proof of High School Completion
Copy of Transcript or Diploma from High School, College, University or any equivalent. This document must be in English.
Resume or CV
A summary of education, professional, and other relevant experiences.
Letters of Recommendation
Submit two letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant's personal and artistic strengths. Recommenders should be familiar with the applicant's work and may include professionals from any field, such as employers, professors, mentors, or practicing artists—not necessarily limited to photography. Recommenders are encouraged to assess the applicant's academic abilities, creative vision, and potential for success in the program.
Application Fee
$60 Application Fee
Work Study (Onsite Programs)
All domestic and international students in the One-Year Certificate programs are eligible to apply for Campus Work-Study positions in various departments within the ICP School and Museum. These include Public Programs, Marketing, Community Programs, Exhibitions & Collections, the Photo Lab, Equipment Room, and Library.
Students can apply for positions at the beginning of the academic year through the ICP hiring process. Typically, students are assigned 5 hours of work per week. A Work-Study info session will be held during orientation to explain how to apply and which positions are available.
After the info session, students will gain access to the ICP employee portal, where they can submit both their resume and cover letter. If selected for an interview, the hiring department will contact them directly.
For international students, instructions on obtaining a Social Security number will be provided once a work-study position is offered.
Scholarships and Fellowships
The International Center of Photography (ICP) offers a range of merit-based scholarships and fellowships for both domestic and international students enrolled in our One-Year Certificate Programs. These awards are designed to recognize and support individuals who demonstrate outstanding talent, creativity, and achievement in the field of photography.
All applications are reviewed by the ICP Admissions and Scholarship Committee, with a particular focus on the strength of each applicant’s portfolio, statement of purpose, and overall application.
Please note: students enrolled in Part-Time or Open Education programs (including individual courses and workshops) are not eligible for these scholarships or fellowships.
How to Apply
All scholarship and fellowship applications are processed through ICP’s SlideRoom portal. Visit icp.slideroom.com to begin your application.
Current Scholarship Opportunities
1. ICP Director’s Fellowship (Deadline: Rolling admissions)
This fellowship is awarded based on merit and requires no separate application. Within the One-Year Certificate application, simply complete the scholarship questions to be automatically considered.
- Scholarship Amount: Varies
- Eligibility: All domestic and international applicants
- Programs: Onsite Creative Practices or Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism and Documentary Practice: Visual Storytelling Online
2. American Vision Scholarship (Deadline: June 8, 2025)
A new scholarship supporting talented U.S.-based photographers.
- Scholarship Amount: $15,000 toward tuition
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently residing in the U.S.
- Programs: Onsite Creative Practices or Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism
3. Alberto Contreras Scholarship (Deadline: May 18, 2025)
Established in memory of Mexican photographer and ICP alum Alberto Contreras, this award covers full tuition and fees for one student.
- Scholarship Amount: Full tuition + school fees
- Eligibility: Latin American nationals currently residing in Latin America
- Program: Onsite Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism
4. Jan Mulder–Pacific Scholarship (Deadline: March 16, 2025 *currently closed)
This scholarship supports exceptional applicants from Pacific coast countries in the Americas.
- Scholarship Award: Full tuition + school fees
- Eligibility: Applicants from Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and Peru
- Programs: Creative Practices or Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism
For more details on all scholarship and fellowship opportunities, please visit here.
Cost of Living (Onsite Programs)
Housing
Securing housing should be your first priority. Allow ample time to arrive and settle into your surroundings before orientation begins. Many people will be looking for housing at the same time, as most of the schools in the New York area begin in September. Once you find housing, make arrangements for services such as telephone and utilities (gas and electric.)
Low-cost apartments range from $900 to $1,500 for a single room.
Finances And Budgeting
New York City can be as expensive as it is exciting. It is important to plan your finances carefully. ICP estimates the combined costs of tuition, housing, photographic supplies, food, transportation and entertainment to be more than $55,000 for the academic year.
Here we’ve illustrated the estimated annual living costs:
- Housing $12,000
- Food $7,000
- Personal Items and Clothing $3,000
- Local Transportation $1,300
- Photographic Materials & Equipment $4,500
- Total Yearly Expenses (excluding tuition): $27,800
International Students (Onsite Programs)
International students make up approximately 55% of the student population each year in ICP’s Full-Time Programs. Students come from a range of cultural and social backgrounds—our alumni represent 60 different countries. This diversity makes our community a unique and enriching experience for all participants.
ICP welcomes applications from international students and is authorized by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) run by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enroll non-immigrants as full-time students with F-1 Student status.
International students who study at ICP’s school will need an F-1 Student Visa to study in the U.S. International students who matriculate in ICP’s One-Year Certificate Programs entirely online, from their home country, do not need to acquire an F-1 student visa.
For more information about studying at ICP as an international student, see visit the International Students page.
