The Intermediate Photojournalism Course is an eight-week resident course conducted at 6500 Mapes Road, Ft. Meade, Md. 20755.

This course operates on a fiscal year schedule from October 1st to September 30th. All courses offered after October 1st of a particular year are considered part of the next fiscal year. For example, if a course begins Oct 1, 2025, it is listed under FY 2026.

For registration, please visit the Army Training Requirements and Resource System (ATRRS) at https://www.atrrs.army.mil **Please note that ATTRS requires an NIPR computer and CAC card.**

For assistance, please email: registrar@dinfos.edu 

Course Description

The course educates photographers and journalists in established communication theories and provides training in current best practices of photojournalism, so that graduates will be effective multi-platform communicators for their commands. Areas of instruction include visual and written communication theory, writing and photography interrelationships, news and feature writing, design principles, and intermediate photographic equipment and techniques to include electronic imaging, desktop publishing, digital cameras, image transmission, and archiving.

Prerequisites

DINFOS courses have specific requirements that define who can attend and what background or experience they need. Prerequisites are updated each fiscal year, and the most current details are listed below and on the ATRRS course pages.

FY 26 Course Information

IPC FY 26 Course Prerequisites: 

BPJC-USAF, BMCSC-USN, BSP, BPASC, BPASC-ADL-R, BPAS-W, PAOQC, PACS-Q, PAQC, MCF-25V1, MCF-46V1, MCF-87, MCF, MCF-VD

IPC FY 26 Service Prerequisites: 

Students must have 1 year of experience post MCF Graduation.

• United States Army, Army Reserve, Army National Guard - Enlisted: E-4 to E-6 (46V and 46S). Must have graduated MCF and a minimum of 18 months CMF 46MOS on the job experience. Army students who have not graduated from one of the prerequisites courses requires an exception to policy (ETP) approval by Army Public Affairs School (APAS). POC email: publicaffairseducation@army.mil
   
• United States Marine Corps - E-3 through E-6 (primary MOS Series 4541; detachment-level rank and MOS waivers authorized). Civilians GS-07 to GS-13 (Series 1035 or 1082).
   
• United States Navy - E-4 through E-6 Mass Communication Specialists (MC); minimum of one year experience post MCF Graduation or minimum 15 credit hours in photojournalism. Navy Civilians: GS-07 to GS-11 (Series 10XX).
   
• United States Air Force -  Enlisted E-3 to E-6 (3N0X6). Civilians: GS-07 to GS-11 (Series 10XX).
   
• United States Coast Guard - E-4 to E-6 PA. If a waiver is required, student must have command endorsement and approval from the USCG Public Affairs Program Manager.
   
• International Students - Due to the extensive amount of writing required for the course, international students must have a solid understanding of English language usage, grammar and syntax. Students must score an 85 on the English Comprehension Level (ECL) Test and be able to type. These requirements cannot be waived.
   
• Interagency Students - Not eligible to attend this course.

FY 27 Course Information

IPC FY 27 Course Prerequisites: 

BPJC-USAF, BMCSC-USN, BSP, BPASC, BPASC-ADL-R, BPAS-W, PAOQC, PACS-Q, PAQC, MCF-25V1, MCF-46V1, MCF-87, MCF, MCF-VD

IPC FY 27 Service Prerequisites: 

Students must have 1 year of experience post MCF Graduation.

• United States Army, Army Reserve, Army National Guard - Enlisted: E-4 to E-6 (46V and 46S) Must have graduated MCF and a minimum of 18 months CMF 46MOS on the job experience. Army students who have not graduated from one of the prerequisites courses requires an exception to policy (ETP) approval by Army Public Affairs School (APAS). POC email: publicaffairseducation@army.mil
   
• United States Marine Corps - E-3 through E-6 (primary MOS Series 4541; detachment-level rank and MOS waivers authorized) Civilians GS-7 to GS-13 (Series 1035 or 1082).
   
• United States Navy - E-4 through E-6, Mass Communication Specialists (MC); minimum of one year experience post MCF Graduation or minimum 15 credit hours in photojournalism. Navy Civilians: GS-7 to GS-11 (Series 10XX).
   
• United States Air Force -  Enlisted E-3 to E-6 (3N0X6); Civilians: GS-7 to GS-11 (Series 10XX).
   
• United States Coast Guard - E-4 to E-6 PA. If a waiver is required, student must have command endorsement and approval from the USCG Public Affairs Program Manager.
   
• International Students - Due to the extensive amount of writing required for the course, international students must have a solid understanding of English language usage, grammar and syntax. Students must score an 85 on the English Comprehension Level (ECL) Test and be able to type. These requirements cannot be waived.
   
• Interagency Students - Not eligible to attend this course.