1) Is it necessary to pay this kind of money to become a professional photographer? When asked what they could give me that i cant get on my own they replied..."connections" implying that they could get me in the door at the better studios, and commercial studios in town. They also offer training in computer or digital manipulations, and all that controversial cutting edge stuff i know nothing about.

2) What is the money like for an experienced photographer (1-2 yrs. exp.)? the institue has informed me of the salary ranges for entry level photographers in the Dallas area ($50 -$80 / day freelance, $8-10 /hr. assistantships), but were no help in suppling info on experienced phographers.

3) In what area of photography is the money...commercial, fashion (not), portraiture, weddings, editorial ?

4) Do any of you have any experience with this school ( they have other schools in San Francisco, Atlanta, Denver, Houston, Seattle, Pitttsburgh, and Fort Lauderdale)

You really don't need a degree to be successful in photography, many of the top PROS are self-taught. A lot of others have started as assistants to a master photographer.

Money! Well the school is probably better able to determine that for your area. Based on my own experience the salary ranges for this industry in my area (Ottawa, Canada) is:

Photo technicians/or Assistants: Low $6.75/hr (minimum wage) $20.00 at a Federal Government Photo Unit or the Local Police Lab. Salaries may get slightly higher with tenure, but there is a cap in the private sector, based on how much the business can afford to pay. Most Goverment departments have a hiring freeze, so it is almost impossible to gain employment with them. 2 years experience plus a Community College level photographic technology course is required, but not in the private sector. freelance stringers at the local newspapers earn about $105/day but these jobs are very very hard to get...you have to be REAL GOOD!!!

I would go out on the limb here and say commercial, but it depends on your local market. Most studios here are general doing portraits, weddings and commercial. VERY few can afford to specialize. Fashion is probably the most fickle of all areas of photography, you can be hot today and then forgotten tommorow.

I was a graduate from the Community College in Science Technician, Photography but I felt that I learned more while assisting Edward Shapiro who was one of the best photographers in this Country. My personal advice is really learn the digital area of photography, as more and more digital imagining is being used all the time. Some apparently 'straight' images have been digitally manipulated. Finally expect ups and downs in a career in photography, it's the nature of this business. BTW: I am assuming that you have talent!!! without the talent you'll just be wasting your time.