With the way the profession is going, I would say to get a BA in liberal arts, with a focus on graphic design with a few photography classes thrown in. If she is anything like me, she'd fail the business classes due to the heavy math(which is why I have a BA in liberal arts, with my major of Psychology and minor in english lit)

Photography is like being a real estate agent, many try and few succeed. Those who do make a living, the rest starve. I believe everyone needs a college degree to give them time to grow up and keep a few doors open that won't be, if you do not have one.

I was told my BA would have me working at McDonalds. Which, in part could be true as it did not set me up for a career the way an engineering degree would. The thing a professor(who said this to me) doesn't understand is that many have an entreprenurial strength or just a great sales personality, which, I had. Hence my years as a mortgage broker.

The top portrait photographers have great knowledge in using PS. I do a lot of ad designs and wish I had more knowledge in programs such as indesign etc; I am proficient in PS, but, not talented. That is what separates the good photographers from the great. Or hiring someone with that talent.