Communication and Media Studies
- AS - Transfer Program
- Department of Visual and Performing Arts
Kick-start your career in communication and media.
Countless communication and media professionals began their careers at Monroe Community College – and you can, too.
In our communication and media studies associate degree program, you can complete the first half of a bachelor’s degree in many communication and media fields. You’ll build a strong foundation for a career as a journalist, TV producer, public relations officer, media law expert, organizational communications manager, or other communication professional.
Monroe Community College’s communication and media studies program is led by communication professionals who’ve spent years in the industry. You’ll have the opportunity to get firsthand work experience in the media, performing internships at:
- TV stations
- Radio stations
- Newspapers
- Advertising firms
- Video and film production companies
You’ll also have many opportunities to build a personal media portfolio by working for MCC’s student-run newspaper Monroe Doctrine, radio station WMCC: The Pulse, and the MCC public speaking chapter of Toastmasters International.
Tell Stories from Every Angle with Our Communication and Media Studies Degree
You’ll get a broad liberal arts background in the communication and media studies program, with emphasis on writing, speaking, and communication. The communication and media studies degree includes more than 20 credits of electives, so you’ll have plenty of flexibility to focus on subjects that match your interests.
Your path into the exciting world of media and communications begins right here at MCC. Graduates from our communication and media studies associate degree program have gone on to earn bachelor’s degrees, and then excel in a wide range of careers. You may go on to work in jobs such as:
- Copywriter
- Journalist
- Market research analyst
- Media analyst
- Lobbyist
- Film director
- Speechwriter
- Press agent
- Technical writer
- News anchor
- Public relations specialist
- Corporate communications manager
To find out how our associate degree in communication and media studies can help you launch a career in communications, contact Monroe Community College’s admissions office at (585) 292-2200 or admissions@monroecc.edu.
COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA STUDIES
A.S. Degree - Transfer Program
Department:Visual and Performing Arts
School(s): Arts & Humanities
CIP Code: 09.0101MCC Program Code: CM01
NYSED Code (BRI): 84485

Description
The Communication and Media Studies program provides an excellent foundation in liberal arts and sciences, emphasizing courses in writing, speaking, and the media. This program prepares students for transfer in areas such as journalism, media, public relations, corporate communications, and advertising.
(Housed in the Visual and Performing Arts Department)
Program Learning Outcomes
1) Discuss communication theories.
2) Apply effective oral communication skills in a variety of personal and professional settings.
3) Create formal written communication for a variety of audiences.
4) Evaluate media messages in a variety of forms.
5) Discuss the impact of mass media in shaping social constructs, values, or norms of society.
6) Discuss the role of media literacy in interpreting media messages.
7) **Public Relations-Track specific: Discuss ethical principles.
8) **Speech-Track specific: Apply a listening model within a variety of personal and professional communications.
9) **Journalism-Track specific: Produce media messages for a variety of audiences.
Employment Potential
For related jobs: Career Coach
Occupational Resource: http://www.onetonline.org
Requirements for Program Entrance
Algebra (1 year high school math or placement into Level 4 Math at MCC).
Distribution Requirements | Credit Hours |
JOURNALISM TRACK | ![]() |
FIRST SEMESTER: 15 Credit Hours | ![]() |
ENG 101 College Composition OR ENG 200 Advanced Composition | 3 |
SPC 141 Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - MTH 150 Survey of Mathematics or higher | 3 |
COM 101 Introduction to Mass Media | 3 |
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology - WR | 3 |
Total | 15 |
SECOND SEMESTER: 15 Credit Hours | ![]() |
ENG 250 Professional Communications | 3 |
SPC 142 Public Speaking | 3 |
COM 120 Media Literacy | 3 |
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - FOREIGN LANGUAGE | 3 |
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - NATURAL SCIENCE ELECTIVE | 3 |
Total | 15 |
THIRD SEMESTER: 17 Credit Hours | ![]() |
COM 130 Media Writing | 3 |
SOCIAL SCIENCE ELECTIVE | 3 |
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - HUMANITIES ELECTIVE | 3 |
ELECTIVE** | 3 |
ELECTIVE** | 3 |
PHYSICAL/HEALTH EDUCATION ELECTIVE | 2 |
Total | 17 |
FOURTH SEMESTER: 15 Credit Hours | ![]() |
COM 131 Principles of Journalism | 3 |
COM 142 Broadcast Performance | 3 |
COM 270 Media and Society | 3 |
ELECTIVE* | 3 |
SOCIAL SCIENCE ELECTIVE | 3 |
Total | 15 |
TOTAL CREDITS | 62 |
![]() | ![]() |
PUBLIC RELATIONS TRACK | ![]() |
FIRST SEMESTER: 15 Credit Hours | ![]() |
ENG 101 College Composition OR ENG 200 Advanced Composition | 3 |
SPC 141 Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
MTH 160 Statistics I | 3 |
COM 101 Introduction to Mass Media | 3 |
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology - WR | 3 |
Total | 15 |
SECOND SEMESTER: 15 Credit Hours | ![]() |
ENG 250 Professional Communications | 3 |
SPC 142 Public Speaking | 3 |
COM 120 Media Literacy | 3 |
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - FOREIGN LANGUAGE | 3 |
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - NATURAL SCIENCE ELECTIVE | 3 |
Total | 15 |
THIRD SEMESTER: 17 Credit Hours | ![]() |
COM 130 Media Writing | 3 |
SOCIAL SCIENCE ELECTIVE | 3 |
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - HUMANITIES ELECTIVE | 3 |
ELECTIVE* | 3 |
ELECTIVE* | 3 |
PHYSICAL/HEALTH EDUCATION ELECTIVE | 2 |
Total | 17 |
FOURTH SEMESTER: 15 Credit Hours | |
COM 109 Introduction to Public Relations | 3 |
COM 131 Principles of Journalism | 3 |
COM 270 Media and Society | 3 |
ELECTIVE* | 3 |
SOCIAL SCIENCE ELECTIVE | 3 |
Total | 15 |
TOTAL CREDITS | 62 |
![]() | ![]() |
SPEECH COMMUNICATION TRACK | ![]() |
FIRST SEMESTER: 15 Credit Hours | ![]() |
ENG 101 College Composition OR ENG 200 Advanced Composition | 3 |
SPC 141 Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - MTH 150 Survey of Mathematics or higher | 3 |
COM 101 Introduction to Mass Media | 3 |
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology - WR | 3 |
Total | 15 |
SECOND SEMESTER: 15 Credit Hours | ![]() |
ENG 250 Professional Communications | 3 |
SPC 142 Public Speaking | 3 |
COM 120 Media Literacy | 3 |
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - FOREIGN LANGUAGE | 3 |
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - NATURAL SCIENCE ELECTIVE | 3 |
Total | 15 |
THIRD SEMESTER: 17 Credit Hours | ![]() |
SPC 143 Small Group Communication | 3 |
SOCIAL SCIENCE ELECTIVE | 3 |
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - HUMANITIES ELECTIVE | 3 |
ELECTIVE* | 3 |
ELECTIVE* | 3 |
PHYSICAL/HEALTH EDUCATION ELECTIVE | 2 |
Total | 17 |
FOURTH SEMESTER: 15 Credit Hours | ![]() |
SPC 241 Advanced Public Speaking | 3 |
SPC 242 Advanced Interpersonal Communications | 3 |
COM 270 Media and Society | 3 |
ELECTIVE* | 3 |
SOCIAL SCIENCE ELECTIVE | 3 |
Total | 15 |
TOTAL CREDITS | 62 |
*As recommended by advisor.
**COM 150 and COM 267 recommended for broadcast journalism students transferring to SUNY Brockport
+SPC 143 recommended for Public Relations students