Communication and Media Studies

50% or more of this program can be completed online.

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

MCC Program Code: CM01

50% or more of this program can be completed online.

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, organizational communication.
(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) **Organizational Communication 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: https://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
ENG 101 College Composition (grade of C or higher required) OR
ENG 200 Advanced Composition(grade of C or higher required)
3
MTH 150 - Survey of Mathematics or higher SUNY-MATH course OR
PHL 102 - Introduction to Logic
3-4
COM 101 Introduction to Mass Media
3
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
3
SPC 141 Interpersonal Speech Communication
3
First Semester Total:
15-16
SECOND SEMESTER
ENG 250 Professional Communication
3
COM 150 Video Production I
3
SPC 142 Public Speaking
3
COM 131 Principles of Journalism
3
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - NATURAL SCIENCES AND SCIENTIFIC REASONING (SUNY-NSCI) ELECTIVE*
3-4
Second Semester Total:
15-16
THIRD SEMESTER
COM 120 Media Literacy
3
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION WORLD LANGUAGES (SUNY-WLNG) ELECTIVE
3
OPEN ELECTIVE
3
OPEN ELECTIVE
3
COM 130 Media Writing
3
Third Semester Total:
15
FOURTH SEMESTER
COM 270 Media and Society
3
COM 142 Broadcast Performance
3
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION U.S. HISTORY AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT (SUNY-USCV) ELECTIVE OR
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION WORLD HISTORY AND GLOBAL AWARENESS (SUNY-WHGA) ELECTIVE
3
OPEN ELECTIVE
3
OPEN ELECTIVE
3
Fourth Semester Total:
15
TOTAL CREDITS:
60-62
JOURNALISM TRACK
*BIO 116 or CHE 110 are recommended
Students planning to transfer to SUNY Brockport should take COM 267 as one of their electives


Distribution Requirements
Credit Hours
PUBLIC RELATIONS TRACK
FIRST SEMESTER
ENG 101 College Composition (grade of C or higher required) OR
ENG 200 Advanced Composition (grade of C or higher required)
3
MTH 160 Statistics I
3
COM 101 Introduction to Mass Media
3
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
3
SPC 141 Interpersonal Speech Communication
3
First Semester Total:
15
SECOND SEMESTER
ENG 250 Professional Communication
3
COM 150 Video Production I
3
SPC 142 Public Speaking
3
COM 131 Principles of Journalism
3
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - NATURAL SCIENCES AND SCIENTIFIC REASONING (SUNY-NSCI) ELECTIVE*
3-4
First Semester Total:
15-16
THIRD SEMESTER
COM 120 Media Literacy
3
COM 130 Media Writing
3
COM 109 An Introduction to Public Relations
3
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION WORLD LANGUAGES (SUNY-WLNG) ELECTIVE
3
GENERAL ELECTIVE
3
Third Semester Total:
15
FOURTH SEMESTER
COM 270 Media and Society
3
SPC 143 Small Group Communication
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION -U.S. HISTORY AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT (SUNY-USCV) ELECTIVE OR
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - WORLD HISTORY AND GLOBAL AWARENESS (SUNY-WHGA) ELECTIVE
3
GENERAL ELECTIVE
3
GENERAL ELECTIVE
3
Fourth Semester Total:
15
TOTAL CREDITS:
60-61
PUBLIC RELATIONS TRACK
*BIO 116 or CHE 110 are recommended

Distribution Requirements
Credit Hours
ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION TRACK
FIRST SEMESTER
ENG 101 College Composition (grade of C or higher required) OR
ENG 200 Advanced Composition (grade of C or higher required)
3
MTH 150 - Survey of Mathematics or higher SUNY-MATH course OR
PHL 102 - Introduction to Logic
3-4
COM 101 Introduction to Mass Media
3
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
3
SPC 141 Interpersonal Speech Communication
3
First Semester Total:
15-16
SECOND SEMESTER
ENG 250 Professional Communications
3
COM 150 Video Production I
3
SPC 142 Public Speaking
3
BUS 104 Introduction to Business
3
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - NATURAL SCIENCES AND SCIENTIFIC REASONING (SUNY-NSCI) ELECTIVE*
3-4
Second Semester Total:
15-16
THIRD SEMESTER
BUS 208 Organizational Behavior
3
COM 120 Media Literacy
3
COM 109 An Introduction to Public Relations
3
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION WORLD LANGUAGES (SUNY-WLNG) ELECTIVE
3
GENERAL ELECTIVE
3
Third Semester Total:
15
FOURTH SEMESTER
COM 270 Media and Society
3
SPC 143 Small Group Communication
3
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - U.S. HISTORY AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT (SUNY-USCV) ELECTIVE OR
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - WORLD HISTORY AND GLOBAL AWARENESS (SUNY-WHGA) ELECTIVE
3
GENERAL ELECTIVE
3
GENERAL ELECTIVE
3
Fourth Semester Total:
15
TOTAL CREDITS:
60-62
ORGANIZATION COMMUNICATION TRACK
*BIO 116 or CHE 110 are recommended
Revised 6/29/2023


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School of Arts & HumanitiesThe School of Arts & Humanities is a collection of disciplines, from languages and communication to visual and performing arts, that prepare you for creative and expressive professions.