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Communications – BA

Program Overview:

The Communications curriculum encourages students to explore a breadth of learning experiences that emphasize both personal and professional development. To achieve standards of academic excellence, Communications students are expected to fully engage in the theories and practices that prepare them for the Communications field.

The curriculum requires students to build a broad knowledge base while they also explore their individual interests and skills in three concentrations, Journalism, Public Relations & Advertising, and Film & New Media.

Program Contacts

To email the Department Chair:

Dr. Cailin Brown, Communications Department, brownc@strose.edu 

Program Webpage:

Communications, BA

Program Requirements:

Major in Communications (49-51 credits)

Please check Online Course Descriptions for all prerequisites needed.  Note that not all courses are offered each semester.  Check course descriptions online for when courses are offered.

I. Communications Core (25 credits)

Students complete these courses as follows:

COM 105Intro to Mass Media

3

COM 201Media Literacy

3

COM 208Media Ethics

3

COM 217Basic Mutimedia Production

4

COM 240Interpersonal Communication

3

or

COM 241Gender and Communication

3

or

COM 242Communication and Culture

3

COM 298Intro Communication Theory

3

COM 340Communication Law

3

or

COM 341Broadcast Law

3

COM 398Research in Communications

3

COM 240 or COM 241 or COM 242 Fulfills Diversity Requirement

COM 398 Fulfills Writing Intensive Requirement 

II. Choose one concentration: Journalism, Public Relations & Advertising, or Film & New Media

A. Journalism Concentration (minimum 24 credits)

Please check Online Course Descriptions for all prerequisites needed.

Students complete courses as follows:

Entry level – 7 credits
COM 221Journalism I

4

COM 225Interviewing

3

Mid level – Minimum of 9 credits selected from (CHECK PREREQUISITES):
COM 313Broadcast News

3

COM 331Journalism II

4

COM 344Editing

3

COM 346Feature Writing

4

COM 309Photojournalism

4

or

COM 318Digital Audio Production

4

or

COM 319Video for Field & Studio

4

COM 380Topics in Communication

1 to 4

*For COM 380 Check Applicable Concentrations and Prerequisites


Upper level – Minimum of 8 credits selected from (CHECK PREREQUISITES):
COM 470Newsroom

4

and

COM 420TV Journalism

4

or

COM 480Topics in Journalism

4

B. Public Relations & Advertising Concentration (minimum 26 credits)

Please check Online Course Descriptions for all prerequisites needed.

Students complete courses as follows:

Entry level – 6 credits
COM 227Public Relations Hist/Pract

3

and

COM 205Contemporary Advertising

3

or

BUS 253Principles of Marketing

3

Mid level – 12 credits minimum selected from (CHECK PREREQUISITES):

Choose three (3) credits from the following:     


COM 370Public Relations Copywriting

3

or

COM 371PR & Advertising Publications

3

or

COM 372PR & Advertising Campaigns

3



Then, without repeating the course above, choose a minimum of nine (9) credits from below:


COM 314Advertising Copywriting

3

COM 370Public Relations Copywriting

3

COM 371PR & Advertising Publications

3

COM 372PR & Advertising Campaigns

3

COM 309Photojournalism

4

or

COM 318Digital Audio Production

4

or

COM 319Video for Field & Studio

4

COM 380Topics in Communication

1 to 4

*For COM 380 Check Applicable Concentrations and Prerequisites


Upper level – 8 credits minimum (CHECK PREREQUISITES):

COM 471The Agency

4

and

COM 430Digital Advertising & Publ Rel

4

or

COM 481Topics in PR & Advertising

4

C. Film & New Media Concentration (minimum 26 credits)

Please check Online Course Descriptions for all prerequisites needed.

Students complete courses as follows:

Entry level – 6 credits
COM 207Film Arts

3

COM 220Film History

3

200 level – 2 courses at 200-level selected from (6 credits):
COM 213Documentary Film and TV

3

COM 222Film Genres

3

*Focus of COM 222 course changes; May be repeated with different focus. 


300 level- 2 or more courses at 300-level (at least 6 credits) selected from (CHECK PREREQUISITES):
COM 309Photojournalism

4

COM 313Broadcast News

3

COM 315Media Criticism

3

COM 318Digital Audio Production

4

COM 319Video for Field & Studio

4

COM 380Topics in Communication

1 to 4

COM 380 Check Applicable Concentrations and Prerequisites (1-4) 

Upper level – 8 credits minimum selected from (CHECK PREREQUISITES):
COM 417Adv New Media & Digital Video

4

and

COM 420TV Journalism

4

or

COM 430Digital Advertising & Publ Rel

4

or

COM 482Topics:Digital Culture & Comm

4

COM 417 course may be repeated one time; May not be taken twice in the same semester. 

III. OPTIONAL COM COURSES

Students who qualify may choose additional COM courses from those listed below.

COM 206Conflict Management

3

COM 380Topics in Communication

1 to 4

COM 494Internship

1 to 15

COM 499Independent Study

1 to 6


*COM 380 Check Applicable Concentrations; Credits Vary

*COM 494 Must meet GPA requirements and have completed 90 credits; needs prior approval PRIOR TO registration

*COM 499 Permission and Approval of Faculty Supervisor PRIOR TO registration for that semester are needed; Paperwork available on Registrar’s Web Page


Internship/Field Experiences/Service:

Students have the opportunity for hands-on experience in producing TV and radio programs, newspapers, magazines, web and multimedia productions, as well as academic papers and projects across these concentrations. Most students complete internships in Print and Broadcast Journalism, TV and Radio Production, Public Relations, Advertising, Government Communications and other related fields. Includes GPA requirements and 90 credits to apply.

COM 494Internship

1 to 15

Culminating Academic Experiences:

Required Course Options (Check Concentrations)

Required Courses

Through the Capstone courses in each concentration students conceptualize and craft scripts, TV programs, public service campaigns and a variety of media projects.

COM 430Digital Advertising & Publ Rel

4

COM 471The Agency

4

COM 480Topics in Journalism

4

COM 481Topics in PR & Advertising

4

COM 482Topics:Digital Culture & Comm

4

*For COM 480, COM 481, COM 482 Check Applicable Concentrations and Prerequisites


Professional Accreditation:

The College of Saint Rose, sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province, is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State. All of its degrees and programs are registered and its professional programs fully approved by the Board of Regents through the New York State Education Department.

The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.msche.org

Career Opportunities and Graduate Study:

The College of Saint Rose Communications graduates have found employment in regional media outlets and have contributed to the networks of Communications professionals across the nation and around the world. Communications majors deciding to continue their education through graduate study have had particular success in the fields of Journalism, Broadcasting, Education and Law.

Minors:

MINOR IN COMMUNICATIONS Students may choose either an Expertise Minor or the General Minor.

Complete minors listing

Admissions and Financial Aid Information:

The Undergraduate Admissions Office begins review of Freshman applications each fall in late September for the following Fall. Students are encouraged to submit a complete an application as early as November. The Admissions Team will return a decision on complete applications within just three weeks. The College awards academic scholarships at the same time.

What Makes an Application Complete

  • Online or Paper application (fee waived for online applicants!)
  • Official High School Transcripts
  • Official Transcripts for any College Level Courses
  • SAT or ACT scores  (See Test Optional FAQ's)
  • Letter of Recommendation from a Counselor or Teacher
  • Essay or Graded Paper
  • Applicants may also apply via the Common Application Online.
  • Art applicants are required to complete a portfolio review.

Admissions contact information (telephone number, admissions web pages)

Scholarships and Financial Aid

See Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid section for more information.

The Bottom Line

The total cost of The College of Saint Rose (including tuition, fees, room and board) is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast, and we award more than $25 million in Saint Rose scholarships, grants and financial aid.

Take a look at our bottom line, and view a cost comparison with a four-year public institution.

More about Financial Aid

Financial Aid is defined as any grant, scholarship, loan, or employment opportunity given with the express purpose of assisting you with education-related expenses to make your education affordable. Financial Aid is awarded on the basis of student need and the availability of funds.

The Admission and Financial Aid teams have designed a Guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid to help prospective students and families get to the bottom line and find that The College of Saint Rose is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast--while maintaining powerful academic opportunities.

Find Out More: