Program Overview:
The Communications (COM) curriculum engages students in a breadth of learning experiences that emphasize professional, academic, and personal development while preparing them for careers in such areas as advertising, public relations, news, video production, post-production, film, and more for the 21st century. With an emphasis on producing independent and collaborative written, oral, aural, and visual storytelling projects for different audiences across media platforms, students apply relevant communications theories and practices to prepare them for professional careers and graduate school.
The COM curriculum requires students to build broad knowledge and skill sets while they also explore their individual interests in one primary communications concentration in the major chosen from the following: Broadcast News & Mobile Journalism, Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC includes marketing, public relations, and advertising courses), Media Arts & Production, and Critical Media Studies.
Additionally, with 54 credits in the major and 30 credits in the liberal education curriculum, COM majors can choose a second COM concentration or a non-communications minor toward degree completion.
To best prepare students for producing professional-level work, students may earn only one letter grade of C- or below in their core communications courses and must earn C grades (not C-) or better in all courses in their communications concentration. If students earn more than one “C-“ or “D” range grade in the communications core or a C- or below in their communications concentrations, students must repeat those courses to earn the COM degree. Students can’t take a course more than twice without formal consent from the chair of the communications department.
If you are unsure which COM concentration is best for you, click on the links below to see samples of student work produced in the major:
• CORE Courses
• Broadcast News & Mobile Journalism Courses
• Critical Media Studies Courses
• Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) Courses
• Media Arts & Production Courses
Program Learning Objectives:
Students will produce professional-level work for target audiences by
• Honoring the codes of ethics guiding the discipline
• Using effective written, oral, and/or nonverbal communication
• Demonstrating an understanding of relevant histories, theories, concepts, models and/or practices
• Conducting effective disciplinary research
• Employing appropriate styles and methodologies relevant to the discipline
• Generating and distributing their professional-level work
• Behaving according to professional standards
• Collaborating effectively with peers, community member, and external organizations
Program Contacts:
Dr. Karen McGrath
Chair, Communications Department
Email: mcgrathk@strose.edu
LinkedIn
Program Webpage: Communications, BA
Find Us on Social Media:
Facebook: saintrosecommunications
Instagram: SaintRoseCOM
Twitter: @SaintRoseCOM
YouTube
Program Requirements:
Major in Communications (54 credits)
Please check Course Descriptions for all prerequisites needed and when courses are offered. Note that not all courses are offered each semester.
I. Communications Core (26 credits)
II. Concentration (28 credits):
A. Broadcast News & Mobile Journalism Concentration (28 credits)
Then, without repeating a course, students choose from one of the following:
B. Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) Concentration (28 credits)
Then, choose one of the following:
C. Media Arts & Production Concentration (28 credits)
Then, choose one of the following:
| COM 482 | Topics:Media Arts & Production | 4 |
| COM 483 | Digital Culture & Communications | 4 |
| COM 484 | Design for Visual Comm | 4 |
| COM 492 | Sr Project-Media Arts&Prod | 1 to 4 |
D. Critical Media Studies Concentration (28 credits)
Option One:
Option Two:
| COM 313 | Broadcast News & Copywriting | 4 |
| COM 331 | Advanced Mobile Journalism | 4 |
| COM 420 | TV Journalism Practicum | 4 |
| | or | |
| COM 480 | Top in Broadcast & Mobile Jrnl | 4 |
| | or | |
| COM 484 | Design for Visual Comm | 4 |
III. OPTIONAL COMMUNICATIONS COURSES
Students may choose additional COM courses from other COM concentrations if they have completed the required co- and pre-requisites for those courses. They may also choose from those listed below.
*COM 380 - Check applicable concentrations. Credits vary. Consult advisor.
*COM 494 - Must meet GPA requirements and have completed 90 credits. Need faculty approval PRIOR TO registration.
*COM 490, 491, 492, and 499 - Need permission and approval of COM faculty supervisor PRIOR TO registration.
Internship/Field Experiences/Service:
Students acquire hands-on experience in the major to work toward professional quality work in TV news, podcasting, radio programs, newspapers, magazines, web and multimedia productions, as well as academic projects across COM concentrations.
Students with a 3.0 GPA and 90 credits with upper-level work in their concentrations may complete internships in Journalism, TV & Radio Production, Public Relations, Advertising, IMC, Government Communications, Film, and other related fields as discussed with the internship supervisor. Internships include placement interviews and sample student work provided to the site supervisor. Internship placements are not guaranteed.
Students also work and network with real-world clients in many courses in the major.
Optional Course:
Culminating Academic Experiences:
Through the Capstone courses in each concentration students conceptualize and craft scripts, TV programs, public service campaigns and a variety of media projects.
Required Capstone Courses (Based on Concentrations):
Suggested 2 Year Course Plan with Seamless Transfer:
This suggested plan is devised to give transfer students a clear path toward graduation if they arrive on campus with 60 seamless transfer credits. This plan is set up for two years and requires close contact with a COM faculty advisor.
Broadcast News & Mobile Journalism (This plan assumes the student has taken a COM 201 or COM 105 equivalent)
Year 1
Fall (16 Credits)
COM 217—4
COM 221—4
COM 298—4
COM 318—4
Spring (16 Credits)
COM 313—4
COM 316—4
COM 331—4
COM 398—4
Year 2
Fall (15 Credits)
COM 242—3
COM 319—4
COM 340--4
COM 470—4
Spring (15 Credits)
COM 420—4
Electives—11
Media Arts & Production (This plan assumes the student has taken a COM 201 or COM 105 equivalent)
Year 1
Fall (16 credits)
COM 207—4
COM 217—4
COM 298—4
COM 340—4
Spring (15 Credits)
COM 211—3
COM 222—4
COM 316—4
COM 319—4
Year 2
Fall (15 credits)
COM 242—3
COM 317—4
COM 417—4
COM 484—4
Spring (14 Credits)
COM 398—4
COM 482—4
Electives—6
Integrated Marketing Communications (This plan assumes the student has taken a COM 201 or COM 105 equivalent)
Year 1
Fall (17 credits)
BUS 253—3
COM 205—3
COM 209--3
COM 217—4
COM 298—4
Spring (14 credits)
BUS 353—3
COM 227—3
COM 340—4
COM 398—4
Year 2
Fall (15 Credits)
COM 242—3
COM 373—4
COM 471—4
COM 484—4
Spring (14 Credits)
COM 374--4
COM 430—4
COM 491—2
COM 494—4
Critical Media Studies (This plan assumes the student has taken a COM 201 or COM 105 equivalent)
Year 1
Fall (16 Credits)
COM 217—4
COM 221—4
COM 298—4
COM 315—4
Spring (16 Credits)
COM 313—4
COM 319--4
COM 398—4
COM 483--4
Year 2
Fall (15 Credits)
COM 207—4
COM 211—3
COM 318—4
COM 340—4
Spring (14 Credits)
COM 242—3
COM 420—4
COM 480—4
Electives—3
Suggested 4 Year Course Plan:
This suggested plan is designed to give students an idea of how to balance their coursework over 8 semesters and to graduate within 4 years. Students will need to take a minimum of 30 credits each year to meet the graduation requirement of a minimum of 120 overall credits. It should be used along with your DegreeWorks worksheet and in consultation with your faculty advisor. It is meant as a guide, not a definitive list of courses that must be taken as written. Your faculty advisor will help you make any necessary adjustments during advisement. The COM Department recommends students take opportunities to pursue a minor, study abroad, or study at another Sisters of Saint Joseph’s Exchange College when a semester consists of more general education or liberal education CORE courses. Discussing this with a COM advisor by year two is strongly advised.
Broadcast News & Mobile Journalism
Year 1
Fall (15 credits)
COM 201—4
COM 221—4
Lib Ed Core—7 credits
Spring (15 credits)
COM 211—3
COM 217—4
COM 313—4
Lib Ed Core—4
Year 2
Fall (15 credits)
COM 298—4
COM 318—4
COM 340—4
Lib Ed Core—3
Spring (15 Credits)
COM 331—4
COM 398—4
Lib Ed Core—7
Year 3
Fall (15 credits)
COM 319—4
COM 470—4
Lib Ed Core—7
Spring (15 credits)
COM 242—3
COM 420—4
Lib Ed/Gen Ed Courses—8
Year 4
Fall (15 credits)
Study Abroad—15 credits
Spring (15 Credits)
COM 490 Special Project—4
COM 494 Internship—4
Lib Ed/Gen Ed Courses—7
Media Arts & Production
Year 1
Fall (15 credits)
COM 201—4
COM 217—4
Lib Ed Core—7
Spring (15 Credits)
COM 211—3
COM 222—4
Lib Ed Core—8
Year 2
Fall (15 Credits)
COM 207—4
COM 298—4
COM 340—4
Lib Ed Core—3
Spring (15 Credits)
COM 316—4
COM 398—4
Lib Ed Core—7
Year 3
Fall (15 credits)
COM 317—4
COM 242—3
Lib Ed/Gen Ed Courses—8
Spring (15 Credits)
COM 319—4
COM 483—4
Lib Ed/Gen Ed—7
Year 4
Fall (15 Credits)
COM 417—4
Lib Ed/Gen Ed Courses—11
Spring (15 credits)
Semester in LA through Mount Saint Mary’s University—15 credits
Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC)
Year 1
Fall (14 Credits)
COM 201—4
COM 209—3
COM 205—3
Lib Ed Core—4
Spring (16 Credits)
COM 217—4
COM 227—3
Lib Ed Core—9
Year 2
Fall (15 Credits)
BUS 253—3
COM 298—4
COM 373—4
Lib Ed Core—4
Spring (14 credits)
BUS 353—3
COM 242—3
COM 398—4
COM 374—4
Year 3
Fall (16 Credits)
COM 471—4
COM 340—4
Lib Ed/Gen Ed Courses—8
Spring (15 credits)
COM 430—4
COM 491—Special Project—4
Lib Ed/Gen Ed Courses—7
Year 4
Fall (15 credits)
Study Abroad—15
Spring (15 Credits)
Internship—4
COM 484—4
Gen Ed/Lib Ed Courses—7
Critical Media Studies
Year 1
Fall (15 Credits)
COM 201—4
COM 221—4
Lib Ed Core—7
Spring (15 credits)
COM 211—3
COM 313—4
COM 315—4
Lib Ed Core—4
Year 2
Fall (15 Credits)
COM 207—4
COM 217—4
COM 298—4
Lib Ed Core—3
Spring (15 Credits)
COM 242—3
COM 313—4
COM 398—4
COM 483—4
Year 3
Fall (15 credits)
COM 319—4
COM 340—4
COM 499—4
Lib Ed Core—3
Spring (15 Credits)
COM 316—4
COM 420—4
Lib Ed Core—7
Year 4
Fall (15 credits)
Study Abroad—15
Spring (15 credits)
COM 494—3
Lib Ed/Gen Ed Courses--12
Accelerated Degree Option: Communications BA + MBA:
Students in the B.A. Communications/MBA accelerated course of study are required to take the following undergraduate business courses. These courses provide a strong foundation in business, making it easier for the student to transition to graduate level business courses.
While not required, we encourage students to take the following undergraduate business courses as part of their undergraduate coursework.
Students in this accelerated course of study will use the following course substitutions to complete the undergraduate and graduate degrees at an accelerated pace.
|
Course Substitutions
|
|
Undergraduate Course
|
Graduate Course
|
|
General Elective
|
ACC 522
|
|
General Elective
|
MBA 516
|
|
General Elective
|
MBA 517
|
|
General Elective
|
MBA 555
|
|
General Elective
|
MBA Elective
|
Requirements for the Master of Business Administration can be found in the current Graduate Catalog.
General Information on Accelerated Degree Options (Bachelor's + Master's):
Eligibility Standards:
High School Students:
- Minimum high school GPA of 92
- Combined SAT of 1100 (out of 1600) OR ACT of 24
- Letter of recommendation specifically for the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Program from a high school teacher or counselor
Transfer Students:
- 45 credits completed
- GPA of 3.4 overall or at least a 3.4 GPA in the last 30 credits
- A grade of B or higher in financial accounting
- A grade of B or higher in managerial accounting
- Letter of recommendation from a faculty member from either Saint Rose or the institution from which the student transferred
Current Saint Rose Students:
- 45 credits completed
- Overall GPA of 3.4
- A grade of B or higher in financial accounting
- A grade of B or higher in managerial accounting
- Letter of recommendation from a Saint Rose faculty member
Maintaining Status in Accelerated Programs:
- Overall GPA of 3.4 at the completion of 45 credits
- Overall GPA of 3.0 from the completion of 45 credits to completion of the undergraduate degree
- A grade of B or higher in financial accounting
- A grade of B or higher in managerial accounting
- Students can receive no more than one C in a graduate level course. An earned C must be retaken at the graduate level unless otherwise specified by the program.
- Students cannot receive a failing grade in a graduate level course.
Losing Eligibility for an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Option:
Students who do not maintain the standards outlined for their Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Option will lose eligibility for this completion option. If these students are in otherwise good standing with the College, they can continue in their current undergraduate program or move to another undergraduate major. We propose that up to a maximum of 12 graduate credits taken up to that point and completed with a grade of C or higher may be applied to their undergraduate degree. These credits might be applied as either general elective credits or to fulfill a requirement within the undergraduate major, depending on the undergraduate major’s grade requirements. Major grade restrictions would still apply. The student would take the undergraduate courses specified in the course catalog to fulfill all remaining requirements.
Discontinuing an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Options:
Students in good standing may choose to discontinue an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Option or withdraw from a dual degree program. These students may then move to another program offered by the college. Up to a maximum of 12 graduate credits taken up to that point and completed with a grade of C or higher would be applied to their undergraduate degree. The student would take the undergraduate courses specified in the course catalog to fulfill all remaining requirements.
Opportunity to apply graduate credits to a future master’s degree at Saint Rose if no longer enrolled in Accelerated Program:
Students who withdraw or are dismissed from the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Option may apply to a Saint Rose Master’s Degree program after completion of the Bachelor’s Degree. If accepted to a Saint Rose master’s degree program these students may transfer up to 12 graduate credits earned as part of their Saint Rose Bachelor’s Degree. Specific courses must be approved for transfer by the faculty advisor, and Department Chair/Program Coordinator. Transfer credit is allowed only for courses in which students have received a grade of “B” or better and within the six-year time limit allowed for completion of the Master’s Degree or Certificate of Advanced Study. No more than half of a Certificate of Advanced Study or Master’s Degree can be fulfilled with credits that had been applied to a Saint Rose Bachelor’s Degree.
Reinstatement in Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Options:
Students in good academic standing with the college but previously declared ineligible from their Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Option can apply for reinstatement to the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Option after retaking undergraduate courses that resulted in their change of eligibility and/or after earning an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students who earned any graduate grade lower than a C or more than one C at the graduate level may not reapply for reinstatement into the Accelerated degree option.
Advising:
Students in this Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Course of Study will have two advisors while they are undergraduates. A faculty member from the student’s undergraduate discipline will serve as the primary advisor while the student is an undergraduate. A faculty member from the graduate program will serve as a secondary advisor. After completing the Bachelor’s Degree the advisor from the graduate program will serve as the student’s sole advisor.
Associated Student Clubs:
The Chronicle (Newspaper)
New York Film and Television Student Alliance
Public Relations Society Student Association (PRSSA)
Radio Saint Rose
SRTV (Saint Rose TV)
Career Opportunities and Graduate Study:
The College of Saint Rose Communications graduates have found employment in local, regional, national, and global media outlets and have contributed to many networks of Communications professionals across the nation and around the world. Communications majors deciding to continue their education through graduate study have had success in the fields of journalism, broadcast news production, on-air talent, digital media, education, marketing, social media, videography for profit and not-for-profit organizations, and law.
Professional Membership and Networking:
American Marketing Association (AMA)
(CRAF) Capital Region Advertising Federation
Film Albany
New York State Broadcasters Association
NYSFTA—NY State Film and Television Alliance
PRSSA Chapter (Public Relations Student Society of America)—Capital Region PRSA
SPJ Chapter (Society for Professional Journalists)
Women’s Press Club of New York State
Find Out More:
Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid: https://www.strose.edu/admissions/