2023-2024 Student Catalog 
    
    Nov 03, 2024  
2023-2024 Student Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]


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Communication Studies, A.S.



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Contact Information

Program Requirements

Typical Program

Degree/Certificate:   Associate in  Science
HEGIS Code:           5008
SUNY Code:            861
Major Code:            CMST

The Career

The ability to communicate effectively through face-to-face and computer-mediated channels is essential for successful personal and professional relationships.  The Communication Studies curriculum provides students with the opportunity to develop competent communication skills while examining the fundamental role communication plays in the world around us. Students will learn communication theory and strategies for enhancing their communication, verbally and nonverbally, in a variety of contexts.  Courses in Communication Studies will allow students to build the skills necessary to create, send and interpret audience-centered messages while understanding the influence of culture and media on these messages. 

Although the Communication Studies degree program is intended to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for transfer into a four-year program, immediate employment in related fields is possible.   Generally, and with further education, a Communication Studies student can find employment in a variety of careers, including various media industries such as journalism, social media, public relations or marketing. In addition to these media pathways, graduates can pursue further education and subsequent employment in teaching, law, corporate training, management and other related fields.

The NCCC Approach

The Associate in Science Communication Studies degree program prepares students for transfer to a four-year college or university.  The flexibility of a degree in communication studies allows students the opportunity to use the knowledge and skills he/she has acquired in a variety of programs and careers. Graduates may obtain media-related positions such as account executive, journalist, social media strategist and public relations specialist, however, can also pursue careers in sales, teaching, marketing, human resources, law and customer service.

Although some graduates begin their career immediately after obtaining their associate degree in Communication Studies, most graduates choose to continue their education at a four-year institution and embark on their career after completing their baccalaureate requirements.

Admission

Students admitted in fall, spring and summer.  Because of the sequencing of courses, it may take more than four semesters of full-time study if a student begins this program in a spring or summer semester.

Transfer Information

Upon completion of the AS degree in Communication Studies, graduates are encouraged to continue their studies at a four-year institution. Given the flexibility of a degree in communication, graduates can choose to transfer into diverse fields such as communication, education, media, sociology and law. Students most often transfer to SUNY Buffalo State University, SUNY College at Fredonia, SUNY at Brockport or SUNY at Geneseo.

Dual Admissions

Canisius College
Niagara University
SUNY at Buffalo
SUNY Buffalo State University
SUNY College at Brockport
SUNY College at Fredonia
SUNY College/Empire State

Facilities

Opportunities exist both on- and off-campus for students to gain practical experience in their chosen field. Students who wish to develop their writing and editing skills are encouraged to get involved with the SPIRIT, the campus newspaper. The SPIRIT gives students experience in writing, reporting, editing and layout/design. Video and audio production facilities, including a state-of-the art TV studio, enable students to produce professional-quality digital content for their assignments.  Both MAC and Windows computer classrooms are equipped with the latest software to provide students with hands-on experience utilizing various applications.

Alumni stress the value of internships and co-operative education experiences to develop skills. Internships can be arranged at local radio and television stations as well as other media industries such as advertising agencies, newspapers and public relations departments of local companies. Students interested in pursuing an internship or co-op should contact the internship coordinator for further information.

Program Goals and Objectives

  • To prepare students for transfer to a four-year institution; although, some students seek immediate employment
  • To complete at least seven of the ten knowledge and skills areas of general education
  • To develop the student’s verbal, spoken, written and visual communication skills and abilities within the frame work of a liberal arts education

Program Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this curriculum the graduate will:

  • Apply basic media-literacy skills to improve critical consumption of media content
  • Explain the evolving relationship between traditional media and social media and the impact this has on society
  • Develop an awareness of how cultural identities and perceptions of others impact verbal and nonverbal communication experiences
  • Apply relevant concepts of effective interpersonal strategies to relational, organizational and academic settings
  • Recognize how technology and computer-mediated channels have influenced the way we communicate
  • Produce written and visual material for video, print, and digital media forms
  • Demonstrate the principles and skills involved in researching, organizing, delivering and evaluating oral presentations
  • Explain how verbal and nonverbal communication principles can influence the effectiveness and appropriateness of a message

Program Requirements (CMST)


  1. A total of at least 64-credit hours with a minimum curriculum grade-point average of 2.0. Academic Foundations courses do not count toward the degree.
  2. Communication: A minimum of 18-credit hours to include:
    COM 101 - Introduction to Media Communications 
    COM 103 - Writing for the Media 
    COM 109 - Visual Communication 
    COM 110 - Publication Layout & Design 
    COM 201 - Public Relations  
    COM 210 - Intercultural Communication  
  3. Business: A minimum of 3-credit hours to include:
    BUS 229 - Business Communications  
  4. Digital Media: A minimum of 8-credit hours to include:
    DIG 100 - Media Arts Success  
      OR
      
    DIG 105 - Social Media  
    DIG 200 - Digital Portfolio  
  5. Humanities: A minimum of 12-credit hours to include:
    ENG 101 - Writing I *
    ENG 102 - Writing II & Introduction to Literature 
      
    LIT ___  - Humanities General Education  elective with a LIT prefix
  6. Speech: A minimum of 6-credit hours to include:
    SPE 102 - Public Speaking 
    SPE 103 - Interpersonal Communication  
  7. Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning: A minimum of 3-credit hours to include:
    MAT ___  Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning General Education  elective
  8. Natural Science & Scientific Reasoning General Education elective: A minimum of 3-credit hours to include:
    ___  ___ Natural Science & Scientific Reasoning General Education  elective
  9. Social Science: A minimum of 3-credit hours to include: 
    ___  ___  Social Science General Education  elective with SOC or PSY prefix
  10. ARTS General Education: A minimum of 3-credit hours to include:
    ___  ___  ARTS General Education  elective
  11. General Education: A minimum of 3-credit hours to include:
    ___  ___  General Education  elective selected from - US History & Civic Engagement (USCV) or World History & Global Awareness (GLBL)
  12. Health/Physical Education: A minimum of 2-credit hours

Typical Program


First Semester


Total Credit Hours: 16


Total Credit Hours: 16


Third Semester


Total Credit Hours: 16


Fourth Semester


Total Credit Hours: 16


Note:


* Dependent upon the fulfillment of the Academic Foundations requirements.

Scholarship Opportunities


There are several scholarships available to NCCC students. Scholarship deadline dates vary each semester.  For more information, please visit the scholarship webpage at www.niagaracc.suny.edu/scholarships. The NCCC Foundation/Scholarship Office is located within the Foundation Office, A-265 or by phone (716) 614-5910.

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