George Polk School of Communications

The George Polk School of Communications offers a range of academic programs, including the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Broadcasting.

BFA Broadcasting

The 120-credit Bachelor of Fine Arts in Broadcasting opens students to the world of digital radio, digital video, webcasting, and multimedia. This major prepares students for careers as varied as documentary producers, television writers, web video producers, news anchors, writers, radio broadcasters, and interview hosts.

Major Requirements

The major requirements for the BFA in Broadcasting include:

• BDST 11: Production Essentials: Audio (3 credits)
• BDST 12: Production Essentials: Video (3 credits)
• CMA 2: Mass Media in America (3 credits)
• CMA 4: Media Literacy: Behind the Message (3 credits)
• JOU 5: Writing Across Media Platforms (3 credits)
• CMA 10: Media Law and Ethics (3 credits)
• ORC 1: Public Speaking (3 credits)
• One of the following co-related courses:
  • ART 4: Introduction to Computer Graphics (3 credits)
  • CIN 24: Intro to Documentary Production (3 credits)
  • CGPH 16: Digital Imaging (3 credits)
• Required Broadcasting Courses:
  • BDST 4: Digital Audio Production (3 credits)
  • BDST 6: Intermediate Television Production: Studio (3 credits)
  • BDST 30: Producing: Concept to Audience (3 credits)
  • BDST 25: Intermediate Television Production: Field (3 credits)
  • BDST 34: Advanced Digital Audio Production (3 credits)
  • BDST 46: Video for the Web (3 credits)
  • BDST 54: Creating the Television Newscast (3 credits)
  • BDST 57: Advanced Digital Editing (3 credits)
  • JOU 3: Basic Reporting (3 credits)
  • JOU 52: Interviewing Skills for the Media (3 credits)
  • BDST 27: Applied Television (3 credits)
• Required Broadcasting Senior Research/Honors Tutorial (choose one):
  • BDST 91: Senior Research in Broadcasting (3 credits)
  • BDST 385: Honors Tutorial (3 credits)
  • BDST 386: Honors Tutorial (3 credits)
• Required Broadcasting Senior Project/Honors Thesis (choose one):
  • BDST 92: Senior Project & Portfolio (4 credits)
  • BDST 389: Honors Thesis (4 credits)
  • BDST 390: Honors Thesis (4 credits)
• Elective Broadcasting Courses (six credits from the following):
  • JOU 41: Newspaper Laboratory (3 credits)
  • BDST 27: Advanced Applied TV (3 credits)
  • BDST 30: Producing Television (3 credits)
  • BDST 34: Advanced Digital Audio (3 credits)
  • PR 38: Social Media Tools (3 credits)
  • CIN 9: Screenwriting (3 credits)
  • BDST 63: Applied Radio News (3 credits)
  • BDST 64: Applied Radio News (3 credits)
  • BDST 65: Applied Radio: On-Air (3 credits)
  • BDST 66: Applied Radio: Sportsdesk (3 credits)
  • BDST 87: Internship (3 credits)
  • BDST 88: Internship (3 credits)
  • BDST 89: Advanced Independent Study in Electronic Media (1 credit)

Courses

The following courses are part of the BFA in Broadcasting program:

• BDST 4: Digital Audio Production
• BDST 6: Intermediate Television Production: Studio
• BDST 11: Production Essentials: Audio
• BDST 12: Production Essentials: Video
• BDST 25: Intermediate Television Production: Field
• BDST 27: Applied Television
• BDST 30: Producing: Concept to Audience
• BDST 34: Advanced Digital Audio Production
• BDST 46: Web Video Production
• BDST 54: Producing the Television Newscast
• BDST 57: Advanced Digital Imaging
• BDST 63: Applied Radio: Newsroom
• BDST 64: Applied Radio: Newsroom
• BDST 65: Applied Radio: On-Air
• BDST 66: Applied Radio: Sports
• BDST 87: Internship
• BDST 88: Internship
• BDST 89: Advanced Independent Study in Broadcasting
• BDST 91: Senior Research in Broadcasting
• BDST 92: Senior Project
• BDST 385: Honors Tutorial
• BDST 386: Honors Tutorial
• BDST 389: Honors Thesis
• BDST 390: Honors Thesis
• CGPH 16: Digital Imaging
• CIN 9: Screenwriting I
• CIN 24: Video Documentary Workshop II
• CMA 2: Mass Media in American Society
• CMA 4: Media Literacy: Behind the Message
• CMA 10: Media Law and Ethics
• JOU 3: Basic Reporting
• JOU 5: Writing for Radio, TV and Web
• JOU 41: Newspaper Laboratory
• JOU 52: Interviewing Skills for Media
• ORC 1: Public Speaking
• PR 38: Social Media Tools

Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

The BFA in Broadcasting program is designed to meet the following Institutional Learning Outcomes:

• ILO 1: Creative and Reflective Capacities
• ILO 2: Historical and Intercultural Awareness
• ILO 3: Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning
• ILO 4: Oral and Written Communication
• ILO 5: Information and Technological Literacies
• ILO 6: Critical Inquiry and Analysis
• ILO 7: Ethical Reasoning and Civic Engagement

Academic Programs

The George Polk School of Communications offers the following academic programs:

• BFA Acting for Theatre, Film & Television
• BFA Broadcasting
• BA Communications
• BS Communications
• BFA Film
• BFA Film & Television
• BA Journalism
• BFA Journalism
• MFA Creative Writing and Publishing

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Overview:

• Founded in 1926 as the Brooklyn Law School
• Expanded to become Long Island University in 1954
• Currently has 6 campuses across New York State
• Enrolls over 20,000 students
• Notable achievements:
  • Ranked among the top 200 universities in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report
  • Recognized for its strong programs in business, education, and health sciences
  • Home to the Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, one of the largest pharmacy schools in the country

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Student Life:

Extracurricular Activities:

Over 200 student clubs and organizations, including academic, cultural, social, and recreational groups

Clubs:

Examples include the Student Government Association, the Black Student Union, and the International Student Association

Sports Teams:

NCAA Division I athletics in 16 sports, including basketball, football, and soccer

• Student Support Services:

  • Academic Advising
  • Career Counseling
  • Health and Wellness Center
  • Counseling and Psychological Services

• Campus Facilities:

  • Modern academic buildings
  • State-of-the-art athletic facilities
  • Student centers with dining, recreation, and study spaces
  • On-campus housing available at most campuses

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Academics:

• Academic Resources:

  • Over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs
  • Faculty of over 1,000 full-time and part-time professors
  • Research centers and institutes in various fields

• Teaching Methodologies:

  • Traditional lectures
  • Small group discussions
  • Hands-on learning experiences
  • Online and hybrid courses

• Academic Support Services:

  • Tutoring
  • Writing Center
  • Math Lab

• Unique Academic Programs or Initiatives:

  • Honors College
  • Global Studies Program
  • Experiential Learning Program

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Top Reasons to Study Here:

Reputation:

Ranked among the top 200 universities in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report

Specialized Facilities:

State-of-the-art facilities for health sciences, business, and education

Industry Connections:

Partnerships with leading companies and organizations

Notable Alumni:

Includes politicians, business leaders, and entertainers, such as former New York City Mayor David Dinkins and actor Alec Baldwin

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Services:

Counseling:

Counseling and Psychological Services provides individual and group counseling, as well as crisis intervention

Health:

Health and Wellness Center offers medical care, vaccinations, and health education

Housing:

On-campus housing available at most campuses, including traditional dorms, apartments, and townhouses

Library Resources:

Over 1 million volumes in the university libraries, as well as access to online databases and research tools

Technology Support:

IT Help Desk provides technical assistance and support for students

Career Development:

Career Services offers resume writing, interview preparation, and job search assistance