Program Overview

Communication and Media Studies

Program Overview

The Communication and Media Studies A.A. program opens doors to diverse career paths such as digital content creation, social media management, public relations, social change, entertainment, and news. Through a blend of hands-on learning, theory, and expert guidance, students acquire both foundational and technical skills.

Program Details

• Program Duration: 2 Year Program
• Degree Type: Associate in Arts (A.A.)
• Total Credit Hours: 62

About This Program

As the communication and media industry expands, our Communication and Media Studies A.A. program prepares students for success in the dynamic world of communication and media. Whether planning to transfer for a bachelor's degree or jumpstart their career, students gain foundational and technical knowledge through classes mixed with hands-on learning and theory.

Program Entry Requirements

The program is open to all interested students. Students identified as needing developmental coursework must satisfactorily complete the appropriate English and mathematics courses as a part of their degree program.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Apply the essential communication and media skills for professional career success in a digital and global society.
• Explain the role of human and digital communication throughout history and contemporary times.
• Create, develop, and synthesize communication using appropriate technology that effectively delivers messages to diverse audiences.
• Connect the relationship between diversity, equity, and inclusion and the production, consumption, and dissemination of communication.
• Practice professional ethics and employ personal and social responsibility as communication and media professionals.

CCP Program Courses

Semester 1

• ENGL 101 - English Composition or ENGL 101H - English Composition I (Honors): 3 credits
• CMS 114 - Introduction to Communication and Media Studies: 3 credits
• ENGL 116 - Interpersonal Communication or ENGL 117 - Group and Team Communication: 3 credits
• MATH 137 - Geometry for Design or MATH 150 - Introductory Data Analysis: 3 credits
• CMS 140 - Communication Technology for the Workplace: 3 credits

Semester 2

• ENGL 102 - The Research Paper or ENGL 102H - The Research Paper (Honors): 3 credits
• CHEM 101 - Fundamentals of Chemistry I (Lab Based) or EASC 111 - Environmental Conservation or EASC 111H - Environmental Conservation (Honors) or BIOL 106: General Biology I or PHYS 105: Survey of Physics: 3 or 4 credits
• CMS 122 – Writing and Reporting for Media: 3 credits
• CMS 107 - Media and Society: 3 credits
• CMS 180 - Social Media & Digital Cultures: 3 credits

Semester 3

• ENGL 119 - Rhetoric and the Public Sphere: 3 credits
• ART 101 - Visual Communication or ART 101H - Visual Communication (Honors) or ENGL 120 - Voice and Articulation or ENGL 271 - The Language of Film or ENGL 283 - Nonfiction Writing: Memoir and Literary Journalism or PHOT 104 - Introduction to Video Production or PHOT 105 - Introduction to Digital Photography or PHOT 151 - Techniques in Photo Editing (Photoshop I): 3 credits
• ENGL 115 - Public Speaking: 3 credits
• CMS 220 - Representation in the Media: 3 credits
• CMS 254 – Writing for Sports Media or CMS 255 – Writing for Digital Media: 3 credits

Semester 4

• ENGL 214 - Communication Theory or CMS 216 - Relational Communication or CMS 270 - Media and Globalization or ENGL 219 - Black Rhetoric: 3 credits
• ENGL 118 – Intercultural Communication: 3 credits
• CMS 290 - CMS Capstone Experience: 3 credits
• Elective: 3 credits
• Elective: 3 credits

Transfer Opportunities

• Arcadia University
• Bloomsburg University
• Drexel University
• Temple University
• West Chester University

Career Outlook

• Median Salary of News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists: $76,672
• Number of Jobs in the Region: 921
• 10-year Job Outlook in the Region for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists: +16

Featured Career

• News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
  • Research and report news items of local, national, and international significance to determine topics to address, or obtain assignments from editorial staff members.
  • Starting pay: $40,059

Typical Tasks

• Write commentaries, columns, or scripts, using computers.
• Coordinate and serve as an anchor on news broadcast programs.
• Examine news items of local, national, and international significance to determine topics to address, or obtain assignments from editorial staff members.
• Analyze and interpret news and information received from various sources to broadcast the information.
• Receive assignments or evaluate leads or tips to develop story ideas.
• Select material most pertinent to presentation, and organize this material into appropriate formats.
• Review written, audio, or video copy, and correct errors in content, grammar, or punctuation, following prescribed editorial style and formatting guidelines.
• Develop ideas or material for columns or commentaries by analyzing and interpreting news, current issues, or personal experiences.
• Take pictures or video, and process them for inclusion in a story.

Related Programs

• Digital Video Production
• Liberal Arts
• Liberal Arts Honors
• Photography