Program Overview

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Introduction to the Broadcast Journalism Major

The Broadcast Journalism major at SUNY Plattsburgh prepares students for careers in news and sports program production for broadcasting. This major develops students' talents and abilities both in front of and behind the camera.

What Will I Learn?

Students in the Broadcast Journalism major will develop the skills needed to be ready for the many facets of the broadcast news industry with a strong liberal arts core, courses in journalism, ethics, on-air performance, broadcast writing, and media production.

What is Unique About Our Program?

The Broadcast Journalism major at SUNY Plattsburgh offers students the opportunity to work at the university's television facility, PSTV, and reach 40,000 regular viewers through specialty programming like "Cardinal Hockey."

What Are My Career Opportunities?

Graduates of the Broadcast Journalism program are pursuing a variety of professional careers, including:

• Journalist
• Master control operator
• News reporter or anchor
• Livestream newscaster
• On-air meteorologist
• Sports anchor and commentator
• Studio manager
• TV director and producer
• YouTube influencer

Program Requirements for Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism

The Broadcast Journalism major prepares students for a career in news and sports program production for broadcasting. Students develop their talents and abilities both in front of and behind the camera.

Curriculum 0258/0259

To graduate with a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism, students must complete the following requirements:

1. Completion of all Undergraduate Degree Requirements, including General Education: The Cardinal Core Curriculum, elective courses if applicable, and a total of 120 credits minimum.
2. A minimum GPA of 2.0 in Major Departmental Requirements.
3. Students must earn a minimum grade of C in each of the following courses: CMM 101, CMM 118, and CMM 333.

Major Departmental Requirements 53-57 Credits

The major departmental requirements for the Broadcast Journalism major include:

Core Requirements: (29 cr.)

• CMM 101 - Introduction to Public Speaking (3 cr.)
• CMM 118 - Media and Society (3 cr.)
• CMM 229 - Basic Video Production (3 cr.)
• CMM 232 - Basic Audio Production (3 cr.)
• CMM 334 - On-Camera Reporting and Interviewing (3 cr.)
• CMM 375 - Television Studio Production (3 cr.)
• CMM 385 - Digital Video Editing (3 cr.)
• CMM 459 - News Reporting and Production (4 cr.)

Advanced Writing

• CMM 333 - Writing for Broadcast Journalism (3 cr.)

Senior Seminar

• CMM 491 - Senior Seminar (1 cr.)

Communications Electives #1: (12 cr.)

Students must select four courses from the following:

• CMM 301 - Communication and Culture (3 cr.)
• CMM 303 - Health Communication (3 cr.)
• CMM 304 - Business and Professional Communication (3 cr.)
• CMM 310 - Small Group Communication (3 cr.)
• CMM 330 - News Media Critique (3 cr.)
• CMM 348 - Media and Communication Ethics (3 cr.)
• CMM 351 - Social Media Communication (3 cr.)
• CMM 390 - Topics in Communication (3 cr.)
• CMM 401 - Political Communication (3 cr.)
• CMM 455 - Media Law (3 cr.)
• CMM 470 - Organizational Communication (3 cr.)
• CMM 490 - Contemporary Media Theory (3 cr.)

Communications Electives #2: (10-16)

Students must select four courses from the following:

• CMM 209 - WARP Streaming/Podcasting Production (3 cr.)
• CMM 233 - PSTV Production (3 cr.)
• CMM 317 - Broadcast Drone Operations (1 cr.)
• CMM 360 - Multimedia Storytelling (3 cr.)
• CMM 391 - Special Topics in Multimedia Production (3 cr.)
• CMM 400 - Documentary Production (3 cr.)
• CMM 409 - WARP Radio Management (3 cr.)
• CMM 433 - Television Station Management (4 cr.)
• CMM 435 - Media Management (3 cr.)
• CMM 460 - Sportscasting (4 cr.)
• JOU 381 - Topics in Journalism (1 to 3 cr.)

Suggested Electives & Double Major Options

The following are suggested elective options and double major combinations for students in the Broadcast Journalism major:

• Production Focus List:
  • CMM 233 TV Station Operations
  • CMM 312 Fundamentals of Multimedia
  • CMM 360 Multimedia Storytelling
  • CMM 460 Sports Broadcasting
  • CMM 496 Lab Assistantship
  • CMM 498 Internships
• Double Major Options:
  • Double major with audio-radio production: Add a broadcast management minor
  • Double major with digital media production: Add a marketing minor
  • Double major with TV-video production: Add a business minor

Additional Degrees in Communication Studies

The Communication Studies department at SUNY Plattsburgh offers the following additional majors and minors:

• Majors:
  • Audio-Radio Production Major
  • Communication Studies Major
  • Digital Media Production Major
  • TV-Video Production Major
• Minors:
  • Radio Minor
  • Broadcast Management Minor