Communications

The Degree

Associate in Science (A.S.)

The Outlook

According to a U.S. Department of Labor report on the fastest growing careers, communication skills are among the most sought after by employers. Surveys of Fortune 500 executives and human resource managers identified communication skills as valuable for both obtaining employment and successful job performance. The A.S. Communications degree program at Finger Lakes Community College provides you with the solid foundation and hands-on experience needed for a career in broadcasting, journalism, or advertising. In addition, the marketable skills you will develop can be applied to a career in almost any area you choose.

The Program

The Associate in Science degree in Communications is the start of a rewarding career in the growing communications field. Internships and exposure to the areas of television production and scriptwriting; journalism; advertising; and interpersonal, oral, and mass communication prepare students for a variety of occupations.

Technology: Facilities for the program include a new digital media lab, two computerized editing rooms equipped with analog and digital editing systems, a 900-square-foot television studio, digital camcorders, teleprompters, and digital studio cameras.

Honors Courses: In addition, the College offers honors courses that provide enhanced educational experiences for students who have demonstrated outstanding academic ability. Enrollment in honors courses is open to qualified students enrolled in this degree program, as well as all other qualified FLCC students. Successful completion of honors courses or an Honors Certificate may increase student transfer options to four-year institutions.

The Experience

Field experience and hands-on learning are major components of this program, allowing you to “learn by doing.” The program offers two areas of advisement, one in broadcasting and one in communication, that prepare students for employment or transfer to a four-year program, depending on their academic and career goals.

Broadcasting advisement area: Students learn all aspects of broadcast production, including planning and writing scripts; performing as a program anchor or host; and recording, editing, and airing programs. Students also assist in all aspects of the production of community programming for Finger Lakes Television, cable channel 12, including coverage of a range of events from government meetings to college sports.

Communication advisement area: Students prepare for careers in advertising, journalism, and public relations, among others.

Internships: Internship opportunities are available at television stations and production houses, newspapers, radio stations, advertising and public relations firms, the Rochester Broadway Theater League, and Finger Lakes Television.

Field trips: Excursions to a variety of locations such as CNN, WOKR-TV, Post Central Productions, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, Clear Channel Radio Stations, and NBC enrich your experience in the Communications degree program. You can also become involved with our campus Communications Club and College radio station.

The Graduates

Graduates of the Communications degree program have transferred to four-year colleges and universities including the Park School of Communications at Ithaca College, Hofstra University, Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, St. John Fisher College, Emerson College, and SUNY Colleges at Fredonia, Oswego, Brockport, Buffalo, New Paltz, Cortland, Plattsburgh, and Geneseo.*

Graduates work in a variety of careers in the communications field, including associate producer at R-News, news videographer at WHEC, community relations specialist for GEVA Theater, reporter at The Finger Lakes Times, assistant director of the Rochester Finger Lakes Film Office, and in radio, advertising, and public relations.

* This is a sampling of some of the four-year colleges and universities to which our students have transferred. Please consult your advisor or the Center for Advisement and Personal Development for a complete listing of transfer agreements between Finger Lakes Community College and four-year institutions.

The Faculty

Professors in the Communications program hold master’s degrees from such institutions as Boston University and Indiana State University. They bring with them over twenty years experience as news and sports reporters, editors, and anchors for various television and radio stations. The faculty includes conference speakers and presenters, as well as a published playwright and a published novelist. They hold distinguished offices in various organizations including the Faculty Council of Community Colleges. The college’s Student Appreciation Award was recently presented to one of the Communications faculty. The adjunct faculty are successful professionals in such fields as radio broadcasting, career development, theatre, management and education.

Communications

Curriculum Requirements

Students are required to complete a minimum of 66 semester hours with a grade point average of not less than C (2.0).

All associate degree programs require English 101 Freshman English and English 102 Introduction to Literature. Students must pass skills assessment for entrance into these courses. Students who are well prepared may substitute ENG 104 English I Honors and ENG 105 English II Honors for ENG101 and ENG102. Students who are considering the English Honors sequence should consult the Director of Honors.

Students must successfully complete:

Humanities

  • ENG101 Freshman English and ENG 102 Introduction to Literature
    or
    ENG104 English I Honors and ENG105 English II Honors
  • ENG 223 Journalism
  • 3 credit hours of Humanities

Social Science

  • 3 credit hours of ANT 111, ECO 210, ECO 211, PSY 100, SOC 100, POL 100, OR POL 110
  • 3 credit hours of HIS history electives
  • 6 credit hours of social science electives

Mathematics/ Science

  • 9 credit hours of mathematics OR science electives *(must include at least one math and one science course)

Communications

  • COM 110 Public Speaking OR COM 111 Vocal Communicator
  • COM 123 Television Production I
  • COM 202 Introduction to Mass Communication
  • Broadcast Advisement Area:
    • COM 122 Television Advertising
    • COM 124 Television Production II
    • 3 credit hours business elective
  • Communications Advisement Area:
    • COM 115 Interpersonal Communication
    •  3 credit hours of COM communications electives
    • 4 credit hours of general electives

Theatre

  • THE 102 Acting I

Business

  • BUS 229 Advertising

Health/Physical Education Elective

  • 4 credit hours of health/physical education electives

General Electives

  • 3 credit hours of general electives*

Students who are transferring to four-year institutions should follow the general education course requirements for transfer to SUNY and non-SUNY schools. View the general education requirements for more details.

Communications

Sample Schedule

The schedule below shows how the requirements for the A.S. Communications degree may be met in four semesters. This schedule is an example of one of many possible different schedules. It is included here only as an illustration of the type of schedule that might be followed by a full-time student. Many students attending Finger Lakes Community College who have work and/or family obligations choose a different sequence of courses and take more than four semesters to fulfill the requirements for the A.S. Communications degree. Similarly, students who find they need to take some additional course work to prepare them to do well in the types of courses included in the A.S. Communications degree program may plan a schedule that takes more than four semesters to complete the degree. All students should consult their advisors when they plan their schedules.

First Semester (17 Credit Hours)

  • ENG 101 Freshman English OR ENG 104 Freshman English I Honors (3)
  • COM 123 Television Production I (4)
  • COM 111 Vocal Communication OR COM 110 Public Speaking (3)
  • THE 102 Acting I (3)
  • History Elective (3)
  • PE Physical Education Elective (1)

Second Semester (16/18 Credit Hours)

  • ENG 102 Introduction to Literature OR ENG 105 Freshman English II Honors (3)
  • COM 124 Television Production II OR COM 115 Interpersonal Communications* (3/4)
  • Humanities Elective (3)
  • Math/Science Elective (3/4)
  • Social Science Elective (3)
  • PE Physical Education Elective (1)

Third Semester (16/17 Credit Hours)

  • BUS 229 Advertising (3)
  • COM 202 Introduction to Mass Communication (3)
  • ENG 223 Journalism (3)
  • Math/Science Elective (3/4)
  • Social Science Elective (3)
  • PE Physical Education Elective (1)

Fourth Semester (16/17 Credit Hours)

  • BUS Business Elective OR General Elective* (3)
  • COM 122 Television Advertising OR COM Communications Elective* (3)
  • General Elective (3)
  • Math/Science Elective (3/4)
  • Social Science Elective (3)
  • PE Physical Education Elective (1)

*Dependent on Advisement Area