Communications and Media Arts A.A.

School: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Academic Dept: Communications and Journalism
HEGIS: 5008

Important Note about Program Requirements

The requirements listed below are for students entering into this program from Fall 2024 to Summer 2025. Students who entered the program during a prior semester will find their specific requirements listed in the Catalog under which they entered. Archived Catalogs are accessible through the dropdown menu above.

Program Description

The Associate of Arts Degree in Communications & Media Arts prepares students to transfer to four-year degree programs in various areas of Communications studies. Students enrolled in the program acquire a basis in both interpersonal and mass communication history and theory, small group communication strategies, classroom presentation, media writing, and media production. Students may also choose electives in journalism, film/video production, and sports media.

The main campus in Valhalla features two cross-platform Communications & Journalism Innovation labs with audio-visual equipment for full multimedia production, as well as a full TV Studio for traditional productions.

Westchester Community College’s proximity to the media capital of the world provides unique opportunities for students to intern in Westchester and New York City. Students can also gain experience and internship credits as news staff for student media on campus, including the award-winning student newspaper The Viking News, and the student run radio station, WARY 88.1FM.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, a student will:

Demonstrate knowledge of basic theories and concepts of effective human and mass media communication.
Engage effectively in face-to-face and mediated communication with both individual and public and mass audiences by utilizing appropriate principles of interpersonal, public, and mass communication.
Produce multimedia content that meets media industry standards.

Program Requirements

61 credits are required for the degree:

General Education - 31 credits
Required Degree Courses - 30 credits

General Education Requirements - 31 Credits

Communication - Written and Oral (3 credits): ENG 101 Writing and Research
Humanities (3 credits): ENG 102 Writing and Literature
Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning) (3 credits): choose from this category of general education courses
Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning) with Lab (4 credits): choose from this category of general education courses with lab
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (3 credits): choose from this category of general education courses
Social Sciences (3 credits): choose from this category of general education courses
The Arts (3 credits): choose from this category of general education courses
US History and Civic Engagement (3 credits): choose from this category of general education courses
World History and Global Awareness (3 credits): choose from this category of general education courses
Additional General Education Electives (3 credits): choose from all general education courses

Where specific courses are not listed within the categories above, courses must be selected from the list of all general education courses .

Required Degree Courses - 30 credits

Program Map

The program map is a recommended semester-by-semester schedule of courses based on degree requirements and serve as a general guideline to help students complete their program in two years. Although designed for full-time enrollment, these are easily adaptable for part-time study. For additional, individualized guidance, students should review Degree Works and consult an Academic Counselor or Faculty Advisor to ensure they are on track to complete their program.

Semester 1

Course	Credits
COMM 101 - Understanding Mass Media	3
COMM 109 - Speech Communication OR COMM 110 - Speech Communication for Non-Native Speakers	3
ENG 101 Writing and Research	3
Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning) Gen. Ed. Course	3
Social Sciences Gen. Ed. Course	3
Semester Total Credits	15

Semester 2

Course	Credits
COMM 112 - Introduction to Media Writing	3
COMM 119 - Broadcast Production OR COMM 121 - Television Studio Production	3
ENG 102 Writing and Literature	3
Major Elective	3
US History and Civic Engagement Gen. Ed. Course	3
Semester Total Credits	15

Semester 3

Course	Credits
COMM 102 - Interpersonal Communication OR COMM 111 - Voice and Diction	3
COMM 115 - Group Discussion and Decision Making	3
Major Elective	3
Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning) Gen. Ed. Course with Lab	4
World History and Global Awareness Gen. Ed. Course	3
Semester Total Credits	16

Semester 4

Course	Credits
Any General Education Course	3
COMM 203 - Creative Media Capstone	3
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Gen. Ed. Course	3
Major Elective	3
The Arts Gen. Ed. Course	3
Semester Total Credits	15

Minimum Total Credits: 61

Transfer Opportunities

Westchester Community College is committed to facilitating a smooth transfer process to ensure that graduates of the college are prepared to transfer with junior status, and are able to complete a bachelor’s degree within two years of full-time study upon transfer. View 4-year institutions’ transfer agreement information by program here.

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