Communication Program at SUNY Plattsburgh

Communication Studies Program

• Overview
• About Communication
• Careers in Communication
• Internships
• Student Profiles
• Alumni Profiles

Programs of Study

• TV-Video Production/Broadcast Journalism Major
• Audio-Radio/Digital Media Production Major
• Public Relations/Organizational Communication Major
• Communication Studies Major

Facilities

• Media and Technology
• TV, Radio, and Media Stations

Projects and Publications

• Student Projects
• Faculty Productions
• Faculty Publications

Resources

• Alumni Directory

Contact Us

• Faculty Directory

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• Quick Facts
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Communication Studies Program at SUNY Plattsburgh

Four Majors to Help Build Your Career

With 4 majors in the Communication Program we've got what you're looking for. Get started building your career with one (or more) of our options:

• TV-Video Production/Broadcast Journalism Major
• Audio-Radio/Digital Media Major
• Public Relations/Organizational Communication Major
• Communication Studies

Students Find Opportunities and Define Career Paths Our program is devoted to providing students with greater opportunities and more clearly defined career paths that reflect the communication landscape and address current market and disciplinary trends. Damien, a recent graduate from our communication program, was attracted to the communication department because of the many opportunities available to students. "I decided to double-major in TV and Audio Production while taking some journalism courses as electives. I had the opportunity to host a weekly music radio show, a weekly sports-talk radio show, a weekly live high school sports television show, as well as co-anchoring, producing and reporting for a live news program. I had dramatic acting roles in a field acting class. I produced award-winning audio documentaries and NPR-style interview pieces. And I even created music with computer software. To cap things off (while I was a student) I was hired to do color-commentary by CSTV & the NCAA for the Division III Women's Hockey Frozen Four on a web cast that was available worldwide." Our program is more than just four separate majors in the field of communication. It's an interwoven mix of courses and experiences that involves you in your specific area of interest while giving you a solid foundation in the fundamentals of communication. How did Damien feel the different areas of the department tied together? "The professors all have their obvious areas of expertise and the integration of their knowledge into the curriculum, no matter which major you're concentraing on, tied together very nicely. And the varying schools of thought and perspective in classes filled with P.R., journalism, and production students gave a great forum for debate and deliberation many other majors probably don't have." It's About People & Technology Damien's not alone. Many of our students really get a lot out of our program because they take advantage of as many opportunities as they can. Damien felt that many of the opportunities were afforded by the people and technology he encountered. "One of the strengths of the department is the diversity it brings to the campus. We have people from all walks of life, teachers and students alike, who have come together in an effort to make the future TV anchors, marketing gurus, disc jockeys, and audio board operators of the world say they got their start at SUNY Plattsburgh." "I was very excited when I toured the facility to see all of this state of the art production equipment that would be available to me. The department had not only undergone a philosophical facelift in declaring separate majors, but a physical metamorphosis as well with new digital, non-linear editing programs, new studio cameras & a newscast set, and the latest audio editing software. The techology was definitely ahead of the curve. All of these new technologies, many of which are being introduced into the industry now, were made available to us. We were given the opportunity to experiment with the industry's future rather than just studying the industry's past." By choosing one (or more) of our options you can fine-tune your educational experience and better position yourself for a career or to continue your educational experience in graduate school. A closer look at each new major is listed below.

TV-Video Production/Broadcast Journalism Major One of 2 production majors available in our program, the TV-Video Production/Broadcast Journalism major is where you discover all the ins-and-outs of television/video production. This is also where you'll get hands-on experience at our student-operated, cable access TV station, PSTV, producing shows like Cardinal Hockey - broadcasting locally and as far away as Montreal. As well, there are 2 concentrations available to more clearly define your video-related career interests. Options within the TV-Video Production/Broadcast Journalism Major include: TV-Video Production Concentration Broadcast Journalism Concentration

Audio-Radio/Digital Media Production Major

Also production-based, the Audio-Radio/Digital Media Production major connects students with the wide-ranging fields of audio, radio, and digital media production. Hands-on opportunities are available at Plattsburgh State's student-run FM radio facility, WQKE, or with the student-operated, cable-based tele-radio station, WARP. You have the choice of 2 concentrations in this major to further heighten your career options. The Audio-Radio/Digital Media Production Major includes:

• Audio-Radio Production Concentration
• Digital Media Production Concentration

Communication Studies Major

In the Communication Studies program, you explore the wide-ranging field of communication. This in-depth cross-section of communication emphasizes the personal over the technological and is a very powerful option - with many of our students continuing on to politics, law, or graduate school.

Public Relations/Organizational Communication Major

The Public Relations/Organizational Communication Major program prepares you for a wide variety of careers in both the private and public sectors. An array of in-class and hands-on, real-world learning experiences give you the know-how and skills you will need in today's communication-rich environments. Two concentrations further define your course selection and post-graduation decisions. You can choose between:

• Public Relations/Advertising Concentration
• Organizationl/Leadership Communication Concentration

What Sets Us Apart

• Easy access to facilities, teaching resources and faculty members
• Learn through progressive teaching methods, including "service learning" which connects classroom experience to the outside world
• Experience classroom activities and projects, to build an effective portfolio that makes you look good to potential employers
• Jump-start your career with an internship
• Improve your marketability through exposure to many related areas within the communication field - developing proficiency in several areas, not just one

Balance Theory with Hands-On Experience

Our program strikes a balance between theory and practice by combining a traditional liberal arts education with professional training. And unlike some other colleges, hands-on training begins from day one.

You can prepare for a career in television by becoming a producer, director, editor or copywriter for PSTV, our student-operated television station. Or, you can prepare for a career in radio by getting involved in WQKE or WARP as on-air talent, as an engineer behind-the-boards, or even as a part of management. You even get pre-professional experiences from classes in advertising, business communication, marketing, and research, often working with real, client-based projects.

Many students get involved in audio recording, live sports broadcasting, advertising and marketing campaigns. Due to our close relationship with other programs such as Art, Journalism, and Music, our students have the opportunity to further explore web design, broadcast journalism, live music recording, and more.

Our graduates have gone on to successful careers at media outlets such as MTV, CBS, NBC, and Sony Tri-Star, at radio stations and recording studios across the U.S., and on to graduate school, bound for careers in teaching, politics, and law.

How We Do It

Our focus includes Liberal Arts and In-Depth Studies

Whether you are studying TV-Video Production or Communication Studies, you get a traditional liberal arts education with professional training. Liberal arts helps you to develop general knowledge and reasoning ability. Advanced courses in the major help to focus on specific skills needed in your chosen career.

Our Offerings are Wide and Deep
Core communication classes in all majors and concentrations expose you to the wide range of offerings in communication - from survey and history classes, to organizational foundation courses, to culture & communication, and theory-based courses. You'll learn about persuasion and mass media effects, culture and relationships, speaking and writing. And at the same time, you pursue a course of study that provides more depth in whatever specialty area best suits your interests and career needs.

Our Classrooms include Real-World Experience
Effective teaching and learning depends on applying concepts. Unlike some other colleges, pre-professional experiences begin from day one. In the classroom, students often work with real, client-based projects. And even when clients are not involved, our faculty have significant industry experience that provides real-world exposure right in the classroom.

Our Program Adds Several Strengths to Your Expertise
While you will be able to focus your studies in one or more specialty areas, today's jobs demand candidates with a broad base of strengths. Our program challenges you to not only become a master of one area - such as audio production, advertising, media sales, and so on - but to be strong in the study of speaking, writing, ethics, leadership, culture, and much more. In addition, the structure of our program supports study in more than one major or concentration. This adds to your flexibility and increases your ability to take on the competition in your chosen field.

Our Doors Are Always Open
Even though we are one of the largest and most popular departments on campus, our faculty know you by name. We take pride in the personal attention and advising we give our majors, especially when needed most. You'll find our doors are open, and our faculty accessible, at times well beyond designated office hours.

Our Alumns Can Help You to Network
Our graduates go on to successful careers in PR/Advertising, Sales, Marketing, TV-Video Production, Web Design, Audio Production, Law, and so many more. Our alums, along with your Plattsburgh State Communication Department faculty, can mentor you as you begin your own successful communication career. Look over our programs to find out what future we are holding for you.

Contact Information

Peter Ensel, Chairperson
Department of Communication

"Welcome to the Department of Communication at SUNY Plattsburgh. I hope you find your visit to our web page useful and informational. By visiting the various links offered, you will find a great deal of information that accurately explains 'what we are about.' But, to truly feel the sense of community and professionalism that exists between our faculty, students and colleagues, you need to visit our facilities. I encourage you to schedule a tour of the college and department to learn more about our programs."

For more information about the Department, or to arrange a campus visit, please feel free to contact me at:

Phone: (518) 564-4287
E-mail: peter.ensel@plattsburgh.edu