COMMUNICATION & MEDIA STUDIES

Many Paths

In 2020, the median income for careers in communication and media fields was $41,280 - $74,650. And graduates with degrees in communication or media have many possible careers options:

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Market Researcher –• Corporate Trainer –• Communications Director •– Fundraiser •– Event Planner –• Negotiator –• Content Creator •– Community Relations Manager –• Public Health Communicator •– Mediator •– Alumni Coordinator –• Campaign Director – • Webmaster •– Wedding Consultant •– Editor •– Human Resources Manager •– Camp Director –• Graphic Designer •– Museum Curator •– Film Maker –• Quality Inspector •– Sales Strategist –• Paralegal –• Events Coordinator –• Management Trainer –• Broadcaster –• Student Activities Director –• Leasing Consultant –• Travel Manager –• Health Services Manager –• Motivational Speaker •– Multicultural Specialist –• Community Advocate –• Data Analyst – Hotel Manager •– Camera Operator •– College Recruiter –• Account Executive •– Buyer –• Journalist –• Lobbyist •– Public Information Officer •– Creative Director •– Announcer •– Communication Consultant –• Law Firm Recruiter •– Business Manager –• Conference  Leader –• Public Relations Coordinator •– Labor Negotiator •– Property Manager •– Sound Technician – Customer Service Specialist –• Parliamentarian –• Social Media Strategist •– Debate Coach •– Political Analyst –• Counselor •– Crisis Manager – • Community Affairs Liaison •– Admissions Director •– Activist •– Media Relations Representative •– Marketing Coordinator –• Career Adviser –• Accreditation Specialist •– Producer • Lawyer • Human Rights Officer •– Teacher • Press Secretary –• Product Manager • –Reporter –• Activities Director –• Tour Guide •– Systems Administrator –• International Program Coordinator –• Brand Manager –• Sales Representative –• Child Welfare Worker •– Platform Manager • Claims– Adjuster –• Patient Rights Advocate –• Production Manager •– Photographer •– Drug Company Representative •– Diversity Consultant •– Digital Media Director –• MORE!​

The Programs

The Communication & Media Studies Department offers degrees in communication studies, media production, and cinema studies that are supported by professional-level production facilities. These majors allow you to tailor your program of study to meet personal learning and employment objectives.

• BA Communication Studies - with optional concentrations in:

  • Journalism

  • Popular Culture

  • Public Relations/Advertising

• BA New Communication Media

• BA Cinema Study

• BS Media Production

Minors are also available in Communication Studies and Cinema Study.

Experiential Learning

SUNY Cortland is home to several well-equipped production facilities:

• Multimedia Studio: A networked editing facility offers mixed format editing & post-production capabilities, computer workstations with major software & field cameras

• Audio Studio: The sound studio & control room serves as home to WSUC-FM, SUNY Cortland’s NPR affiliate radio station.

• Television Studio: The three-camera TV studio includes a fully-equipped control room and fiber connection to the local cable system and campus television network.

Student media clubs include:

• 20CSTV television station

• WSUC-FM radio station

• The Dragon Chronicle newspaper

Examples of Courses

COM 100 - Human Communication

COM 110 - Introduction to Media Production 

COM 203 - Introduction to Media Writing 

COM 235 - Introduction to Media Literacy 

COM 210 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking 

COM 302 - Intercultural Communication 

COM 335 - Issues in Digital Culture 

COM 342 - Television Studio Production 

COM 349 - Multimedia Production 

COM 350 - New Communication Media 

COM 400 - Communication Law and Ethics

COM 400 - Communication Law and Ethics  

Benefits & Outcomes

A graduate with a communication degree will possess knowledge, skills, and abilities that a desired in many career fields.

• Craft oral & written messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context.

• Identify & overcoming impediments to successful communication.

• Critically analyze messages.

• Apply ethical communication principles & practices to work.

• Influence public discourse.

• Utilize communication to meaningfully embrace difference

Expert Faculty

The Communication & Media Studies Department boasts award-winning faculty, locally and internationally recognized for their achievements in teaching, journalism, film-making, advocacy, writing, and scholarship.

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The faculty are experienced in teaching, studying, and working across a variety of media and communication fields, including multi-media production, public relations, advertising, journalism, creative writing, interpersonal and intercultural communication, popular and digital culture, communication and media history, organizational communication, political and health communication, and sports journalism and broadcasting.