Program:

Imagine being a significant member of a broadcast team that brings media to millions. The Media Studies program at Mercy College offers a specialization in Radio and Television Production, with a challenging course of study for students seeking to broaden those skills essential to both technical and non-technical careers in television and radio.

The Mercy College Media Studies program is designed for the student who works well in a communal environment and is interested in sharing ideas to facilitate a creative experience. Analytical, technical, and practical skills are gained through academic course work, hands-on studio application, and internships with local media outlets. Graduates of the program are well equipped to compete in the broadcast marketplace.

Download a PDF version of our Program Brochure

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Program Contacts:

	Louis Grasso, MA Program Director lgrasso@mercy.edu Telephone: 914-674-7615
	Sean Dugan, EdD Chair, Division of Literature, Language and Communication sdugan@mercy.edu Telephone: 914-674-7353

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Career Opportunities:

Representative career opportunities include: producer, camera operator, scriptwriter, technical director, graphics producer, video editor, production coordinator, video librarian, production manager, stage manager, post production manager, lighting director, facility manager, tape operator, radio announcer and audio mixer.

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Curriculum:

The Media Studies major with a concentration in Radio and Television Production consists of a 48 credit concentration plus 18 elective credits. Typical areas of study are Live Broadcasting, Live-To-Tape Production, Video Editing, Electronic Field Production, Electronic News Gathering, Broadcast Journalism, Video Documentary, Broadcast History, Set Design, Signal distribution, Broadcast Management, and Cable Casting.

The Media Studies program seeks to consistently explore new areas in Media. Under a course titled, "Topics in Media Studies," students get the opportunity to learn about emergent trends that guide industry practices. These topics may change from semester to semester.

For the complete course curriculum click here.

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Campuses where program is offered:

Dobbs Ferry

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Facilities:

Our Television Studio at Maher Hall on the Dobbs Ferry Campus exposes students to a variety of program styles including multi-camera studio production, live-to-tape production, broadcast news journalism production, documentary production, video editing, and television field production. Under a Gannett Foundation Grant, the College opened the Center for Media Studies in 1988, which has become home to Media Studies classes, workshops, and extra-curricular activities. The Center features a seminar room for classroom work, workplace for class projects and assignments, and the print shop with computers for desktop publishing.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

Why should I choose to study this program at Mercy College?
Mercy College is one of the few four-year colleges in the region that offers a specialization in radio and television production. Courses are designed to give students hand-on skills needed to be successful in the field. Each production course focuses on one specific area of production for the entire semester so students can become extremely knowledgeable with that application.

Are internships available for college credit?
Internships are required and count as credit toward the major. Both the Journalism and Radio and Television Production concentrations enable students to do up to three internships for college credit. Internships in the Film/Culture concentration are not required but are suggested.

Are there jobs in this field?
Yes. While the program does not guarantee students a job after graduation, over 53 percent of the program's graduates reported that they acquired work in the field of their choice immediately after graduation. The survey was sent to students who graduated from the program during the last five years. These graduates work in both technical and non-technical positions with major broadcast and cablecast outlets both locally and nationally, such as: CNN, NY; Fox News, NY; Titan Sports, CT; WKMG-TV, Orlando, FL; RNN, NY; WNBC-TV News; WABC-TV; Family Channel; ESPN, NY and ESPN, Florida.

Is this major offered at other campus locations?
No. The major courses in Television and Radio Production are only offered at the Dobbs Ferry Campus because it would not be cost effective to build and maintain duplicate television and radio studios at other locations. All general education courses, however, can be taken at any location.

Is this field competitive?
Yes. Like most fields that pay good salaries, Radio and Television production is competitive. The idea is to prepare students for the opportunity. "Luck" happens when preparedness intersects with opportunity.

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