Bachelor of Science Media Studies: Journalism 120 Credits | School of Liberal Arts | Dobbs Ferry

Media Studies: Journalism Overview
In our Media Studies program, you’ll develop the creative and technical skills
to set you apart in any media-related path you choose. You’ll learn to use media technology to communicate effectively and keep up with the industry’s ever- changing demands.
Media Studies offers three specializations so you can tell your story your way. Explore Film/Culture and Radio & Television Production as well as journalism.
Our faculty are seasoned professionals working in the fast-paced industry. The knowledge and techniques you acquire will prepare you for a lifetime of unforgettable storytelling.
Career Opportunities
News and content are more important than ever. Your Media Studies degree can set you up in just about any field where great writers, producers and communicators are needed.
Publishing
- Reporting
- Editorial/Column Writing
- Investigative Journalism
- Advertising/Sales
Writing
- Technical Writing
- Creative Writing
- Screenwriting
Business
- Public Relations
- Media Relations
- Management
Video and Radio
- Production
- Editing
- Writing

Internships & Experience
Internships are crucial in obtaining real-world experience, building connections and exploring career choices. Students can intern at major media outlets near campus in the New York City area or anywhere they want.
Students have completed internships for organizations including:
- ESPN
- CNN
- Fox News
- BronxNet
- NBC
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does earning a degree take?
Full-time students can complete the 120-credit degree program in four years.
Are department faculty available for academic advising?
Yes, faculty are always ready to help students with questions about what courses to take, the sequencing of courses, and career opportunities, including internships and cooperative education.
Are internships available?
Yes, internships are a required part of our curriculum. Students have interned at leading news and communications organizations such as ESPN, NBC and CNN to name a few.
Can I go into another media-related field with the skills that I've acquired from this concentration?
Yes. Writers are needed in television, radio, and film. Corporations also need qualified writers to develop newsletters, annual reports, and other in-house publications.
What kind of jobs can I pursue with a writing degree?
Writers are needed in all organizations and the valuable writing skills you learn can be transferred to many career paths. Over 53 percent of the program's graduates got jobs immediately after graduation. These graduates work at Time, Inc., Wiley Educational Publishing, Christian Science Monitor, Gannett Newspapers, and The Rivertowns Enterprise.
Why should I go to Mercy for journalism?
You’ll have the opportunity to learn and practice here what you might not elsewhere, including writing in a variety of writing styles. Complete semesters are spent in individual areas such as news reporting, feature article writing, enterprise writing, web writing, and magazine writing just to name a few.
Students in this concentration produce a newspaper called The Impact. This award winning newspaper, which is distributed to the entire college community and available on line at theimpactnews.com enables its student writers to build a portfolio, a useful tool when interviewing for a job as a writer.
Program Details & Curriculum
Curriculum Overview
General Liberal Arts and Sciences
General Education Requirements: 60 Credits
Major Concentration
History: 39 Credits
Open Electives: 21 Credits
Total: 120 Credits
For a full curriculum listing visit our catalog.
Academic Program Sequence Map
Download a copy of the sequence map for:
- 2020 - 2021 Media Studies: Journalism B.S. Sequence Map
ARCHIVE:
- 2019 - 2020 Media Studies: Journalism B.S. Sequence Map
- 2018 - 2019 Media Studies: Journalism B.S. Sequence Map
- 2017 - 2018 Media Studies: Journalism B.S. Sequence Map
- 2016 - 2017 Media Studies: Journalism B.S. Sequence Map
Program Outcomes
By the end of this program, students should be able to:
- Develop appropriate creative, technical, and communication skills necessary for work in media related fields
- Acquire the knowledge and skills that will prepare them for careers in their chosen fields
- Use media technology to communicate and present material as per their major
- Create personal and social presentations in their chosen media
- Find ready employment in their chosen fields or continue onto advance study