Shape your future and the future of communication
Gain real-world experience through hands-on internships in New York City, the media capital of the world.
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B.S. in Communication Studies
Degree:
B.S.School:
School of Liberal ArtsLocation:
Dobbs Ferry & ManhattanCredits:
120
Get More Info
Communication Studies B.S. Curriculum
General Liberal Arts and Sciences
General Education Requirements
60 Credits
Major Concentration
Communication Studies
42 Credits
Open Electives
18 Credits
Total
120 Credits
Students who major in Communication Studies must complete:
Communication Studies Foundation Courses
- COMM 200 Interpersonal Communication
- COMM 220 Intercultural Communication
- COMM 330 Communication Law and Ethics
- COMM 398 Communication Research Methods
- MEDA 145 Media in America
Communication Studies Requirements
- COMM 370 Effective Presentations
- COMM 399 Internship in Comm Studies
- COMM 451 Capstone in Communication Consulting
Communication Studies Elective
Communication Studies majors select 6 additional courses from the following categories. Other options include COMM 295 Topics in Communication Studes and and additional internships (at least one course per category):
Communication Theory
- MEDA 130 News Reporting
- COMM 385 The Media Revolution
- COMM 231 Propaganda
- MKTG 220 Principles of Marketing
- COMM 219 Group Behavior
Writing
- MEDA 134 The Feature Article I
- COMM 154 Publicity Writing
- ENGL 202 Business Writing
- ENGL 217 Intro Creative Writing
- ENGL 265 Introduction to Playwriting
- COMM 345 Writing for Digital Media
- ENGL 304 Modern English: Writing with Style
Production and Technology
- MEDA 110 Radio Production I
- MEDA 115 Fundamentals TV Production
- MEDA 215 Video Editing Workshop
- CART 219 Web Design I
- COMM 356 Communication Technologies
- MEDA 132 Copy Editing & Layout
- MEDA 201 Intrvw Technique Today's Media
- MEDA 255 Creative Advertising
Theatre Arts
- COMM 249 Persuasion
- MEDA 246 Elements of Theatre
- COMM 250 Psychology of Communication
- ENGL 259 Oral Performance of Literature
- MEDA 262 Introduction to Acting
- MEDA 263 Scene Study
- MEDA 282 Play Directing
With approval from the Program Director, other electives may be substituted based on the student's career interests.
Up to nine credits of internships may be earned by a student majoring in Communication Studies.
*Core course for B.S. Communication Studies program and must be taken at a registered campus. This course cannot be substituted.
Public Relations Specialization
Communication Studies Specialization Public Relations Foundation
- COMM 220 Intercultural Communication
- COMM 330 Communication Law and Ethics
- COMM 398 Communication Research Methods
- COMM 200 Interpersonal Communication
Communication Studies Specialization Public Relations Requirements
- COMM 225 Visual Communication
- COMM 370 Effective Presentations
- COMM 450 Advanced Practice of PR
- COMM 154 Publicity Writing
- COMM 252 The Practice of Public Relations
- COMM 399 Internship in Comm Studies
Communication Studies Specialization Public Relations Electives
In addition, students who choose the Communication Studies/Specialization in Public Relations major select four courses (12 credits) in any combination from these four Specialized Elective Categories as well as COMM 295 Topics in Communication Studies and COMM 397 Independent Study
Communication Theory
- MEDA 145 Media in America
- COMM 231 Propaganda
- MKTG 220 Principles of Marketing
- COMM 219 Group Behavior
- COMM 249 Persuasion
- COMM 385 The Media Revolution
Production and Technology
- MEDA 110 Radio Production I
- MEDA 115 Fundamentals TV Production
- MEDA 215 Video Editing Workshop
- CART 219 Web Design I
- COMM 356 Communication Technologies
- MEDA 132 Copy Editing & Layout
- MEDA 201 Interviewing Techniques for Today's Media
- COMM 255 Creative Advertising
Writing
- MEDA 130 News Reporting
- MEDA 134 The Feature Article I
- ENGL 202 Business Writing
- ENGL 217 Creative Writing: Fiction
- COMM 345 Writing for the Digital Media
- ENGL 304 Modern English: Writing with Style
Theatre Arts
- COMM 249 Persuasion
- MEDA 246 Elements of Theatre
- ENGL 259 Oral Performance of Literature
- MEDA 262 Introduction to Acting
- MEDA 263 Scene Performance
- MEDA 282 Play Directing
With approval from the Program Head, other specialization electives may be substituted based on the student's career interests.
Up to nine credits in internships may be taken by a student majoring in Communications Studies.
*This is the Core Course for the Communication Studies, Public Relations Specialization and must be taken at a registered campus. This course cannot be substituted.
Academic Program Sequence Map
Download a copy of the sequence map for:
ARCHIVE
- 2018 - 2019 Communication Studies BS Sequence Map
- 2017 - 2018 Communication Studies BS Sequence Map
- 2016 - 2017 Communication Studies BS Sequence Map
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.
What is the first step in the admissions process?
Click on "Apply Now" on the Mercy homepage or call 1.877.MERCY.GO to apply for admission to Mercy College and arrange for an appointment with an Admissions Counselor. Bring your completed application form and copies of your high school and/or college transcripts with you at the time of your appointment.
Who are the faculty in the communication studies program?
The program is taught by scholars with academic expertise, as well as practitioners with extensive industry experience. Because the study of communication is inherently interdisciplinary, you will have the benefit of learning from faculty with a wide variety of practical skills and professional insight.
How long does earning a degree take?
Full-time students can complete the 120-credit degree program in four years.
How many credits can be transferred from another institution?
Up to 75 credits from a two-year institution. Up to 90 from a four-year institution. Up to 90 credits combined however the credits may not exceed 75 credits from any combination of two-year institutions as they apply to your chosen degree. In addition you may only transfer in two courses of upper-level business credit (six credits) to apply to the major / specialization.
Is this program offered online?
While some Communications Studies courses are offered online, the majority of courses are taught onsite at both our Dobbs Ferry and Manhattan campuses, two convenient locations in the NYC metropolitan area.
Marc Palmieri
Instructor, Communication Studies
Richard Medoff
Associate Professor, Speech Director, General Education
Jade Snyder
Assistant Professor, Communication Studies/PR
Jason Zalinger
Assistant Professor, Communication Studies
Communication Studies Overview
Why do we communicate? What does it mean to be a good communicator? What does it mean to be a good listener? How does the relentless advance of technology allow us to connect and disconnect with other human beings? What does it mean to practice the complex, nuanced, daily art of communication? As a communication studies major, you will dive into these questions and more, all while sharpening the speaking, writing, and listening skills critical to your personal and professional lives.
Offering a balanced combination of theory and practice, the communication studies program will prepare you to be a creative problem solver with the communication skills that employers demand in a rapidly-changing, always-on digital world. We provide small class sizes and a flexible curriculum, which allows students to tailor their coursework so that it is in harmony with their career goals.
Communication Studies Minor (15 Credits Required)
Students who wish to minor in Communication Studies must complete any five courses within the major.
To register for the minor, please contact your PACT mentor.
For questions about specific courses, please direct them to the Program Director, Professor Jay Zalinger, at jzalinger@mercy.edu.
Note: Courses designated as being in the School of New Resources cannot be used toward the minor.
Public Relations Specialization
The public relations specialization prepares students to be the PR strategists of tomorrow. Students will receive a solid grounding in public relations writing, strategy and techniques taught by practitioners in the field. Before graduation, you’ll take the ultimate PR challenge in your capstone course: To solve a challenging communication problem for a real-world client. It is a critical learning opportunity for students to collaborate in developing solutions for high-end, creative firms.
The public relations specialization will position you for a variety of careers, including: corporate spokespersons, public relations assistants, social media strategists, content writers, community relations specialists, marketing and advertising professionals, and more.
Career Opportunities
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, communication skills (written and verbal) place at the top of the list of attributes that employers look for on a recent graduate’s resume. The skills communication studies students gain can help put them at the top of the pile. Since New York City is the epicenter of the communications industry, you’ll be encouraged to take up to three internships—letting you test the career waters at PR firms, advertising agencies, non-profits, and many other organizations in the New York area and beyond.
Contact
For information, please contact:
Professor Jay Zalinger
Program Director
Victory Hall 209B
jzalinger@mercy.edu
914-674-7511
Program Outcomes
By the end of this program, students should be able to:
- Articulate various viewpoints using media of their choosing
- Apply communication history, theory, and principles to communication problem-solving
- Evaluate and incorporate reliable information in the analysis of communication problems and issues
- Be aware of and sensitive to the impact of diverse cultures in discussing, analyzing, and developing communication strategies
- Present an analysis of how communication law and ethical principles apply to their profession
- Produce well constructed, logical, written expressions that conform to standard written English
- Critique and create visual images in support of professional communications
- Describe the application of theory and skills to address communication challenges, meet goals, and solve communication problems
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