Broadcast Media Production

SUNY Adirondack offers an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Broadcast Media Production. At least half this degree can be earned online. 

Media production encompasses creating video and audio content for news and entertainment for diverse audiences across a variety of distribution networks, including web and mobile platforms, social media, and broadcast television and radio.  This dynamic and expanding field offers a multitude of career paths.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Broadcast Media Production students develop their ideas from concept through completed message as audio podcasts, narrative and documentary short films, webisode videos, TV news, on-air radio and other evolving media channels. 

Through specialized courses in audio production, media writing, video editing, digital cinema and video news production, students build a professional demo reel to market their ideas and themselves. Broadcast Media Production teaches clear communication and the skills required for effective entertainment and information sharing across media.

UNIQUE FEATURES
SUNY Adirondack offers small class sizes and access to dedicated faculty who have years of experience in professional on-air broadcast media, video and film production, and new media distribution. Students have the unique opportunity to participate in on-air radio broadcasts and web streaming through the college’s radio station, WGFR FM, The Revolution. The station can be found online at www.wgfr.org

Experiential learning begins early in the first semester and leads to an internship or radio practicum. Throughout the two-year program, students are active in the audio studios, radio station, four-camera video studio and control room, and on location with professional cameras, lighting and audio equipment.  

Industry standard, and beyond

As technology continues to change the media industries, SUNY Adirondack's Associate in Applied Science degree in Broadcast Media Production adapts to stay current.

"The degree has changed in so many ways. We're modifying courses in the program's core requirements and expanding course offerings in video and digital cinema," said Kevin Ankeny, professor of Broadcasting.

Keeping the curriculum fresh has strengthened the program's relationship with other degree programs on campus.

“We’ve increased our collaboration with the Media Arts program, so students in that AAS program now have an option to do a video concentration in addition to focusing on graphics, web design or photography,” Ankeny said. “Our courses provide the fundamental skills to bring audio and video to broadcast television and radio, plus newer web and mobile platforms. Students become 'Swiss Army knives' in media production — able to use their skills for podcasting, video streaming and other new media ventures.”

Preparing students for real-world careers has required technology upgrades.

“Our re-equipped TV studio has three professional HD floor cameras and one robotic PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) camera all tied to a server-based control room with hard-drive recording and playback,” Ankeny said. “Our live studio production uses a workflow comparable to web streaming studios and local broadcast TV.  Students also shoot video in the field with the same cameras as the video journalists posting content on cable news websites. Plus, we've got lighting, grip and sound equipment for digital cinema that gives students pro-level experience for independent filmmaking.”

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Degree requirements

Career Coach

 

CAREER & TRANSFER OPPORTUNITIES

A career in broadcasting offers exciting work environments and opportunities to work in a variety of positions such as:

  • TV studio production assistant
  • Television director
  • Television news photographer/editor
  • Broadcast sales consultant
  • On-air radio personality 
  • Freelance video producer
  • In-venue sports video crew member

Upon graduation, students have the opportunity to continue their education and transfer to a bachelor's degree program at four-year colleges and universities. There are multiple campuses to choose from, including:

  • SUNY Oswego
  • SUNY Fredonia
  • SUNY Plattsburgh
  • SUNY Buffalo State
  • SUNY Oneonta
  • Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
  • Castleton University
  • College of Saint Rose
  • and many more

 

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss contemporary media practices from historical, legal, ethical and socio-cultural perspectives.

2. Write effective content for broadcast, web and print media using contemporary writing styles and formatting conventions. 

3. Create single-camera video content for broadcast, cable, web and cinema audiences using industry-standard production equipment and software. 

4. Create multi-camera video programs for broadcast, cable and web audiences using industry-standard studio, and control room equipment and software. 

5. Create audio content for broadcast and web audiences using industry-standard audio studio and/or on-air radio control room equipment.  

6. Edit video and audio content using industry standard postproduction software.