In an age of emerging and convergent technologies, these are exciting times for people working in the radio and television industries. Our students are prepared for the transition to digital and wide screen production in an increasingly international market that distributes material via the traditional broadcast and cable networks as well as DVD and the Internet. Production majors learn how to use the tools necessary to create mediated messages, but more importantly they learn how the technology allows them to communicate effectively.
Production majors receive a solid liberal arts education combined with media theory, writing and professional course work with hands-on experience. Students prepare for careers in the electronic media by utilizing writing and production skills in the classroom as well as the surrounding community.
The Program
Students who wish to become radio/television production majors may apply after they have earned 30 credits and successfully completed the core courses: Media and Society and Electronic Media Writing. These courses help to give prospective majors a sold foundation in the history, regulation, business and creative aspects of the electronic media. Once these basic requirements have been met, students follow an application procedure for acceptance into the program.
Upon acceptance as a major, students begin their production sequence as well as take media-related electives. When course work has been completed, most students participate in an internship at a place of their choosing appropriate for their career plans.
Majors have the opportunity to join the Communication and Media Society through a department student-run organization that emphasizes professionalism, lifelong learning and networking with alumni and others in the media industries.
Internships
A broad-based, competitive internship program offers qualified juniors and seniors challenging opportunities to extend their experience to the media workplace. New Paltz students have interned with organizations such as: American Movie Classics, Blair Television, BMG Music, Cablevision Systems, CBS-Sports, Comedy Central, HBO, Lifetime, MSG, MTV, NBC News, Sony Music, WABC-TV, WEOK/WPDH, WFAN, WRNN-TV, and television shows ranging from Rosie O'Donnell and Montel Williams to Law and Order.
Facilities
Teaching facilities feature the digital technologies that students will face entering the production industries. Our audio area includes two control rooms with studios and four digital audio work stations for editing. Video facilities include a large television studio and nonlinear edition rooms, including Avid HD Pro, Pro-Tools, Adobe Premiere and Photoshop. Students have unlimited access to the audio and video editing facilities to prepare their class productions. Conveniently located near these facilities are two computer labs, a graphics lab, a reading room, and the department office.
Faculty
Members of the radio/television faculty have professional media experience as well as graduate degrees in their field. Their individual areas of specialization include audio and video production, media management, radio/television history and criticism, and media effects. Faculty are actively engaged in professional productions, consultants to a number of Fortune 500 media firms, hold office in national organizations, and publish media-oriented research.
Production Faculty
Lynn Spangler, Ph.D.- Professor
Greg Bray, M.A. - Instructor
Applying for the Major
Students who indicate an interest in radio/television production when applying to the college will be admitted as pre-majors and advised by the Department of Communication and Media. To become a major, you must:
- Submit your most recent (unofficial) transcript. If you have attended any other institutions of higher learning, you must also submit a transcript from those schools.
- Have a 2.5 overall GPA if already on campus; transfer students must have a 2.75 GPA.
- Have taken the core courses with no lower than a "C+" in any of them and an overall 2.67 average among the three:
90101 Media & Society;
90319 Electronic Media Writing.
You must apply for this major before you have completed 75 credits and you may apply only once. Deadlines for applications are available through the Department of Communication and Media as well as Admissions.
Before becoming a major, all students are encouraged to get involved in campus media as well as take the required core media courses. High school students interested in the production major can prepare themselves by taking courses in media, writing, and extra-curricular work in any media-related area. A general background in math, history, science, and social studies is also recommended. Transfer students may want to take either audio or studio production before they come to New Paltz, but it is not required.
Transfer students: It is important that you see the Department of Communication & Media academic advisor or chair to evaluate your transferred courses that might count towards the major, including if any can count as a core course. If you have not had all the required courses at your previous school, you will be enrolled as a pre-major.
Communication & Media Course Descriptions
Journalism Course Descriptions
