AA in Journalism, Media and Professional Writing
Northampton Community College
Key Information
Campus location
Bethlehem, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 semesters
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 2,535 / per semester *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Aug 2024
* Northampton County PA: $2,535 Monroe County PA: $3,990 Other PA County: $5,325 Out of State/Country: $7,410. Additional fees may apply
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
Northampton Community College's Journalism, Media, and Professional Writing associate degree program give students the chance to earn a communications degree that can be applied to many different media outlets. With electronics and technology dominating communications, students in Journalism, Media, and Professional Writing don't go to college looking for careers in just print media.
The program at NCC focuses on newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and the Web, as well as photography, multimedia production, and business communications. These are the skills that are highly marketable and are sought after by editors and executives in the 21st century. Students can join our campus newspaper and work with both local and national organizations through internships.
This program is offered at our Bethlehem campus, with an additional option to complete the degree partly online. It is open to high school graduates with strong writing skills and an avid interest in current events.
Transfer Information:
Students planning to continue their studies at a four-year school typically transfer to such nearby institutions as Temple, Kutztown, and East Stroudsburg universities, which they should begin to consider by the completion of their first year at NCC. Other in-state universities that have attracted students in this major include Lehigh, Penn State and Pittsburgh.
Admissions
Curriculum
Students in the journalism concentration are required to participate in the flagship of the program, The Commuter, the student news operation published online and in print. Students in the business writing concentration are welcome to participate on The Commuter.
Students report on the community, both at the College and in the surrounding area. This practical hands-on approach gives students exposure to situations similar to those that professional journalists encounter every day.
Courses in this program are offered primarily during the day.
As a student in this program, you will become critically aware of the diverse functions of the media and how it affects society and culture. Now more than ever, people expect 24-hour news coverage at their fingertips. At NCC, you'll develop highly professional skills to write informative content in a timely manner. Not only will you learn about traditional media, but you'll learn how to create online content as technology evolves.
First Semester
- COLS101College Success
- JOUR101Journalism and Society
- CMTH102Introduction to Communication
- ENGL101English I
- JOUR102News Editing
- JOUR104Media Publication
Second Semester
- CMTH104Mass Media and Society
- MATH150Introductory Statistics
- JOUR210Journalism Practicum
- SOCA103GPrinciples of Sociology
- ENGL151LEnglish II
- HIST163American History II
Third Semester
- GEOG101World Geography
- JOUR204Newswriting
- POLS251State and Local Government
- General Education Elective (AH)
- JOUR210Journalism Practicum
- Science Elective (SCI)
Fourth Semester
- JOUR210Journalism Practicum
- CMTH180Multimedia Production
- JOUR202Social Media for Writers
- JOUR201GFeature Writing
- Mathematics (QL) or Science (SCI) Elective
Computer competencies are included in various courses in this program. Thus, completing the program automatically satisfies the computing requirement for this program.
One course should be designated as Diversity and Global Awareness (D).
Completion of SOCA103G and JOUR201G satisfies the Writing Intensive (WI) requirement for this program.
Program Outcome
Graduates of the program will:
- Be critically aware of the roles, legal rights and ethical responsibilities of journalists in a multicultural society.
- Demonstrate responsible news judgment that serves the needs of a multicultural audience.
- Demonstrate ability to edit copy for appropriate, correct English and Associated Press (AP) style.
- Demonstrate ability to write interesting headlines and captions fitting an article or photograph.
- Demonstrate ability to gather material and create news content for print and the web.
- Be able to use various narrative techniques in creating news content for print and the web.
- Demonstrate understanding of the basic operation of desktop and web publishing tools.
- Be able to use social media, search engine optimization and content aggregation to reach and build an intended audience.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Many types of professional communicators exist, from the local beat newspaper reporter to the corporate communications specialist, the magazine feature writer to the college relations officer -and beyond. It is difficult to pin down the daily routine of an average professional writer, but they all gather information and review data to collect and report information and its implications. In this digital age, many writing professionals are finding work in online content both in journalism and in the business sector.
In just two years, students can graduate and work at an entry-level journalism position or continue their education at a four-year institution. NCC's Career Services office can connect you to internships and other opportunities at local newspapers, PR firms, and organizations during your time at Northampton.
Future Career Paths
- Journalism
- College Information
- Media Relations
- Corporate Communications
- Public Relations