Award: Associate of Applied Science Degree
No. of credits required: 60
For more information: Contact Professor Claudia Brown, 443-412-2126, clbrown@harford.edu or Admissions, 443-412-2109.

Program Description

This program is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in journalism, social media, marketing, advertising, or for transfer to a four-year institution. This program emphasizes a multimedia approach, including instruction in journalism, new media, advertising, and marketing promotion.

Program Goals

Upon completion of the degree program students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate media literacy;
2. Appraise present-day media content, operation, regulation, impact, and/or implications;
3. Apply current technology to produce or market media content;
4. Convey ideas via electronic media.

Employment Information

Journalists research stories and present information in written, spoken or digital form. Typical activities in this career field include writing and editing content, reporting on-air, and shooting and editing photography and video. Marketing and advertising account executives oversee the financial resources, administration, and campaign strategy of agency, digital media, online, and broadcast operations. Typical activities in this career field include creating social media and marketing campaigns, selling airtime, developing sales material, calling on clients, and developing online and multimedia presentations.

Entry-level positions in this field are promising. However, minimum standards and employment competition are high. Students are encouraged to prepare a portfolio and a résumé prior to seeking employment. See also the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report for news analysts, reporters, and journalists.

Field Trip Statement

Courses in this program may require field trips.

Degree Requirements

Recommended Course Sequence

¹

Students, through advisement, may elect options toward journalism/new media or advertising promotion.

²

A four credit course in mathematics (GM) may be substituted.

³

General Elective upon advisement and chosen according to personal or career interests or to the requirements of the institution to which transfer is planned.

General Education Degree Requirements

Note: The following codes identify courses which satisfy the General Education Degree Requirements:

Behavioral/Social Science (GB)
English Composition (GE)
Arts/Humanities (GAH)
Interdisciplinary and Emerging Issues (GI)
Biological/Physical Laboratory Science (GL)
Mathematics (GM)
Biological/Physical Science (GS)

Part-Time Progression Plan

The part-time progression plan for programs of study has been developed as a helpful example for students to guide their academic journey. This plan outlines a likely sequence of courses and milestones over three years to help students visualize their academic path. It is important to note that this progression plan is based solely on the core requirements outlined in the approved program of study and does not include any additional requirements. Each student’s experience may vary based on their specific interests, course availability, and academic history. Therefore, students are encouraged to work closely with their academic advisor.

Part-Time General Education Electives

To earn an Associate degree, students must complete at least 60 college-level credits, including a required number of General Education (Gen Ed) credits:

• AA, AS, and AAT degrees require 28–36 General Education credits as part of the 60 total. This includes a minimum of:
  • 6 credits of Arts/Humanities (GAH)
  • 6 credits of Behavioral/Social Sciences (GB)
  • 3 credits of English Composition (GE) - satisfied by ENG 101 English Composition (GE)
  • 4 credits of Biological/Physical Laboratory Science (GL)
  • 3 credits of Mathematics (GM)
  • 3 credits of Biological/Physical Science (GS)
• AAS degrees require at least 18 General Education credits, including one course from each of the following categories: GAH, GB, GE, GL, and GM.

General Education courses must be selected from the college’s approved list and may be further specified by individual degree programs. Unless a General Education course is specifically required by a program, the elective General Education courses listed in the recommended sequence are intended as suggestions, not mandatory selections.

General Education Degree Requirements

Note: The following codes identify courses which satisfy the General Education Degree Requirements:

Behavioral/Social Science (GB)
English Composition (GE)
Arts/Humanities (GAH)
Interdisciplinary and Emerging Issues (GI)
Biological/Physical Laboratory Science (GL)
Mathematics (GM)
Biological/Physical Science (GS)

Recommended Part-Time Sequence