Magazine ranks SUNY Oswego #4 for aspiring broadcast journalists

Hands-on opportunities and academic strengths contributed to SUNY Oswego being ranked fourth in College Magazine's "Top 10 Colleges for Broadcast Journalism."

Oswego's facilities include "three fully equipped state-of-the-art digital TV studios plus audio/radio production labs and recording studios," the magazine said. "Students work hands-on in class and student-run groups" including WTOP-10 TV, WNYO radio and the Oswegonian, the article noted. 

"When I was transferring, many people …t old me Oswego is the place to go for broadcasting," senior Andrew Luces told the magazine. "The people who I work with are very dedicated to the station and the product that is put on the air."

The broadcasting and journalism majors, part of the communication studies department in the college's School of Communications, Media and the Arts, succeed because of a team effort that cuts across generations, said Julie Pretzat, SCMA dean.

"In many ways, this ranking is even more meaningful because it comes from the students in these programs -- that means they feel well-prepared, supported and appreciated on our campus. Between our amazing faculty, excellent student organizations that provide real-world experience and incredibly responsive alumni, Oswego students are provided a 'top-10' education," Pretzat noted.

"The broadcast journalism program at SUNY Oswego is so awesome because of the dedication of the faculty, staff, students, administration and alumni to the success of the program," Toale said. "Countless hours are spent learning and honing the skills and craft of broadcast journalism. We are fortunate to have many enthusiastic people involved in the continued success of the program."

Alumni of the college's communication studies program include Al Roker of NBC's "Today" show, ESPN anchors Linda Cohn and Steve Levy, and countless professionals working in front of and behind cameras in cities across the United States.

The communication studies offerings partner with other SUNY Oswego programs as well. The college has prepared many meteorology majors for national and local TV news positions, while the article notes graphic design courses "allow students to explore multimedia design through photography, graphics and animations" that could aid students heading into broadcast journalism.

The magazine counted down a top 10 from Northwestern University (#10) to top-ranked Emerson College. Ithaca, ranked fifth, was the other college from New York state on the list, which appears at https://www.collegemagazine.com/top-10-colleges-broadcast-journalism.

For more information on Oswego's program, visit https://www.oswego.edu/communication-studies.