Communications Media Department

You're going to develop the skills necessary to adapt to an ever-changing technological and knowledge-based society.
Two students adjusting spotlight

Prepare for the demands of an increasingly complex, complicated, dynamic, and globalized world. We have many majors and concentrations, so there's guaranteed to be something that suits your interest.

Majors and Concentrations

Game Design

This major seeks to make the methods and tools of game design and development accessible to everyone.

Film/Video Production

A concentration that prepares you to work in film and digital media as you examine narrative and documentary filmmaking.

Graphic Design

A concentration of endless opportunity, from visual identity and branding, to web design, advertising, and more.

Photography

Study photography through hands-on experience with traditional darkrooms and the latest digital technologies.

Public Relations, Social Media, and Advertising Production

Focus your career in the following areas: public relations, advertising, marketing communications, and more.

Communication Studies

Study strategic analysis, design, application, research, and evaluation of a variety of media systems.

Theater

Perform full-scale theatrical productions that are produced and directed by our theater faculty and students.

Technical Theater

Develop a base of technical, analytical, managerial, and creative competencies for theatrical production.

Digital Media Innovation

Develop a wide range of new digital skills that span social media, multimedia storytelling, information design, data studies, coding, and more to meet the needs of a flexible and changing global economy.

Change Your Major

Are you a current Fitchburg State Undergraduate student looking to change your major to Communications Media, Game Design, or Digital Media Innovation? Please fill out one of the following internal transfer applications.

All other transfer students must fill out the Change of Major/Concentration/Minor Form AND consult with the department chair to discuss the program requirements, including the capstone internship.


Graduate Programs


Minors


Course Rotation, Plans of Study, and University Catalog


Meet Our Faculty

Communications Media Faculty

Student Portfolios

Communications Media Showcase

Visit our Communications Media Showcase for a look at the incredible work by students across all our programs.

Beyond the Classroom

Communications Media Internships

Internship Program

Each Communications Media student is required to complete an internship as part of the graduation requirements. The full-semester 12-credit internship requires the completion of a semester of 30-40 hour weeks of mentored practicum experience. The 6-credit internship requires 15-20 hours per week. 
Read more about: Internship Program

VISIONS Honors Program

Visions is the juried honors showcase of the year's best original student work in the Communications Media Department.
Read more about: VISIONS Honors Program

Honors and Recognition

We have many outstanding students we would like to recognize for their exemplary work in our concentrations. 
Read more about: Honors and Recognition

Comm Media Alumni

Throughout our program's long history we have had a number of notable alumni that are spread out all over the country and the world.
Read more about: Comm Media Alumni

Events and a Look Inside the Courses

Check out our Burg Blog for various events as well as a look inside the many courses around campus.
Read more about: Events and a Look Inside the Courses

Facility, Equipment, and Lab Information

  • Communication Studies theory classrooms are equipped with smart board technology to aid our students in advancing their studies.
  • Film/Video Production students have access to industry standard production and editing equipment beginning their freshman year. Students get hands-on experience with a variety of film and digital cameras ranging from basic HD cameras to 2K and high end Arriflex film cameras. We have numerous post-production labs and suites running professional editing applications for both sound and picture. Additionally, the film and video facility houses a large motion picture studio that can accommodate multiple productions simultaneously.
  • Graphic Design has a lab facility, work room, and a print room equipped with state-of-the-art equipment that gives students a competitive edge when they enter the field.
  • Photography students have access to one of the finest darkroom and studio facilities in New England. Our students work with professional equipment as early as their first year. Students get a hands-on experience with equipment ranging from manual 35mm film to digital SLR cameras, medium format Hasselblad and Mamiya cameras, as well as traditional 4x5 view cameras. The photography lab is equipped with two large group darkrooms and several individual darkrooms. There are also two digitally equipped professional commercial studios in which to learn and create.
  • Professional Communication students will produce professional text and will have the opportunity to be critiqued by experienced professionals throughout the program.
  • Game Design students will have access to a game library/lounge which will allow them to research, play test, and experience games together on a variety of systems. The game design and development lab and game workshop room feature computers, tablets, and mobile device tools in multiple platforms for seminars and small group work.

Communications Media Labs and Studios

Game Design Labs

Hours

Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Locations

  • CNIC 329 Game Design Lab
  • CNIC 331 Game Design Lab

Graphic Design Labs

Hours

Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Locations

  • CNIC 338 Graphic Design Mac Lab (16-person limit)

Film/Video Labs and Studios

Hours

Monday - Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Some Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (exact dates TBD)

Locations

Labs where students can work on their projects are assigned by the professor for each course.

  • CNIC 306 EQ, Equipment Central to reserve equipment and film/video studio
  • CNIC 310A Film/Video Studio

How to Reserve Studio: You must reserve the studio by making a reservation in person at EQ. Please be aware that classes also use this space during the daytime.

Photography Labs and Studios

Hours

Monday - Thursday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Locations

  • CNIC 350 Lab
  • CNIC 222A, 222B Photo Studios

How to Reserve Studio: Studio use is reserved for current Photo students in the Studio Photography classes. Any use by other members of the Fitchburg State community must be requested by email cmcininch@fitchburgstate.edu and will be approved on a case-by-case basis.

Questions? Get in touch!

Please reach out through the contact information below or by contacting the department chair, Jeff Warmouth in Conlon Hall 237A at  978.665.3406. Our department administrator is also available to help Karen Valeri at kvaleri@fitchburgstate.edu, 978.665.3260.