Plans for a new branding and integrated communications master's are moving ahead
by Jessica Reyes
Ever wonder what’s next for you after graduating? Some travel, others hit the streets and look for employment, and then there just those who just can’t get enough of school and apply to a graduate program.For those seeking a career in the communications field, you just might be in luck. A possible Branding + Integrated Communication (BIC) masters program from the Media and Communications Arts (MCA) department here at City College (CCNY) is being pledged to CUNY officials. This would be the first program to incorporate both the disciplines of Public Relations & Advertising with the bonus of branding all combined, in all of the CUNY schools.BIC combines several forms of communications. The goal is to teach students to help companies build and reinforce their brands, using advertising, PR and social media.After graduation, students can get jobs in public relations firms or advertising agencies. They have the ability to work under such departments as corporate communications, social media, management, entertainment, and a list that can go on. This competitive market requires professionals to have training in all these areas.MCA chair Nancy Tag will serve as director and is actively promoting the two-year program, which she hopes will launch in fall 2012. “Our Master's in BIC will teach students how to develop and measure strategy. It will instruct students on how to create messaging off of that strategy in ways and through vehicles and placement that touches and motivates relevant targets. It will teach relationship building among all principles in the process.”There’s already been buzz about the program and many students have hit Facebook expressing their interest. “I'm very happy that there will be a grad program for Advertising and Public Relations students at CCNY and other students from different colleges worldwide,” says current MCA student Anthony Mainville. “It interests me because of the great experience I've had during my undergraduate work as an AD/PR student at CCNY.” Other universities, such as Columbia and NYU, have masters programs in Communications. The CCNY, program, however, slices their tuition by more then half, making it extremely affordable to obtain a higher degree in the media capital of the world, New York.Christina Burgos, a Berkeley College graduate who majored in Communications, has always wanted to get her masters but says cost inhibits her from going further in her academic career. The proposed CCNY program looks very attractive to her. “I am definitely interested!” she says.Anthony Haley, who graduated last year, is also excited about the potential master’s program. He hasn’t been able to find a job and has been interning at Uniworld Group. More education would make him more marketable. “I think it is a great opportunity that all MCA students, past and current, should consider,” says 23 year-old Haley. “I would definitely consider it, schedule permitting.”CUNY officials are in the process of evaluating the program, which is in the final steps of completion. If it is approved, candidates can start applying later in the year. twitter: @jessreyes0228