Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies

at State University of New York College at Brockport USA

Create marketing plans, collect and analyze consumer data, and develop advertising campaigns for traditional and digital media. Attend guest lectures from seasoned international marketing professionals, complete case analyses, work on marketing simulations, and complete course projects to promote local businesses.

You will have access to our trained staff who will help you obtain internships with regional businesses or non-profits, enhance your interviewing skills, and get your resume job ready. 

What You’ll Learn

You will be introduced to the marketing concepts and tools that are important to succeed in today’s world. Prepare for a career in domestic or global brand management, digital marketing, market research, advertising, or brand consulting.

The criminal justice program is for students interested in studying the causes, prevention and control of crime, as well as the theories and policies relative to the structure and operation of various law enforcement (policing), correctional and judicial organizations. The criminal justice major prepares students for criminal justice careers in professional justice agencies. Careers in criminal justice can be categorized by a variety of organizations (e.g. state and local police; correctional organizations for adult and juveniles; legal and judicial organizations; federal law enforcement; private security organizations, etc.).

Criminal justice is both a professional and a liberal arts program. The major curriculum consists of three components: 1) criminal justice proficiency courses (required); 2) criminal justice electives, which can be grouped into specialty areas or not, at the student’s option; 3) non-criminal justice courses (co-requisites), many in related liberal arts disciplines, which can be taken during the first two years of college.

What You’ll Learn

Find out why people commit crimes and how police, courts, and corrections operate to control them. You'll gain a greater understanding of the criminal justice system.

Our degree helps you reach your goals through diverse faculty expertise, comprehensive learning, hands-on experiences, and internships. Choose classes that align with your career goals across a range of issues.

The study of philosophy is excellent preparation for a career in any field that requires clear, analytical thinking, writing, and speaking, including law, government, teaching and education, the ministry, business and management, publishing, and many other fields. Philosophy is traditionally considered the premier major for those planning to apply to law school. Philosophy majors score on average significantly higher on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) than do the majors in any of the humanities or social sciences, including political science, history, and English; and philosophy majors on average are accepted to law school at higher rates than are students majoring in many other popular pre-law fields. Philosophy is also an excellent double major.

The Department of Philosophy sponsors the College's chapter of Phi Sigma Tau, the International Honors Philosophy Society, which recognizes student academic excellence. The Department also operates the Center for Philosophic Exchange, which sponsors free public guest lectures on campus by distinguished philosophers and publishes the on-line journal, Philosophic Exchange.

Student Learning Outcomes:

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

• Present a philosophical problem, by (1) concisely and precisely stating a philosophical problem to be resolved by an argument or essay, (2) explaining why the problem is significant, (3) explaining the scope of the problem, (4) defining any terms necessary for understanding the problem.
• Explicate the meaning of a philosophical theory by (1) correctly deducing the logical implications of that theory, (2) describing those implications in terms of specific examples, (3) recognizing when another statement or theory contradicts the relevant theory explicitly, (4) recognizing when another statement or theory contradicts the relevant theory implicitly.
• Demonstrate understanding of evidence by (1) correctly stating what counts as relevant evidence for a philosophical position, (2) correctly stating what counts as relevant evidence against the argument for a philosophical position and recognizing that evidence as such, (3) explaining why any cited evidence is relevant or irrelevant to a philosophical position, (4) distinguishing evidentiary claims about a philosophical position from rhetorically persuasive but specious claims about a philosophical position.
• Demonstrate knowledge of logic, by (1) recognizing arguments, (2) constructing good arguments, (3) evaluating arguments, (4) avoiding fallacies (e.g. begging the question).
• Demonstrate knowledge of dialectical method in philosophy, by (1) formulating possible objections to the thesis of an essay, (2) formulating possible objections to the argument for the essay's thesis, (3) responding to possible objections to the essay's thesis by showing that they are mistaken, (4) responding to possible objections to the argument for the essay's thesis by showing that they are mistaken.

Anthropologists study human behavior and thought in both the past and the present with the goal of improving our world. We holistically draw on sociocultural, archaeological, and biological approaches to engage with humanity’s current challenges: the outcomes of the humanity-environment relationship; human rights abuses and the need for social justice; and the complexities of human heritage and identities. Whether through ethnographic fieldwork, archaeological excavation, biological lab work, or visual and material cultural analysis, our students and faculty collaborate closely to learn and improve our knowledge of human variation. This is an invaluable resource for our students as they prepare for a more complex future.

The Anthropology Major consists of 24 required course credits plus 12 elective credits that allow students to augment their education with a dual major or minor in another field applicable to their goals and needs.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

• Knowledge base. Students gain an understanding of the broad knowledge base of human biocultural diversity through time and across cultures, as provided through archaeology, biological and cultural anthropology.
• Methods. Students gain knowledge and skills in the different anthropological research methods used in the sub-fields of archaeology, biological or cultural anthropology.
• Theory. Students learn to define and describe anthropological theory as used in current and past practice by anthropologists, in archaeology, biological and/or cultural anthropology.
• Critical Thinking. Students develop the ability to question, reflect and critique the data and arguments upon which evaluations of human diversity, behavior and change are made.
• Analysis. Students learn to apply theories and methods to explain or interpret anthropological problems, including cross-cultural patterns of social behavior, human evolution, and social change over time and space.
• Ethics. Students learn the appropriate procedures and protocols for obtaining informed consent or access permissions, in order to avoid harm or wrong to one’s human or non-human subjects and descendants.

Sociology explores how our lives, behaviors, and identities are shaped by our ties to others, from intimate spheres to global ones. Completing the Sociology major gives you the tools to understand the complex structures of the social world and how they interact. Sociology courses at Brockport include topics as diverse as sport, health, race and ethnicity, food, gender, education, and human rights.

At the core of sociology is what C. Wright Mills calls "The Sociological Imagination," the awareness that "neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both." Rigorous research and creative concepts enable sociologists to, in Pierre Bourdieu's words, "think in a completely astonished and disconcerted way about things you thought you had always understood."

Both scientific and humanistic, sociology is a classic, liberal-arts discipline. Sociology students learn to examine both cultures and social structures, gaining significant insights into society, social change, and their own social identities. Research and analytical skills, combined with an emphases on effective communication and critical thinking, prepare sociology students for success in graduate school or careers in the social service, nonprofit, public-sector, and business fields.

Student Learning Outcomes:

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

• Apply sociological theories to understand social phenomena
• Explain how culture and social structure shape individual experiences and opportunities
• Rigorously analyze social science data
• Effectively communicate sociological concepts and empirical findings

The 30-credit Master of Arts in Mathematics provides students with a solid foundation in the major areas of mathematics, an appreciation for the structures and theories of advanced mathematics, and a deeper understanding of the role of mathematics in applications. The department strives to produce graduates who exhibit knowledge, comprehension and creativity in the practice of mathematics as they pursue their careers in college/high school teaching, business or government, or as they pursue doctoral studies. Please note that the information in this document is subject to change. For the latest information on our courses, please contact the department.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

• Apply the methods of three major areas of mathematics to rigorously solve problems and carry out proofs that are typical to each of these areas.
• Carry out the creative and explorative processes of mathematics, including conjecture, generalization, and the construction of mathematically rigorous proofs.
• Use mathematics to model and analyze real world problems, and utilize technology as appropriate to help solve mathematical problems and judge the reasonableness of results.
• Communicate mathematics effectively.
• Actively engage with mathematics beyond the classroom.

The study of History promotes the knowledge, breadth of perspective, intellectual growth, and skills essential to achieving career success, leading a purposeful life, and exercising responsible citizenship. History majors develop strong critical thinking, research, communication and problem-solving skills that prepare them to succeed in a wide range of rewarding careers, including law, teaching, business, entrepreneurship, public administration, journalism, information technology/library science, publishing, urban and regional planning, social work, and government.

The Department of History offers students a comprehensive range of courses that covers the world across all time periods and features a diverse array of topics. In addition, it offers professional development courses that help students reflect on how the study of history can help serve their personal and professional goals after graduation. The History major is flexible, allowing students to select classes that match their interests, and at 36 credits enables students to complete other majors or minors that complement the History degree. This flexibility also allows majors the opportunity to broaden their horizons through study abroad and to explore future career paths through internships coordinated through the Department of History.

Students who want to teach history at the middle or high school level should enroll in the Social Studies Inclusive Education (SSI) major, which leads to certification as both a Social Studies and Special Education teacher, or the Social Studies Education (SSE) major, which leads to certification solely as a Social Studies teacher. 

Student Learning Outcomes:

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

• Articulate a thesis in response to a historical problem
• Advance in logical sequence principal arguments in defense of a historical thesis.
• Provide relevant evidence in defense of a historical thesis.
• Evaluate the significance of a historical thesis by relating it to a broader field of historical knowledge.
• Express themselves clearly in writing that forwards a historical analysis.
• Use disciplinary standards (Chicago Style) of documentation when referencing historical sources.

Exercise science is the study of how the human body responds and adapts to exercise. In practice, exercise scientists are responsible for designing and implementing exercise programs for a wide breadth of populations. They work to improve the health and performance of individuals by conducting physiological assessments and using that information to design effective exercise programs. In addition, exercise science is a terrific undergraduate-level foundation for students looking to pursue graduate school in an allied health care field.

Exercise science students have the opportunity to match their area of interest with one of two concentrations within the major. Hence all students must select either: 1) The Exercise for Health Promotion Concentration, or 2) The Strength and Conditioning Concentration. All majors take the set amount of core courses before branching off into their concentration.

Exercise for Health Promotion Concentration
Students who pursue this concentration enjoy working with the general population and/or have an interest in clinical exercise science, such as cardiac rehabilitation. This concentration is designed to prepare students to sit for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Exercise Physiologist Exam.

Strength and Conditioning Concentration
Students who pursue this concentration enjoy working with athletes and have a strong interest in resistance training. This concentration is designed to prepare students to sit for the National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam.

Student Learning Outcomes:

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

• The student will be able to describe the core principles of exercise physiology and related exercise science for the general population.
• The student will be able to independently evaluate the five components of fitness of a client and then design an appropriate, safe, and effective training program to meet the client's needs.
• The student will identify the principles of clinical exercise physiology, as well as describe the pathophysiology of disease and their associated risk factors.
• The student will describe the principles of nutrition and physical activity behavior change in order to promote healthful living.
• The student will identify and explain the issues of safety, injury prevention, emergency procedures and program administration related to exercise program development and implementation.
• The student will apply the principles of exercise science in a practical learning environment.
• The student will describe the ethical demands/challenges of the exercise science related professions and the human/social context in which graduates will work.
• As a result of preparation by our curriculum, students will be prepared for, and participate in, a national credentialing exam (i.e. ACSM HFS, NSCA CSCS, etc.).
• Our undergraduates will complete their B.S. degree in Exercise Science and will be employed and/or accepted to graduate school within a year of graduation.

This major is designed to prepare students for initial certification (single certification) as a Spanish teacher for grades 7-12 with extension to teach in grades 5 and 6. As with all other undergraduate degrees, students in this major must also complete the General Education program requirements. Students who plan their schedules carefully and take courses that count for general education as well as the major or teacher certification requirements may be able to also pursue a minor or participate in a study abroad program in a Spanish-speaking country. Students may have the opportunity to student teach in Alaska or abroad.

What You’ll Learn

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

• Narrate and describe using a variety of time frames, extended discourse, and specialized vocabulary.
• Deliver oral presentations on a wide variety of topics, using a variety of strategies to tailor the presentation to the needs of their audience.
• Narrate and describe in all major time frames with good control of aspect and a range of general vocabulary in writing for personal and professional needs.
• Identify the main facts and many supporting details in conventional narrative and descriptive oral texts.
• Identify some of the essential points of argumentative texts in areas of special interest or knowledge.
• Explain key perspectives of some Spanish-speaking cultures within a comparative framework and connect them to cultural products and practices.
• Interpret and synthesize ideas and critical issues from a wide range of historical and contemporary cultural artifacts

This dual certification major is designed to prepare students for initial certification in both Biology and Student with Disabilities (SWD)-Generalist in grades 7 to 12, with extension to teach Biology in grades 5 and 6. In addition, this major prepares students for the Content Specialty Tests (CSTs) required for the dual certification.

The major in Biology Adolescence Inclusive (7-12) Education with Grades 5 and 6 Extension includes 43 credits of EDI (Education and Human Development), and 57-58 credits to complete the Biology Content Core. This curriculum meets the requirements for initial dual certification as outlined by The New York State Education Department (SED) for Adolescent Education (grades 5 through 12).

What You’ll Learn

This dual certification major is designed to prepare students for initial certification in both Biology and Student with Disabilities (SWD)-Generalist in grades 7-12 with extension to teach Biology in grades 5-6.

In addition, this major prepares students for the Content Specialty Tests (CSTs) required for the dual certification.