Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications: A Comprehensive Overview

The S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, commonly referred to as the Newhouse School, stands as the communications and journalism school of Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. It has a long-standing reputation as one of the nation’s top schools of communications. The school enrolls approximately 2,000 undergraduate students, 180 residential master’s degree students, 200 online master's degree students, and 15 doctoral degree candidates as of 2022. Undergraduate admissions are highly selective. The school has about 80 full-time faculty members and about 50 adjunct instructors.

History and Key Milestones

The genesis of the Newhouse School can be traced back to 1934 when it was established as the School of Journalism. However, Syracuse University's foray into communications education began even earlier. In 1932, Syracuse University became the first university in the nation to offer a college credit radio course. This pioneering spirit continued to shape the school's trajectory.

In 1964, a pivotal moment arrived with a $15 million gift from Samuel Irving "S. I." Newhouse Jr. This contribution led to the inauguration of the Newhouse Communications Complex, starting with Newhouse 1, an award-winning building designed by architect I. M. Pei, which housed the School of Journalism. President Lyndon B. Johnson dedicated the building, underscoring its significance.

The evolution continued in 1971 when the School of Journalism merged with the Department of Television-Radio, resulting in the current name: S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. A second building, Newhouse 2, was dedicated in 1974, with William S. Paley delivering the keynote address.

In 2003, the Newhouse School received a $15 million gift from the S. I. Newhouse Foundation and the Newhouse family to fund the construction of the third building in the Newhouse Communications Complex. The $31.6 million 74,000-square-foot modern structure, designed by the former Polshek Partnership, features the First Amendment etched in six-foot-high letters on its curving glass windows.

Read also: SU and the City

Leadership

The Newhouse School has seen several leaders guide its path. Donald E. Newhouse served as Interim Dean. In January 2020, Donald E. Mark J. Lodato was named Dean of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Academics and Programs

The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications offers programs of study that lead to the B.S. degree. Students enrolled in the dual program with the College of Arts and Sciences are granted the degree appropriate to the arts and sciences program of study, either the B.A. or the B.S. Students enrolled in the dual program with the School of Management or with the School of Information Studies also earn the B.S. degree.

The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications’ mission is to educate ethical, visionary communicators whose goal is to establish an open marketplace of ideas guided by the First Amendment using contemporary professional practices.

Undergraduate students at the Newhouse School have several academic requirements to fulfill. All work prepared for classes in the school must be written electronically. In addition to meeting all general University requirements for graduation, students must complete a minimum of 122 credits of coursework, of which 32 must be taken in residence at Syracuse University. All students except those in the Esports Communications & Management program must take a minimum of 39 credits in public communications courses. Esports Communications & Management students must complete a minimum of 126 credits of coursework. These students have a public communications core; maximum number of public communications coursework depends on the track of study chosen.

Students who are singly enrolled in the Newhouse School of Public Communications must satisfy the general requirements of the professional major program they are pursuing, including one additional skills course in foreign languages, quantitative skills, speech, or computer skills, and two writing intensive courses from an approved list. All courses fulfilling divisional requirements must be from the Divisional Lists included in the Newhouse School GuideBook.

Read also: History of Bird Library

To graduate, students must complete the requirements of one major plan of study in the Newhouse School of Public Communications. They must also complete a minor or an area of specialization comprising at least 18 credits in any school or college. In most cases, 12 of these credits must be in upper-division courses. This minor or area of specialization may include courses taken to fulfill requirements other than the major. A complete list of minors offered by Syracuse University can be found in the Undergraduate Course Catalog. Students must also complete enough credits in electives to total 122 credits, which are required for graduation. For most Newhouse majors, these electives may be taken in any school or college within the University. In addition, all students must complete two university-wide required courses: First Year Seminar (FYS 101) and a 3-credit Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility course (DEIA).

Students who are enrolled in the joint Esports Communications & Management joint major between the David B. Falk School of Sport and Human Dynamic and the S.I. must complete one course in natural science and mathematics, three courses in social sciences, and twenty-two credits of Liberal Arts electives.

Students dually enrolled in the Newhouse School of Public Communications and another school or college within the University must fulfill the degree requirements of both schools. Formal dual programs of study are available in cooperation with the College of Arts and Sciences, the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, the School of Information Studies, and the Martin J. Whitman School of Management.

Students must declare a major program of study before the end of the sophomore year. Students majoring in visual communications may need a minimum of five semesters on Main Campus to complete the major; other majors require a minimum of four semesters on Main Campus. Admission to the creative track in advertising is based upon a student receiving a grade of B+ or better in ADV 401 and upon a positive committee review of a portfolio. Students are admitted to the Bandier Program in Recording and Entertainment Industries and the Esports Communications & Management program through the first-year application for admission to the University. Students may apply for internal transfer into all majors in the Newhouse School; however, acceptance as an internal transfer does not guarantee access to limited enrollment programs (i.e., Bandier and Esports). Admission is based upon cumulative GPA, rigor of academic coursework taken at Syracuse University, engagement on and off campus, a writing sample and performance in two required courses.

To transfer into the School of Public Communications from another school or college of the University, the student must complete a minimum of 30 graded (not P/F) credits at SU before they are eligible for internal transfer. Students must also have earned a “B” or better in COM 107 (open to all students in the spring semester) and an approved writing course which includes WRT 105, WRT 109, ENL 211, or ENL 213,or an equivalent course, with a “B” grade. (AP and IB credits with acceptable scores may also fulfill this requirement.) In addition to completing the two required courses with a “B” grade or higher, to apply for intra-university transfer, students must submit: a writing assignment of no more than 500 words on a prompt to be determined each semester; a resume; and the name of one reference. Juniors (60+ credits completed) and seniors are ineligible to transfer. Students are admitted twice each year. Application deadlines are November 1 for spring and April 1 for fall. The Newhouse School accepts a maximum of 12 transfer credits in communications.

Global Opportunities

The Newhouse School provides various opportunities for students to broaden their horizons through international programs. London, a world center for communications, has a special appeal for public communications students. Syracuse London offers courses in advertising, communications law, television, radio and film, diversity in the media, and special topic courses. The programs offered abroad are intended for third-year students who have completed introductory courses. Public communications students who participate in the London program may take three or six credits in their major area of study.

Also, through Syracuse Abroad, the Newhouse School of Public Communications offers public communications courses in Madrid, Spain; and Strasbourg, France. In addition, students in Madrid may select from courses offered in anthropology, history, economics, political science, religion, psychology, history of art, sociology, management, sport management, science, math, Spanish language and literature, women’s and gender studies, and Latin American, Judaic, and Middle Eastern Studies. Those fluent in Spanish may do part of their coursework at the Autónoma University of Madrid. In Strasbourg, students may choose from courses in economics, history of art, French language and literature, history, philosophy, political science, and religion.

Newhouse courses on media and diversity are also offered at the SU Center in Santiago, Chile, and at the SU Center in Florence, Italy. Students who do not need to take a communications course during their semester abroad also have the option of studying in fall semesters in, Central Europe. Newhouse students can also participate in semester-long programs in English at Newhouse-exclusive partner communication schools in Stuttgart, Germany; Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Copenhagen and Aarhus, Denmark.

Domestic Programs

Beyond the main campus, Newhouse extends its reach with programs in key media hubs within the United States.

Newhouse D.C.

This one-semester Newhouse D.C. program offers a unique opportunity to pursue your education and professional development in our nation’s capital. You’ll gain hands-on professional experience as an intern at a top-level media company, take classes at the Syracuse University facility located at Dupont Circle, and build your network by engaging with accomplished professionals, many of them alumni who hold top roles in the communications industry.

Newhouse LA

Newhouse LA is an immersive professional development program that provides students with the opportunity to work as interns at a Los Angeles media company, while taking entertainment industry-related academic courses.

Newhouse NYC

Newhouse NYC provides students the opportunity to study for a semester in one of the most vibrant media centers in the world.

Facilities

The Newhouse School boasts a state-of-the-art, three-building complex designed to facilitate hands-on learning and innovation.

Newhouse 1

The S.I. Newhouse 1 contains administrative offices; digital news writing and editing laboratories with motion graphics, 3D animation, and research tools, such as SPSS and NVivo. Newhouse 1 also houses multimedia laboratories supporting digital imaging, video editing, and digital sound editing, an advertising/public relations campaigns laboratory, and the Bill Glavin Magazine Lab, a collaborative space for magazine writing and production. There is a large professional photography studio equipped with Profoto D4 strobe equipment and lighting attachments, as well as HDSLR cameras.

Newhouse 2

Newhouse 2 contains an extensive field-equipment facility (CAGE) that manages the school’s digital video cameras (HD and DSLR formats), lights, microphones, and other production accessories. Dick Clark Studios and Alan Gerry Innovation Center are located on the first two floors of Newhouse 2. This five-studio complex is supported by three control rooms, all equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Two large soundstages and two smaller flex studios can be configured for a variety of single and multicamera productions. The Gerry Innovation Center encourages students to experiment with new technologies including drones, large format interactive screens, Google watches and glasses, 360° cameras, and technology which supports the creation of virtual and augmented reality programming.

Newhouse 3

Newhouse 3 houses a 300-seat auditorium; a collaborative media suite in which students can build interactive web sites; executive education interactive classrooms; student lounges; spaces for media-related student activities; and a research center. A dining and social area connects all three buildings in the center of the complex.

Centers and Initiatives

The Newhouse School is home to several centers and initiatives that enhance the learning experience and promote innovation.

The Newhouse Center for Digital Media Entrepreneurship

The Newhouse Center for Digital Media Entrepreneurship provides courses, consulting, and connections to encourage Newhouse students to start businesses and to identify new career opportunities in a fast-changing media industry. The Center teaches digital media trends, business modeling, and the latest in venture development. The work of the center is reinforced through one-on-one coaching and supporting resources on- and off-campus including mentoring, team development, assistance with legal matters, funding, technology and management issues, and more. The Center is home to the Newhouse Startup Garage, a co-working space that connects student creators and startups with services and resources. Through internships and events (such as South by Southwest in Austin, and events with the start-up community in NYC), students are exposed to digital media startups and the start-up culture. In promoting digital media innovation and entrepreneurship, the Center also connects students to alumni and others who are innovating and changing the media industry.

The Newhouse Sports Media Center

The Newhouse Sports Media Center builds upon the Newhouse School’s long history and strengths in sports communications. The Center provides courses across the spectrum of media, such as, sports writing across platforms, sports reporting and anchoring, sports production, television play-by-play announcing, interviewing, as well as internship experiences in a variety of fields. The Center fosters student and alumni interaction and academic-industry partnerships. The Newhouse Sports Media Center sponsors special events and frequent guest lecturers on current sports issues. Television, Radio and Film Professor of Practice, Olivia Stomski, is the Center director.

The Newhouse Center for Global Engagement

The Newhouse Center for Global Engagement is dedicated to creating collaborative, ethical, globally engaged students and faculty through promoting internationalization at home, experiential learning abroad, globally minded research, industry partnerships, and globally strategic outlooks. The center features the global work of Newhouse students, faculty and staff while providing a hub for new initiatives and partnerships.

The Tully Center for Free Speech

The S.I. Newhouse School is the home of the Tully Center for Free Speech, which educates students and the public about the value of free speech, free press and the First Amendment. The Center annually presents the Free Speech Award to a journalist who has faced significant turmoil in performing journalism in the previous year. The Center sponsors educational programs and conducts research related to media law and free speech, serves as a clearinghouse on media law issues in New York State, and supports interdisciplinary work on free speech topics at Syracuse University.

The Weiss Center for Social Commerce

The Weiss Center was made possible in 2012 through the generosity of Syracuse University alums, Jim ‘87 and Audra Weiss ‘89. Jim is founder and Chairman of Real Chemistry, a global health innovation company headquartered in San Francisco with over 2,000 employees worldwide. The Center’s mission is to ensure SU students graduate with the cutting-edge skills needed to address the convergence of communications with “big data,” business analytics, digital technology and social media in the area of “social commerce.” Toward this end, the Center brings together marketing, communications, and digital experts from the industry with faculty and students; complements current course offerings with hands-on workshops and case studies; involves students in applied research projects for clients; and hosts internships at Real Chemistry and client offices across the United States.

Library Resources

Syracuse University Libraries support teaching, learning, and research at the S.I. Library collections in public communications cover advertising, broadcast and digital journali…

Reputation and Alumni Network

The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications is widely regarded as one of the nation’s top schools of communications. Engaged in industry partnerships and ongoing curricular development, the scope of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications reaches beyond the confines of the classroom. The Newhouse School claims a distinguished faculty with a broad range of expertise which is supplemented by visiting communications professionals, regularly bringing new experiences to the classroom. Students study in a modern, three-building complex, which houses multimedia labs, television and photography studios, and sound production and recording facilities. Students are supported in their professional development by the Tina Press and David Rubin Career Development Center which serves students who are engaged in public communications studies and helps them make professional connections and find internships, as well as professional positions. Upon graduation, students join the ranks of Newhouse alums, a large and robust group of communications professionals influencing all aspects of the industry.

Notable Alumni

The Newhouse School has produced a long list of successful alumni who have made significant contributions to their respective fields:

Marv Albert '63: Honored with the Marty Glickman Award.
Michael Barkann: Inducted into the Philly Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
Richard Benedetto: Prominent figure in journalism.
Jason Benetti: Calls games for the Chicago White Sox on ESPN.
Matthew Berkowitz: A key figure at Kidscreen Summit.
Carter Blackburn '01: Works for ESPN.
Ryan Burr: A talent at NBC Sports.
Joe Castiglione G'70: Honored as the Ford C. Frick Recipient for excellence in baseball broadcasting.
Sean McDonough: Announcer for CBS Sports college basketball.
Noah Eagle: Broadcaster for NBC Sports.

tags: #syracuse #university #newhouse #school #of #public