NESCom Certificates

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In our rapidly-evolving, knowledge-based economy, workers are struggling to keep up with the latest technologies and skills. These challenging certificate programs teach skills that are directly transferable to the workplace or as credits toward a degree at Husson University. Students who are currently enrolled in a degree program at Husson can add a certificate to their credentials as well. Hands-on classes offer high-level training in the most current industry practices and emphasize learning by doing.  Instructors are respected professionals currently working in the field. You may choose from the following options of certificates at the New England School of Communications:

3D Modeling and Motion Design

The 3D Modeling & Motion Design Certificate is an interdisciplinary certificate appealing to those interested in graphic design, visual design, web design, video, and extended reality. Students will create three-dimensional assets used in video games, special effects, and entertainment. By emphasizing narrative, students will learn to tell stories in motion using compositing, keyframes, timelines, looping, motion tweening, basic scripting, and visual effects.

After completing the 3D Modeling & Motion Design Certificate students will be able to:

1. Research, conceptualize, refine ideas, and prototype as part of the creative process.
2. Demonstrate technical knowledge and competency with current design tools and technology.

Required Courses
GV 257 Animation and Motion Design I or VF 243 Video Compositing & Motion Graphics I
GV 308 3D Modeling II
GV 357 Animation and Motion Design II or VF 342 Video Compositing & Motion Graphics II

Choose One from the following:
GV 108 2D - 3D Drafting Design
IT 311 Interaction Design
XR 292 Game Engines I

Advanced Live Sound Production

This certificate is designed for students who would like to complement their current skill set in audio engineering with the advanced skills of live sound that would allow them to further their career options. Courses will provide students with applicable skills in advanced sound reinforcement and speaker system technology. Students will also gain valuable experience working live events for NESCom Mobile Productions and with the Live Sound department.

Students enrolled in the B.S in Communications Technology - Live Sound Technology Program are not eligible for this certificate. Additionally, students enrolling in B.S. in Audio Engineering - Live Sound Production are eligible for this certificate.

Required Courses
AE 300 Technical Foundations of Audio Systems
AE 303 Sound Reinforcement Techniques II
AE 352 Speaker Systems: Design and Optimization
AE 353 Broadcast Audio Engineering
AE 354 Broadcast Audio Engineering Event Practicum

In order to progress in the Advanced Live Sound Production Certificate, a grade of C+ or higher must be achieved in all courses.

Advanced Music Production

This certificate is designed for students who would like to complement their current skill set in either live sound production or post-production with the advanced skills of music production that would allow them to further their career options. Courses will provide students with applicable skills in advanced mixing, recording, and music production techniques. Students will also gain valuable experience working recording events with other music production students in the NESCom audio studio with the video department.

Students enrolled in the B.S. in Audio Engineering - Music Production Production program are not eligible for this certificate.

Required Courses
AE 202 Intro to Music Production
AE 300 Technical Foundations of Audio Systems
AE 411 Music Engineering and Production

Choose Two from the following:
AE 301 Hybrid Mixing Techniques
AE 302 Electronic Music Technology
AE 311 Applications of Effective Recording
AE 314 Pro Tools II Music
AE 451 Advanced Music Engineering and Production

In order to progress to complete the Advanced Music Production Certificate, a grade of C+ or higher must be achieved in all courses.

Advanced Post Production

This certificate is designed for students who would like to complement their current skill set in either live sound production or music production with the advanced skills of post-production that would allow them to further their career options. Courses will provide students with the applicable skills in foley recording, dialogue recording, and field recording and amp; production techniques. Students will also gain valuable experience working video shoots, field productions, a film shoot with other post-production students and with the video department.

Students enrolled in the B.S. in Audio Engineering - Post Production program are not eligible for this certificate.

Required Courses
AE 221 AE Intro to Post Production
AE 300 Technical Foundations of Audio Systems
AE 421 Post Production

Choose Two from the following:
AE 301 Hybrid Mixing Techniques
AE 311 Applications of Effective Recording
AE 324 Pro Tools II Post
AE 402 Sound Design for Modern Media
AE 461 Advanced Post Production

In order to complete the Advanced Post Production Certificate, a grade of C+ or higher must be achieved in all courses.

Audio Engineering

This certificate is designed for students who would like to complement their current skill set, whether communications related or not, with the fundamental skills of audio engineering. Courses will provide students with a basic knowledge in audio vocabulary, careers, equipment, software, introductory recording and mixing, technology, and music production.

Students enrolled in the B.S. in Communications Technology -Live Sound Technology Program or B.S. in Communications Technology - Audio Engineering Program are not eligible for this certificate.

Required Courses
AE 100 Audio Engineering I
AE 101 Applied Audio Engineering I
AE 103 Intro to Live Sound Production
AE 104 Pro Tools I
AE 200 Audio Engineering II

Choose One of the following:
AE 201 Applied Audio Engineering II
AE 203 Sound Reinforcement Techniques I

In order to complete the Audio Engineering Certificate, a minimum grade of C+ must be achieved in all courses.

Communications Technology

Based upon the courses that comprise the NESCom Core, this certificate will serve as a knowledge & skills-oriented introduction into the world of Communications Technology.  The five courses comprising this certificate are chosen for their breadth of instruction as well as their diverse applications within the many communications career sectors.  Whether a student’s interest in the field is vocational or academic this certificate will provide a solid professionally-oriented context for the many disciplines within the communications industry.

This certificate is not available to matriculated NESCom students.

Digital and Social Media Marketing

The Certificate in Digital and Social Media Marketing provides students with knowledge of the online and social media marketplace and how to strategically leverage it for business success. Students learn the fundamentals of online marketing, how to develop and gain online insight and apply that knowledge to develop marketing messages and then produce digital content and deliverables. Students learn principles of inbound marketing, organic search engine marketing, website promotion, online advertising, and analytics and conversation tracking. Students will develop and execute an actionable plan for digital marketing of businesses as well as personal brands. This certificate is designed for students as well as working professionals in the field of advertising, public relations, marketing and small business.

Required Courses
IT 202 Web Design for Non-Majors
IT 211 Search Engine Marketing
MC 228 Digital Marketing Principles and Strategies
MC 322 Social Media Marketing

Choose One of the following:
BA 245 Marketing Fundamentals
MC 220 Introduction to Marketing

Candidates for the Digital and Social Media Marketing Certificate are required to complete a minimum of 15 semester credit hours and a cumulative grade point average of 2.0.

Extended Reality

This certificate program is designed for students who would like to expand their current skill set with proficiency in the emerging field of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Through this certificate program, you’ll learn the functional and philosophical foundation of AR and VR, while learning how to solve real-world problems by applying software and computer science theory to design and create solutions.

Required Courses
GV 177 Augmented and Virtual Reality I
GV 277 Augmented and Virtual Reality II
IT 265 Introduction to App Development
IT 366 Programming Principles for Augmented Reality

Filmmaking Technique

Through this program, you'll learn the unique characteristics of filmmaking and storytelling, in both the planning and the artistic development of production. These skills can be applied to filmmaking, live production, documentaries and commercials, preparing you to build a career in this exciting industry

Candidates for the Filmmaking Technique Certificate must complete at least fifteen (15) credit hours with a minimum 2.0 GPA.

* This certificate is not available to Video / Film Production majors

Required Courses
EH 312 Film as Literature*
VF 135 Scriptwriting*
VF 248 Filmmaking Development and Pre-production*

Select Two of the following:
FA 220 Introduction to Cartooning and Storyboarding
MC 347 Photojournalism
VF 105 Video Production I*
VF 315 Cinematography
VF 338 Camera in Motion*

*In order to progress in the Filmmaking Technique Certificate, a grade of C+ or higher must be achieved.
 

Fundamentals of Video Production

This certificate is designed for students who would like to complement their current skill set, whether communications related or not, with the fundamental skills of video production. Courses will provide students with a basic knowledge in video vocabulary, careers, equipment, software, broadcast and studio production.

These courses can be applied towards a B.S. degree at Husson University in any appropriately related field, as a way to augment a student's current degree and provide for the diverse challenges found in the many career opportunities within the communications industry.

Candidates for the Fundamentals of Video Production Certificate must complete at least fifteen (15) semester credit hours with a minimum 2.0 GPA.

* This certificate is not available to Video / Film Production majors

Required Courses
VF 100 Intro to Video Production*
VF 105 Video Production I*
VF 243 Video Compositing and Motion Graphics I
VF 224 TV Studio/Remote Production I*

Select One of the following:
AE 103 Intro to Live Sound Production
VF 135 Scriptwriting
VF 205 Video Production II
VF 245 Photography I
EP 131 Fundamentals of Stage Lighting
FA 240 History of Photography
IT 121 Computer Applications for Digital Media
IT 202 Web Design for Non-Majors
MC 114 Intro to News Reporting
MC 322 Social Media Marketing
GV 245 Graphic Design I 

*In order to progress in the Fundamentals of Video Production Certificate, a grade of C+ or higher must be achieved in this course.

Graphic Design

Society has become more reliant on visual communication and as a result Graphic Design has become a critical element in many fields. The Graphic Design Certificate spotlights the design process and how to develop a piece from concept to delivery. Students will learn the elements of and how to design posters, packages, publications, exhibitions, information displays and web pages using contemporary technical skills and industry standard software. These studio courses provide students with practical experience in design across multiple design disciplines and media. Students will develop a portfolio that demonstrates their design skill and knowledge.

These courses can be applied towards a B.S. degree at Husson University in any appropriately related field, as a way to augment a student’s current degree or for a professional interested in advancing their skill set or exploring a new career field. 

Candidates for the Graphic Design Certificate are required to complete a minimum of 15 semester credit hours and a cumulative grade point average of 2.0.

Core Courses
GV 245 Graphic Design I
GV 248 Typography
GV 329 Digital Illustration
GV 335 Graphic Design II

Choose One of the following:
BR 120 Art and Design Foundations
FA 120 Drawing I
IT 202 Web Design for Non-Majors
IT 207 Web Design-Content Layer
IT 223 User Experience Design
VF 245 Photography I

Marketing Communications

The Certificate in Marketing Communications is designed for those students, including international students, who want exposure to the creative side of business known as Marketing Communications. Topics covered include an overview of public relations, advertising, graphic design, and social media marketing. Students learn to develop and leverage customer insight and apply that knowledge to develop the marketing message and then, produce creative content and deliverables. For international students, the curriculum can be completed in a single semester. 

Required Courses
GV 245 Graphic Design I
MC 116 Intro to Public Relations
MC 322 Social Media Marketing

Choose One of the following:
BA 421 Integrated Marketing Communications
MC 216 Principles of Advertising

Choose One of the following:
BA 245 Marketing Fundamentals
MC 220 Introduction to Marketing

Candidates for the Marketing Communications Certificate are required to complete a minimum of 15 semester credit hours and a cumulative grade point average of 2.0.

Photography

Photography has seen significant changes over the last ten years. The incorporation of sensor technology, which displaced film is the most obvious, but not the most significant. The most substantial displacement occurred fueled by social media and its integration with smart phones. Applications were created to bypass the disciplines associated with traditional photography. The photography certificate is designed to reestablish a link to traditional fundamental photographic practices, while embracing relevant technological advancements.

Students in the more obvious visual arts fields like video, marketing, and journalism can benefit from this certificate, as well as those in entertainment production, criminology, and others. The assemblage of the courses within this certificate provides historical perspective, compositional aesthetics, lighting, and lens perspective, which are all still relevant. Students who successfully complete this certificate will have a distinct and identifiable skill, which will enhance their resume.

Core Courses
FA 240 History of Photography
VF 245 Photography I or FA 110 Photography
VF 345 Photography II
MC 347 Photojournalism

Choose One of the following:
CJ 221 Criminalistics
CJ 493 Forensic Seminar (4 Credits)
EP 131 Fundamentals of Stage Lighting
FA 205 Painting I
FA 210 Pastel Painting
GV 245 Graphic Design I
IT 202 Web Design for Non-Majors
IT 207 Web Design-Content Layer
VF 105 Video Production I 

Radio Broadcasting

Radio Broadcasting is a vibrant media outlet across the US and globally, but not all students can dedicate a full 4-year curriculum to study of the field. Students who work in radio broadcasting learn and cultivate communication skills and develop strong skills in media production. An ideal candidate is an outgoing student who wants to add performance and production media skills to their existing abilities. A Radio Broadcasting Certificate will train students on radio production and operational skills, including introduction to FCC rules and regulations, on-air performance as well as short and long form production.

These courses can be applied towards a B.S. degree at Husson University in any appropriately related field, as a way to augment a student’s current degree or for a professional interested in advancing their skill set or exploring a new career field. 

Required Courses
MC 102 Radio station Operations
MC 202 Advanced Radio Applications
MC 231 Radio Performance
MC 319 Media Marketing and Sales
MC 325 Radio Promotions

Candidates for the Radio Broadcasting Certificate are required to complete a minimum of 15 semester credit hours and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0.

User Experience (UX) Design

Students in this undergraduate certificate program will learn how to create products that provide a meaningful experience to end users through the application of user experience (UX) principles.

This interdisciplinary certificate includes courses in graphic/visual design, integrated technology (including software development and web design and development) and marketing communications.

Credits from this undergraduate certificate can be applied to a degree at Husson University, enhance a degree in another discipline or augment prior learning to provide for a change in career.

Required courses:
GV 145 - Design Thinking and Innovation
GV 323 - Advanced UX Design
IT 223 - User Experience Design
MC 338 - Communication Research Methods

Choose one of the following:
IT 110 - Data Exploration and Visualization
GV 245 - Graphic Design I
IT 202 - Web Design for Non-Majors
IT 208 - Web Design and Development
IT 311 - Interactive Web Design I