Media Communications & Technology

Our flagship Applied Media Communications (AAS) degree prepares students for careers in today’s media industries through project-based learning in professional studios and labs.

This two-year career-focused degree is unique among media programs nationwide: it offers both immediate career readiness and a clear, seamless pathway into bachelor’s programs.

Students can transfer into UC’s bachelor’s degrees in CCM Media Production, DAAP/A&S Games & Animation, or A&S Digital Media.

Starting at UC Blue Ash provides the same University of Cincinnati quality at up to 40% lower tuition, making it a smart and affordable place to begin a creative career!

Applied Media Communications is an Associate of Applied Science degree that prepares students for careers in media through hands-on training in video, photography, audio, web, design, animation, and multimedia storytelling.

Our dual-purpose model means graduates can start working in as little as two years or transfer seamlessly into bachelor’s degrees in CCM, DAAP/A&S Games & Animation, or A&S Digital Media.

Following a major renovation of Muntz Hall, the Media Communications & Technology Department operates in modern, purpose-built production facilities designed to mirror professional media environments. Every studio, lab, and collaborative space was engineered for hands-on creative work and continues to be updated with new technology and equipment.

Our facilities include:

• Television/Video Studio with lighting grid, control room, and multi-camera production capability.
• Photography Studio for still and motion imagery with interchangeable backdrops and lighting.
• Audio Studio & Media Lab featuring isolation booth, podcast consoles, and workstations.
• Media Circulation Office managing professional inventory of over 600 items of production gear.
• Private, soundproof student collaboration and post-production suites.

Our equipment fleet includes multiple cinema cameras including Canon C70, Canon C100, and Sony FX6 systems and a large pool of DSLR and mirrorless cameras with Canon RF/EF, Sony FE, and Nikon AF-S lenses. Students also use DJI gimbals, LED lighting kits, field recorders, shotgun and lavalier microphones, professional tripods, sliders, and stabilization gear.

Beyond mastering hardware, students receive comprehensive instruction in professional production software and digital workflows, including Adobe Creative Cloud and other industry-standard applications for editing, motion graphics, color grading, audio mixing, and web design. We embrace both the creative and technical sides of media production, ensuring graduates are fluent in the tools and techniques used by professionals across the industry.

The Media Communications & Technology faculty are award-winning professionals who bring expertise in film, television, animation, digital design, journalism, and emerging media. They model the polytechnic spirit of our department — blending creativity with applied technology to prepare students for success. Their mentorship is one of the strongest parts of the student experience. 

What is a Certificate?
A certificate is not a degree. It’s a shorter credential, usually completed in about one year, that helps you develop focused skills in a specific media area. Certificates can stand on their own as a quick way to build job-ready skills, or they can be added to the Applied Media Communications (AAS) degree as an extra specialization. Some students also use a certificate to explore a field before deciding whether to continue into a full degree. While a certificate is not equivalent to an associate or bachelor’s degree, it does appear on your UC transcript as an official credential.

Animation Certificate – For students interested in drawing, animation basics, and motion design. A great first step toward the AMEC Animation Track if you later decide to continue.

Media Criticism & Journalism Certificate – Ideal for students who want to strengthen writing, reporting, media analysis, and digital storytelling skills.