Academics

CURRICULUM

The curriculum and sequence of experiences for MECA students is based on an academic and professional road map that is developed collaboratively and regularly updated by MECA teachers, BMCC professors, and industry professionals. It is through this intense planning process that the school ensures all students are equipped with the skills and knowledge they will need to succeed in college and career.

As a result of this goal, the school emphasizes a curriculum where students experience real world learning and problem solving that is enriched by a variety of meaningful work experiences in advertising agencies and media firms across the city. These work experiences include mentoring, job shadowing, special seminars, internships, and apprenticeships.

Depending on their individual needs and interests, graduates will be prepared for immediate professional employment in media and advertising or will be supported in transferring to four-year colleges to continue their education.

MECA SCHEDULE

The base MECA schedule runs from 8:25 am – 2:45 pm. All students begin the day with a 30-minute advisory period. Following the advisory period, students have two 80-minute morning academic classes, lunch, and then two 80-minute afternoon academic classes. Everyday MECA offers a variety of after school activities including tutoring, clubs, special trips, and PSAL sports.

9th grade students follow the base MECA schedule.

10th grade students have an extended day until 4:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays when they take their first college classes.

11th grade students spend two mornings per week at BMCC taking college classes. Depending on the course, these classes can begin as early as 8:00 am. After their BMCC classes, students return to MECA.

12th grade students are based primarily at BMCC and take all of their classes on the college campus. They return to MECA for one afternoon per week in order to take PE and to receive college and career counseling.

Year 5 & 6 students split their time between BMCC, where they take classes toward their declared major, and a 25-hour per week paid internship. These students return to MECA once every two weeks for a check-in with the internship coordinator.

YEAR 1 COURSE OFFERINGS

First year courses concentrate on developing a strong foundation in literacy, math, discussion, and written & visual communication.

Most courses run for one semester, with the exception of Math and Visual Thinking.
Students take Regents exams in Math and Science.
Students begin their Career and Technical Education (CTE) sequence of courses. In the 9th grade, students take two CTE courses – Visual Thinking Lab and Introduction to Advertising and Media. In those courses, students learn:
- The principals and elements of design
- Drawing and color theory
- Microsoft Office with a focus on Word and Powerpoint
- The basics of advertising strategy and the creative process
- And more…
Students visit the BMCC campus for special events and to utilize the college’s resources such as science and robotics labs.
Students receive tutoring from BMCC honors society (Phi Theta Kappa) students.
Students receive their first of many work-based learning opportunities including taking many industry-related field trips including visits to some of the premier advertising and media agencies in the world. Students also participate in special advertising competitions and take a critical media literacy course taught by industry experts from The Lamp.
Students are eligible for special summer science courses at BMCC.

INSTRUCTIONAL FOCUS

Written Communication
Discussion
Purposeful Problem Solving

YEAR 2 COURSE OFFERINGS

BMCC COURSE OFFERINGS

Foundations of Speech
Health
Italian
Spanish

Second year courses focus on the development of student analytical skills and their ability to be critical consumers of information. In year two, MECA students take their first courses for college credit. They also continue their exploration of the advertising and media industry with a special seminar course co-taught by industry professionals.

Students take their first two college courses: Foundations of Speech, a public speaking and rhetoric course, and Health. College professors teach these courses on the MECA campus.
Students take four Regents: math, science, ELA, and Global History.
Students take the second year of the 4-year CTE sequence. During this year, students spend their time in our state-of-the-art MAC lab where they are introduced to the Adobe Creative Suite and work on projects for real clients.
Students take an Advertising immersion seminar that focuses on creative concept development.
Work-based learning opportunities include additional site visits, special speaker series, and job shadowing.
Students continue to receive academic support from near-peer tutors courtesy of the BMCC honors society.
Students take a 4-5 week summer immersion Foreign Language course at BMCC.

YEAR 3 COURSE OFFERINGS

BMCC COURSE OFFERINGS

Third year courses focus on the further development of students’ oral, written, and visual communication skills. In year 3, students split their time between the MECA high school campus and BMCC. Students also continue to engage in work-based learning projects and internships.

Students are offered the opportunity to take AP courses such as AP US History.
Students take two Regents exams: US History and math.
Students take 3 – 4 college courses at BMCC including Critical Thinking, Foundations of Digital Graphic Design, and Introduction to Business.
Students take the third year of the 4-year CTE sequence where they participate in a Media immersion seminar taught by industry professionals. The seminar focuses on merging creative and strategy in the development of a campaign. At the end of the year, students can become certified in the Adobe Creative Suite.
Work-based learning includes job shadowing at many of the top advertising and media firms in New York City, participation in Project ACT – an early career mentoring program, and summer internships for qualified students.
In the summer, MECA students begin working in Internships or take additional BMCC courses.

YEAR 4 COURSE OFFERINGS

English 12
Financial Literacy
Health
Physics
Physical Education

BMCC COURSE OFFERINGS

Students spend a majority of their time at BMCC where they continue the transition to independent college students. All students receive extensive college and career counseling. Students electing to remain for Years 5 & 6, in consultation with their families and MECA staff, determine which Associate’s Degree to pursue.

By the end of year 4, students will have completed 30 credits at BMCC, half of the requirements for their Associate’s Degree.
Students take specialized college course based on the field students decide to pursue and the remainder of their general education requirements.
Students complete the 4-year CTE sequence with students running a small in-house advertising agency that works on accounts for local community organizations and pro bono clients.
Work-based learning includes job shadowing at many of the top advertising and media firms in NYC and continued participation in Project ACT – an early career mentoring program.
Students not electing to continue their studies at BMCC are provided with comprehensive college counseling to help them find the right college for them.

YEAR 5 & 6 BMCC COURSE OFFERINGS

A.S. IN MULTIMEDIA PROGRAMMING

A.S. IN BUSINESS (ADVERTISING & MEDIA)

Students who elect to stay for years 5 and 6 split their time between BMCC where they complete their Associate’s Degree and working in a long-term paid internship at an Advertising or Media agency.

Students complete the final 30 credits to earn their Associate’s Degree.
Students learn side-by-side with industry professionals in 2-year paid internships. Internships placements are determined based on students’ area of interest.
Students take a bi-weekly work-based learning course that includes special seminars and workshops.
Students are paired with a recent college graduate working in the industry who becomes their mentor.
Students participate in a monthly lunch series with Senior Executives from select Advertising and Media agencies.

DEGREE OFFERINGS

A.S. IN BUSINESS (DIGITAL MARKETING)

Business Administration at BMCC is a two-year, 60-credit course of study leading to an A.A. degree. The coursework includes general liberal arts requirements as well as 12 credits in basic business. This program has been specifically designed to provide a strong liberal arts background to students planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business at a senior college.

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MULTIMEDIA ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY

The Media Arts and Technology (MEA) Department provides a dynamic education in the fast growing field of digital design and communication technology. From computer graphics to web design, and from programming for games and animation to storytelling in HD video, the MEA department offers a variety of courses and concentrations focused on the exciting future of media in the post digital age. MEA studies can lead students to positions in the film and television industry, electronic journalism, web design and development, audiovisual production, advertising design, game design, audio design, animation, and the entertainment industry.

The MEA Department combines extensive hands-on experience with theoretical coursework in a comprehensive academic program. MEA students work in a state-of-the-art digital environment in BMCC’s media labs, television studios, audio studio, and post-production laboratories.

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A.S. IN MULTIMEDIA PROGRAMMING AND DESIGN

The Multimedia Programming and Design Program prepares students for careers in a variety of “multimedia industries”, companies and institutions that develop, produce or market multimedia products, programs or services. The program instructs students in the design and programming of computer-based interactive products that incorporate text, graphics, sound,animation and video. It also develops different types of talent, both creative and technical,with the imperative that each understands the work of the other so that they can collaborate effectively. Students must complete a specialization in multimedia programming, art and design or video production in addition to the general and core requirements.

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A.S. IN ANIMATION AND MOTION GRAPHICS

The Animation and Motion Graphics program provides students with the fundamentals of two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) animation, motion graphics, and special effects. Once necessarily hand-made, expensive and rare, animation has undergone a technical transformation and is now a ubiquitous part of special effect, advertising campaigns, video games, movies, and television.

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A.S. IN VIDEO ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY

The Video Arts and Technology Program provides a dynamic education in video, audio and television production. The program prepares students for positions in the entertainment industry, electronic journalism, audiovisual production companies, broadcast and cable networks, and corporate communications departments. It combines extensive hands-on experience with theoretical coursework in a comprehensive academic program.

VAT students work in a digital environment in BMCC’s state of the art television studios, audio studio, and postproduction laboratories. Students learn the entire process for creating professional video and audio programs from writing a script and creating a budget, to shooting a scene and editing a final cut. All VAT students do an internship at a professional media facility.

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