Requirements per Department

Click on a link to find out more laptop requirements for each department:

Department of Cinema, Photography, and Media Arts
Documentary Studies and Production
Department of Journalism
Department of Strategic Communication
Department of Television-Radio

Department of Cinema, Photography, and Media Arts Requirements

The Cinema, Photography, and Media Arts Department requires that all students in the department's B.S. and B.F.A. degrees possess laptop computers.  The exact minimum specifications (hardware and software) vary among concentrations and are listed below. 

Regarding the choice between a PC vs. an Apple Mac computer, media production professionals tend to favor the Mac. Accordingly, at Ithaca College, the still photo and film editing labs are all on the Mac platform. Increasingly, professional film production requires a laptop on set, and that is also usually a Mac. The absolute bottom line is that cinema production concentrators will need a MacBook Pro. (This is because the editing software, Final Cut, is for the Mac only.) Screenwriting students may use a PC or a Mac. Still photography concentrators may elect a PC or a Mac, although a Mac is preferable.

Additional hardware (external drive or SD reader cards) and software (ProTools or Final Cut) may be required once a student enters a concentration.

Note that substantial discounts on software are available to students. Therefore, it is advised that you wait to make any software purchases until you can verify your status as a matriculated college student.

Specifications by Concentration

Cinema Production:
A MacBook Pro with Final Cut software

Screenwriting:
While screenwriting concentrators are required to take two production courses, Introduction to Photography and Cinema Production 1, these students do not need a MacBook Pro.

While some of the labs in Park have Final Draft, a screenplay formatting software, many students buy it for themselves or, increasingly, use Celtx, a free screenwriting program. While not as complete as Final Draft, it is adequate as a starting point. Final Draft and Celtx are available on both Mac and Windows platforms.

Still Photography
A MacBook Pro is not required to complete the still photography concentration, but if students are planning to purchase a computer, a Mac is recommended. Students may elect to purchase a copy of Adobe's CS software, that includes Photoshop.

Department of Journalism Requirements

A MacBook Pro is required. Additional software will be required at the course professor’s discretion.

Documentary Studies and Production

Because majors enroll in courses throughout the departments of the Park School, the major requires a MacBook Pro computer with iLife suite and Microsoft Office. Students will edit video on Final Cut, which is for the Mac only, but we recommend that you wait to add Final Cut software until requested by a professor of a course as newer versions are frequently added.

Department of Strategic Communication

The Department of Strategic Communication strongly recommends that communication management and design and integrated marketing communications majors own a full-sized modern laptop (not a "netbook") with Microsoft Office installed. If a student is interested in pursuing a career path in a creative field, we recommend a Macintosh, with the additional purchase of Adobe Creative Suite Design Premium (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Dreamweaver). If a student is interested in pursuing a marketing or management career path, we recommend a Windows PC.

Department of Television-Radio Requirements

The Department of Television-Radio requires that all students bring laptop computers for use during their degree studies. The exact minimum specifications (hardware and software) may vary among concentrations and are listed below. To maintain the maximum flexibility in your concentration choices within the TV-R department, it is recommended that, if purchasing a computer for college, you select a MacBook Pro. If you already have a laptop and it is not a MacBook Pro, you can bring that and wait until you begin coursework in your concentration before making any computer changes.

Additional hardware (external drive or SD reader cards) and software (ProTools or Final Cut) may be required for your concentration or minor.  These additional items work with the MacBook Pro.

Specifications by Concentration

Video Production and Documentary Production Concentrations

• MacBook Pro running current operating system
• External Drive with Firewire and 7200rpm (USB connection not recommended, much slower).
• SDHC Class 6 cards + reader for JVC GY cameras (available through Department Assistant)
• Final Cut Pro 7 editing software if available

Audio Production Concentration and Minor

• MacBook Pro running current operating system
• ProTools 

Scriptwriting and International Communications Concentrations and Minors

• Either PC or Mac laptop with Microsoft Office.

Note: A PC laptop is acceptable for the scriptwriting and international communications concentrations, but if you switch to another concentration, you will be required, as a condition of the change, to obtain the required hardware and software for that concentration.