The Pre-College Summer Program (PC) is an exciting opportunity for qualified students interested in the creative and media arts to earn up to six (6) college credits. The program offers undergraduate courses in Audio, Music, Media, Business, Performing and Visual Arts, and is open to high school students entering grades 10, 11 or 12 as of the Fall 2026. Students entering the 11th and 12th grades can earn college credits.

• This six-week program provides students with an insider’s look to college life. Courses are taught by distinguished faculty and artists who provide individualized attention and are pleased to share content area expertise In small group settings.
• At the conclusion of the program, students and family are invited to attend the culminating event, The Sights and Sounds of Summer 2026, which showcases student performances, exhibitions, and includes a luncheon.

Explore what you love, make friends, earn college credit and have fun!!!

DIGITAL MUSIC PRODUCTION I

AUD100* Digital Music Production (3 credits)
MONDAY-THURSDAY 9:30-11:30 AM  & 12:30-2:30 PM

This course will provide hands-on activities for beginner and intermediate level students interested in audio recording production. Using Pro Tools industry standard software, students will make actual sound recordings. Principles of recording and mixing music will be the primary focus for students. Course content will include an introduction to microphone principles and placement, MIDI applications, and non- linear editing. During the audio recording techniques portion, students will explore phase alignment, dynamic processing, timbre enhancing EQ procedures, and Multi FX processing. Critical listening skills and hands-on learning work in tandem to develop individual engineering styles of professional recording.

* AUD100 will count as a free elective in the Five Towns College Degree programs that have free electives.

INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING

BUS175 Introduction to Social Media Marketing (3 credits)
MONDAY-THURSDAY 9:30-11:30 AM

This beginner-friendly course provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of social media marketing. Students will learn about the growing opportunities for jobs in social media and start to develop the skills they will need to work professionally in this fast-paced, changing industry.

Designed for aspiring marketers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners, the course covers key platforms like Facebook, lnstagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Pinterest. Participants will learn how to create engaging content, build brand presence, and develop data-driven strategies to reach and connect with target audiences.

Students will learn to distinguish between positive and negative aspects of social media; recognize and follow ethical practices when creating content and following copyright laws; examine current issues in the social media industry; and identify jobs and job skills for social media careers. By the end of the course, learners will be equipped with beginner actionable skills to build an effective social media presence, drive traffic, and achieve marketing goals.

CREATIVE BUSINESS PRACTICE

BUS100 Creative Business Practices (3 credits)
MONDAY-THURSDAY 12:30-2:30 PM

Have an idea for the next best thing? Through active learning, discussions, team projects, and presentations, students will challenge their creative ideas and tap into their entrepreneurial and leadership skills. Over the five-week session, students will participate in various team-building, brainstorming and hands-on activities.

Students will develop PowerPoints to use in their presentation of the “formal pitch” in support of moving their innovative ideas from concepts into reality.

Watch out “SHARK TANK”… here we come!

INTRODUCTION TO FILMMAKING

VID121 Introduction to Filmmaking (3 credits)
MONDAY-THURSDAY 9:30 -11:30 AM

Let your creativity shine and find your creative voice by making short films! Hone your filmmaking skills in this comprehensive film production course. Learn how to operate a Canon C-100 camera, handle professional lighting equipment, record field sound, and splice it all together by editing in Adobe Premiere Pro. Try out the various film crew positions (director, cinematographer, gaffer, camera assistant, sound, editor, etc.) by working in small crews.

Collaborate to write, shoot, and edit films together. Through a series of short film projects, students will put the fundamentals of filmmaking into practice. Exercises will guide students to develop skills in shot composition, continuity, and montage. Practice planning an action sequence shot list, shoot and edit a dialogue scene, and compose a scene where the mise-en-scene develops a theme or effect. The College’s professional film equipment will be available for use on campus. Students are encouraged to bring one personal portable hard drive 1TB or more. Films made in the course will be showcased at the Summer Scholars culminating event.

TELEVISION WORKSHOP

VID131 TV Workshop (3 credits)
MONDAY-THURSDAY 12:30 -2:30 PM

Step into a course where storytelling comes alive through the lens of a camera. In this class, you’ll discover how video can be used to share powerful information about people, ideas, and real-world processes. You’ll learn what makes a message clear and compelling on screen, and explore how professionals use video to showcase products, services, and creative concepts. Whether you’re interested in journalism, entertainment, marketing, or just create, this course will show you how visual communication shapes the way we understand the world.

You’ll also get hands-on experience with the tools and techniques used in multi-camera broadcast production. From lighting a scene to capturing crisp audio, you’ll practice the fundamentals that make a video look truly professional. You’ll take part in both studio and on-location shoots, learn the basics of editing, and rotate through real crew positions to understand how a production team works together. By the end, you won’t just watch videos differently—you’ll know how to create them with confidence and skill.

DIGITAL STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHY

VID146 Digital Studio Photography (3 credits)
MONDAY-THURSDAY 12:30 -2:30 PM

Discover how to see the world like a photographer as you learn the essential skills behind powerful imagery. In this course, you’ll get hands-on practice with exposure, composition, depth of field, and camera movement—all within a professional studio setting. You’ll explore how top tier photographers make creative choices to guide the viewer’s eye and shape the mood of a shot, transforming everyday scenes into compelling visual moments. Every photo you take becomes a chance to sharpen your instincts and develop your unique artistic voice.

With a focus on creating photos that carry narrative weight, you’ll practice turning the three-dimensional world into meaningful two-dimensional compositions for both still and motion picture cameras. By the end of the course, you’ll not only understand how images are made—you’ll understand how they speak.

DRAWING & IMAGING I 

IMA 115 – Drawing & Imaging I  (3 credits)
MONDAY-THURSDAY 9:30-11:30 AM

Learn to draw in a big way! Unleash your creativity and discover your voice through drawing. Students work in both traditional and digital media to create drawings based on observation, iteration, and abstraction. Working from still life, the figure, and landscape, drawing sessions are conducted in the drawing studio, the computer lab, and as weather permits, outdoors for an immersive and exploratory experience into large scale drawing. Digital drawing tools and Photoshop software complement and expand the creative process. At the end of the six-week summer session, student work will be exhibited at the Pre-College Summer Program culminating event. Supplies are required and will be listed in the course overview.

GAME DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT I

IMA 112 – Game Design & Development I  (3 credits)
MONDAY-THURSDAY 9:30-11:30 AM

Learn how to design and develop gameplay as well as graphical user interfaces to create your own video games! You will explore aspects of story writing, 2D art, 2D frame-by-frame animation, programming with visual scripting, music, as well as sound and visual effects. You will first learn to use the GameMaker game engine with GML Visual for visual scripting, as well as additional software to create a fun and interactive 2D Side­ Scrolling Platformer game. After, you will be introduced to the Unreal Engine 5 game engine with Blueprints for visual scripting, where you will create an introductory 3D Platformer game to enter the world of 3D game design and development!

INTERACTIVE COMPUTER GRAPHICS I

IMA 150 – Interactive Computer Graphics I (3 credits)
MONDAY-THURSDAY 12:30-2:30 PM

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of Interactive Computer Graphics through a visual, hands-on approach to programming designed for creative thinkers. Rather than starting with abstract theory, students immediately begin writing code that produces shapes, color, and dynamic visuals on screen, learning to “sketch” with code just as an artist sketches with pencil. Through layered experimentation and real-time feedback, students explore how images are built, how pixels behave, and how code can control form, motion, and interaction. This engaging process makes programming accessible and intuitive, helping students develop both technic.al confidence and artistic expression while building a strong foundation for future studies in digital art, game design, and interactive media.

DIGITAL MEDIA ART: DESIGN

MAC 280 – Digital Media Art: Design (3 credits)
MONDAY-THURSDAY 12:30-2:30 PM

Students will explore the core principles and elements of design, laying a solid groundwork for artistic expression. Students gain proficiency in industry-standard tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, ensuring hands-on experience with essential software. Moreover, the course addresses branding, UI/UX design and the critical aspects of copyright and design ethics, instilling a sense of responsibility in students as they navigate the creative field. Focusing on practical competencies, this course equips students with valuable insights and capabilities that are highly relevant in today’s digital landscape. Prepare for a future in digital media art and design by enrolling in this course and accessing a well-rounded education that combines theory and practical experience.

3D MODELING & ANIMATION I

IMA 110 – 3D Modeling & Animation I (3 credits)
MONDAY-THURSDAY 12:30-2:30 PM

Explore the dynamic world of 3D animation, a foundational course designed to provide students with essential skills in Modeling, Animating, Lighting and Texturing, forming the basis of their digital creative abilities.

This course introduces students to the core principles of 3D animation, helping them translate three-dimensional concepts onto a two-dimensional screen and create intricate 3D models. Through hands-on learning, students progress from mastering basic keyframe animation to advanced techniques and their application in 3D software. Additionally, students gain expertise in texture mapping, allowing them to enhance the realism of their custom 3D creations.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS

SPE101 Interpersonal Communications  (3 credits)
MONDAY-THURSDAY 9:30 -11:30 AM

Does learning about how humans use verbal and non-verbal cues to communicate and how it can affect your relationships sound Does learning about how humans use verbal and non-verbal cues to communicate and how it can affect your relationships sound interesting? Did you know that using communication properly can also influence health, happiness, and quality of life. This course will focus on the development of the interpersonal communication skills necessary for building and maintaining positive relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. Topics include verbal and non-verbal communication in relationships, managing conflict, as well as cultural and gender considerations.

GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY

PSY101 General Psychology (3 credits)
MONDAY-THURSDAY 12:30 -2:30 PM

Are you interested in studying the human mind and how it affects behavior? Does learning where our thoughts and memories come from or what emotions are sound intriguing? The human brain is a fascinating organ that plays a vital role in our everyday lives, and you can discover more about it in PSY1O1. Study how personalities, attitudes, and intelligence develop within our social system, as well as other topics, including learning, memory, perception, motivation, and therapy.

RADIO & TV BROADCASTING

MAC 101 Radio, TV, & Broadcasting (3 credits)
MONDAY-THURSDAY 9:30 -11:30 AM

If you like watching compelling videos and listening to podcasts, you’ll love creating them. Our broadcasting class includes sessions in our industry-standard TV and radio studios, video editing, and shooting with professional-level cameras. Discover how different types of media are made and distributed, from TV shows, to movies, social media, music and more. This class may require an off-campus class at the Great South Bay Music Festival in Patchogue, which would replace an on-campus meeting.

CONTEMPORARY A CAPELLA

ENS326 Choir (1 credit)
MONDAY-THURSDAY 9:30 -11:30 AM

This is a performance-focused course that provides an opportunity for high school musicians to gain experience and further their skills in advanced choral repertoire that requires a high level of musicianship, outstanding reading skills, and dedication to the choral art. Students who join this ensemble should expect a wide range of repertoire requiring vocal independence and strong musicianship. Focuses will be on balance, blend, and musical integrity as well as understanding the importance of working as a unified ensemble.

SONGWRITER’S WORKSHOP

MUS435 – Songwriters Workshop (1 credit)
MONDAY-THURSDAY 12:30 -2:30 PM

Take your original music to the “next level” by applying professional writing techniques to original music. Critical song analysis of songs written by today’s most successful songwriters. There will be individualized instruction in a group setting. You will be writing and recording “demo ready” songs on a deadline that would be ready to pitch to artists/labels/publishing companies and preparing songs for public performance.

THEATRE ARTS INTENSIVE

6 College Credits in Theatre
MONDAY-THURSDAY 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

This series of intensive classes gives the student a real taste of what it takes to train at the college-level in theatre. This immersive program showcases every class you could take as a future theatre arts major at a college or university, or as a performer in this competitive industry.

Designed for serious, actors, singers, dancers and technical theatre student, this audition-based intensive series of classes will allow you to earn 6 college credits, building technique, confidence and versatility. Once enrolled in the class, you will be contacted to arrange for an audition, where you will perform a monologue and sing a song.

The program will culminate a high-energy showcase, featuring musical numbers from Broadway shows, as well as contemporary and classical monologues. Students will participate in solo and group performances while gaining the needed skills and professionalism to standout in a competitive Musical Theatre and Acting program.

It’s more than summer intensive- It’s a head start on your future in the performing arts!

MUSIC

CONTEMPORARY ROCK BAND

MONDAY-THURSDAY 9:30 -11:30 AM

This course introduces students to the skills necessary to perform in a contemporary music ensemble. Students will learn fundamental and intermediate techniques through a rock band format using popular music that they help select. The curriculum emphasizes collaborative learning, improvisation, and an understanding of musical elements like rhythm, melody, and harmony in the context of modern genres including rock, pop, and R&B. Students will develop practical skills in rehearsal techniques, music technology, and performance, with the semester culminating in a live concert. This is an opportunity for students to develop professional musicianship skills in the music industry.

AUDIO RECORDING

BEAT MAKING, PRODUCTION & SOUND DESIGN

MONDAY-THURSDAY 12:30 -2:30 PM

This course is built for creators who want to take their skills beyond the basics, from hobbyist to professional-level. Students will dive deep into modern production workflows, explore complex drum programming, and advanced sampling techniques. Emphasis is placed on developing a person’s sonic identity, enabling learners to design sound from one waveform to sophisticated complex waveforms. Developing arrangement, mixing, and mastering strategies used by top producers today.

A major focus of the course is sound design, giving the students a hands-on experience with synthesizers, audio manipulation, and creative processing. In the guided projects, learners build original drum kits, sculpt signature synth patches, and design textures that elevate their musical ideas. Professional-level portfolio of industry-ready projects with technical confidence will be achieved by all enrolled students.

Pre-Collegiate Summer Program Special Events

The Five Towns College Office of Campus Events sponsors regularly scheduled co-curricular events and activities beyond the daily classroom schedule of the Pre-College Summer Program. These activities are open to all students participating in the Pre-College Summer Program, and are hosted at no additional charge. We provide students with a wide array of types of activities:

• Social events designed to help students develop connections with their peers such as icebreaker activities, board games and video games, ice cream socials, and arts & crafts.
• Academic Enrichment events that further explore topics/areas that are studied in the classes offered through the program, such as guest lectures, guided studio/lab time, and opportunities to plan and radio or broadcast through our Mass Communication studio spaces.
• Professional Development events that present students with topics focused on applying their classroom skills towards future job and career aspirations such as professional headshots, resume and cover letter writing, mock interviews, and job research skills.
• Students will be presented with a calendar of activities when they arrive for the first day of the program. Activities will be held during the break between morning and afternoon class sessions and/or after the conclusion of the afternoon class session.

Share your work with parents and friends!

Five Towns College hosts the Sights and Sounds of Summer, an event at the end of the program, filled with music and theatre performances, art exhibits, and film screenings that showcases students’ creative work. Pre-College Summer Program High School students’ and Five Towns College students’ work will be presented and exhibited. The event takes place on campus and all friends and family members are invited to attend. This is a fantastic day and always a hit!

Application Process: Complete the online application with your parent/guardian approval. If you are unable to submit it online, print the application and send it to Five Towns College, Pre-College Summer Program, 305 N. Service Road, Dix Hills, New York, 11746

College Credit: Juniors and Seniors entering the Fall 2026 year can earn up to 6 college credits.

Deadlines: The application can be submitted at any time. If submitted before or on March 15, 2026, you can receive a 50% discount on the second 3-credit course you register for.

Payment: Go to our Pre-College  Summer Program (PC) online application and select your course(s). Payment is due before March 15 to qualify for the 50% discount on the second 3-credit course. All other payments are due at the time of billing. The tuition is $600 for a 3-credit course.  After March 15, tuition for all 3-credit courses is $600. Payment can be made by credit card by calling the Business Office at 631-656-2115 or checks can be made payable to Five Towns College with the notation of Pre-College Summer Program, mailed to the Admissions Office, Five Towns College, 305 North Service Road, Dix Hills, New York ,11746.

Cancelation Policy: If you have paid in full and cannot attend, you will be charged a $50 cancellation fee upon the refund of your monies.

Letter of Recommendation: A letter or email from your Guidance Counselor or classroom teacher recommending you to the program is required within 30 days of applying.

Photo ID: All students must submit a headshot to jerry.cohen@ftc.edu  before classes begin. The photo will be used to create an individual student ID card which is to be carried at all times.

Musical Instruments: The student is responsible for providing and caring for their own musical instrument.

Transportation: You are responsible to provide for your own transportation to and from the College. The Suffolk County Bus S-23 comes to the campus, leaving from the Babylon LIRR Train Station, Wyandanch LIRR Train Station and the Walt Whitman Mall.

Lunch: Food is available on campus by placing money on your Student ID Card.

Additional Information: Contact Admissions at 631-656-2110 or 631-656-2102.