Program: Media Studies, B.A. - Radford University

Media Studies Major

The Media Studies Major is designed for students with an interest in media or other related communication fields. Majors may earn either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree and, in addition to core courses, must select one of four concentrations: Advertising, Journalism, Production Technology, or Web Design.

Students are encouraged to select one of the concentrations no later than the second semester of their sophomore year.

All majors in Media Studies must complete: 1) 43-45 hours of Core Curriculum requirements; 2) the 6 to 8-hour B.S. requirement or the 6 to 12-hour B.A. requirement; 3) 6 hours of the School of Communication Core Requirements and 36 hours of a concentration in Advertising, Journalism, or Production Technology, or 37 hours of a concentration in Web Design for a total of 42-43 hours in the School of Communication; and 4) elective courses for a total of 120 hours. Students are encouraged to take 300-level and above courses for their electives. A minor is strongly recommended.

Core Curriculum Requirements (43-45 credits)

In College Core B , all majors in programs in the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences are required to pass a second course in Social and Behavioral Sciences; i.e., CHBS majors cannot fulfill College Core B requirements with a Health and Wellness course.

B.A. Requirements (6-12 credits)

The Bachelor of Arts degree requires completion of the B.A. language requirements described in this catalog.

Concentrations

Advertising Concentration

The Advertising Concentration prepares students for positions in advertising by providing both theoretical and aesthetic elements as well as skills in the production of advertisements in a variety of media.

Total required hours for the concentration (36 credits)

Required Courses (30 credits)

Note(s):

*All Advertising students must earn at least three hours of COMS 483 - Advertising Campaigns . In addition, they must earn another three hours in an internship and/or a second Advertising Campaigns course.

Choose two of the following (6 credits)

Recommended Courses Outside Major:

Journalism Concentration

The Journalism Concentration prepares students for careers in researching, writing, preparing and disseminating public information though conventional and digitally-transmitted media, including newspapers, magazines, the Internet, radio, television, and cable.

Total required hours for the concentration (36 credits)

Required Courses (30 credits)

Choose two of the following (6 credits)

Production Technology Concentration

The Production Technology Concentration prepares students for positions in creative production in corporate, industrial and professional environments, utilizing the Web, multimedia, radio, television, and field production.

Total required hours for the concentration (36 credits)

Required Courses (30 credits)

Choose two of the following (6 credits)

Recommended Courses Outside Major

Some of which may satisfy Core Curriculum requirements:

Web Design Concentration

The Web Design Concentration prepares students to pursue careers involving the creation of news, information, entertainment, and other content for the Web and related interactive media.

Total required hours for the concentration (37 credits)

Required courses (31 credits)

Note(s):

*Suggested electives include: COMS 346 - Electronic Field Production ; COMS 347 - Video Editing and Effects ; COMS 445 - Advanced Audio Production , COMS 446 - TV Studio Production . Web design students may earn additional hours of elective credit towards the degree through additional practicum hours (maximum of six hours after taking the three required credit hours) or through an internship (1-6 credit hours).