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 three concentrations: Advertising, Journalism, or Production Technology.

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 University Core Curriculum requirements; 2) the 6 to 8-hour B.S. requirement or the 6 to 8-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; and 4) elective courses for a total of 120 hours. Students must take 300-level and above courses for at least 6-credits of their media studies 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 (6-8 credits)

The Bachelor of Arts degree requires completion of the B.A. language requirements described here .

School of Communication Core (6 credits)

Students in the School of Communication must complete these two courses with a grade of “C” or higher.

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)

(STAT 130 or STAT 200 is a required course but can be counted toward College Core B, Additional Mathematical or Natural Science, or the BS degree requirements).

Note:

*Advertising concentration students must complete COMS 223 with a grade of “C” or higher.

**Students wishing to complete an internship must have a 2.0 GPA in the major and must apply and interview for the privilege of participating in an internship experience.

Electives (6 credits)

Choose 6 credit hours of elective credits from School of Communication courses at the 300 or 400 level.

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 (27 credits)

(STAT 130 or STAT 200 is a required course but can be counted toward College Core B, Additional Mathematical or Natural Science, or the BS degree requirements).

Note:

*Journalism concentration students must complete COMS 104 and COMS 204 with a grade of “C” or higher.

Electives (9 credits)

Choose 9 credit hours of elective credits from School of Communication courses. Six (6) of these credit hours must be at the 300 or 400 level.

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 (27 credits)

(STAT 130 or STAT 200 is a required course but can be counted toward College Core B, Additional Mathematical or Natural Science, or the BS degree requirements).

Note:

*Production Technology concentration students must complete COMS 246 and COMS 247 with a grade of “C” or higher.

Electives (9 credits)

Choose 9 credit hours of elective credits from School of Communication courses. Six (6) of these credit hours must be at the 300 or 400 level.

Recommended Courses Outside Major

Some of which may satisfy Core Curriculum requirements:

Graduation Requirements

To graduate with a major in Media Studies, a student must have a grade point average of 2.25 or higher for all courses taken with a COMS prefix.