Media Studies, B.A. (L) or (E, L)*

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Advertising Concentration
Journalism Concentration

Media Production Concentration

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 Media Production.

REAL Curriculum

The Advertising concentration fulfills the L area of the REAL Curriculum. It 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.

The Journalism concentration also fulfills the L area of the REAL Curriculum. It 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. In the course of their journalistic academic career, students acquire and apply the professional knowledge and skills they need to build an identity as competent media professionals.

The Media Production concentration fulfills the E and L areas of the REAL Curriculum. Through knowledge attained in this concentration, students will identify the skills and standards required for success in the field of media production and create projects that meet those standards and showcase those skills. As students progress through the concentration and learn more about professional expectations for various careers in media, they will be able to identify how to build on the skills they have attained through their production work to prepare themselves for careers in media production.

REAL Foundational Requirements

Foundational Writing (3 Credits)

ENGL 111 - Principles of College Composition (GE)

Foundational Math (3 credits)

REAL Cornerstone Requirements

Writing Intensive (WI) Courses (6 credits)

Writing Intensive courses are denoted below with a (WI). Two writing intensive courses are required to graduate, with at least one at the 300- or 400-level. The Media Studies major includes 0-6 credits of writing intensive courses.

General Education Requirements

General Education courses will be denoted below with a (GE). Students are required to take at least 30 credit hours of general education designated courses within their degree requirements. The Media Studies major includes 0-3 general education credits.

Major Requirements (51-53 credits)

B.A. Requirements (6-8 credits)

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

Required Major Courses (9 credits)

Courses with a COMS prefix must be completed with a “C” or higher.

Concentrations

Advertising Concentration (36 credits)

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.

Required Courses (30 credits)

Students must complete COMS 223 with a grade of “C” or higher.

Electives (6 credits)

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

Journalism Concentration (36 credits)

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.

Required Courses (27 credits)

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.

Media Production Concentration (36 credits)

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

Required Courses (30 credits)

Students must complete COMS 246 and COMS 247 with a grade of “C” or higher.

Electives (6 credits)

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

Additional Degree 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.

Open Credit Hours (67-69 credits)

These credits can be used to fulfill additional courses, majors, minors, and/or REAL Curriculum requirements, including Foundational Writing and Foundational Math.

Total Credits Needed for Degree 120

Additional Information

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.