| Department: | Department of Performing Arts and Mass Communication / College of Liberal and Performing Arts |
| Hours Required: | 120 |
| Categories: | Major, Minor, Undergraduate |
| Delivery: | On-Campus |
The degree in mass media focuses on communicating through print and electronic media. Courses in the mass media program are taught on campus by highly-qualified faculty members. Students are educated in areas including, but not limited to, the media, public relations, internet communication, and the relationship between politics and the media. Students who complete the mass media program will be well-suited for a number of exciting careers. Career options may include print journalist, broadcast journalist, public relations manager, political media consultant, freelance writer, or many others.
Practical experience
SAU’s student newspaper The Bray, is the perfect place for students majoring in mass media to gain practical experience. Focusing almost exclusively on electronic publication, The Bray utilizes the latest technology to provide students with a real-life work experience. Students receive compensation for their work with The Bray through work study programs.
Learning Goals
- Mass Communication students use oral, written, and visual communication effectively in the medium specific to their field.
- Mass communication students understand the place and importance of mass media in terms of its social, cultural, and ethical impact.
- Mass Communication students can critically analyze textual, visual, and aural informational elements pertaining to mass media, communicate these written or orally, and then design a plan of action to execute them.
- After proper analytical techniques, Mass Media students communicate information to audiences of all types.
- Mass Media students learn practical skills of mass media through hands on training, and the use of tools and technology related to Mass Media.
The bachelor of arts degree in mass media requires a total of 120 hours. Courses in this program include the following:
- Principles of Public Relations
- Internet Communication
- Publicity, Media and Campaigns
- International Mass Media
- Reporting and Writing for the Mass Media
- Media Law and Ethics
- Basic Digital Photography
University Requirement – 2 hours
GSTD 1002 Freshman Seminar
General Education – 35 hours (ENGL 2213 World Literature I is required.)
Mass Communication – 15 hours
DC 2333 Fundamentals of Digital Cinema
MCOM 1003 Introduction to mass Communication
MCOM 2133 Basic Digital Photography
MCOM 4003 Media Law and Ethics
MM 2003 Reporting and Writing for the Mass Media
Mass Media – 21 hours
MM 3103 Principles of Public Relations
MM 3123 Internet Communication
MM 4013 Publicity, Media and Campaigns
MM 4123 International Mass Media
9 hours of upper level Mass Media Electives
Other Requirements (18 Hours)
ENGL 2223 – World Literature II
MM 4903 – Senior Research Project
PSYC 2003 – General Psychology
SPCH 1113 – Introduction to Public Speaking
3 hours selected from the following:
MCOM 3363 – Advanced Digital Photography
SPCH 3123 – Advanced Public Speaking
3 hours selected from the following:
MKTG 3033 – Principles of Marketing
PSCI 3033 – American Political Parties
PSCI 3113 – Western Thought
PSCI 3243 – Modern American Politics
Foreign Language Option (6 Hours)
6 hours of Sophopmore-level Foreign Language
OR
ENGL 3003 – Advanced Professional Writing or ENGL 3103 – Advanced Composition
with 3 hours of upper-level Humanities (ART, ENGL, HIST, PHIL, PSCI)
Additional Information
Students may choose to complete a minor area in consultation with their advisor.
If a student does not choose to complete a minor, the student may need to complete additional elective hours to reach the required 120 total hours.
Depending upon the chosen minor, the student may need additional upper-level hours to complete the required 40 junior/senior hours.
Minor Requirements:
Minor in Mass Communication – 18 hours
MCOM 4003 Media Law and Ethics
MM 2003 Reporting and Writing for the Mass Media
MM 3103 Principles of Public Relations
MM 4013 Publicity, Media and Campaigns
6 hours of upper level Mass Media electives
