Mass Communications Major, BA

Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts degree requires successful completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours with an overall grade point average of at least 2.0 and at least a 2.5 average in mass communications courses. Degree candidates must have six credit hours in a foreign language at the elementary level and six credit hours in intermediate foreign language.

Students must achieve a grade of C or better in all Mass Communications courses. Core courses include: MCM – Intro to Mass Communications, MCM 3301 – Law & Ethics of Mass Communications, MCM 3305 – Mass Media Management, and MCM 4321 – International Communications. While a minor is not required, students are encouraged to select another course of study for a minor program.

The department requires the students to take a minimum of 80 semester credit hours and a minimum of 65 semester credit hours in the liberal arts and sciences outside the department.

Student Learning Outcomes

All Mass Communications graduates should be able to demonstrate the following:

1. Understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of groups in a global society in relationship to communications.
4. Understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.
6. Think critically, creatively and independently.
7. Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work.
8. Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences, and purposes they serve.
9. Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness.
10. Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts.
11. Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.
12. Comprehend and adapt to the changing environment of media convergence.

Journalism Track

The Journalism track prepares students to work as reporters, writers, and editors of news and feature stories. It also prepares them to be writers of commentaries, editorials, and columns. An internship program provides practical experiences and a practicum allows students to produce a portfolio. Thirty-six (36) semester hours are required for the journalism track. Advisers will guide students toward completion of their degree plans according to departmental requirements and availability of courses layout, and news photography. An internship program has been designed to provide practical experience to students in the news-editorial sequence.