A Mass Communication degree through the School of Journalism and Mass Communication will allow you to examine and analyze many forms of mass media, and even more importantly, equip you to gain successful work in this continuously evolving field. A degree in Mass Communication is an interdisciplinary course of study and opens up doors to a spectrum of careers, from advertising and broadcasting to public relations, journalism, and publishing. As a Mass Communication major, you’ll examine how media works and affects our society. You’ll analyze different forms of media, study the impact media has on our culture, and learn about media history and laws. You will also have a chance to test the waters by creating media projects of your own in certain classes.
Mass Communication majors undertake a thorough investigation of mass media, from its institutions, history, and laws to the ways in which it transforms our culture. This sequence is designed for students who wish to pursue a broad approach to the study of mass communication institutions, processes, effects, research methods, and analysis. Your studies can also serve as preparation for a masters degree, a law degree, an MBA degree, or even a Ph.D. This track can also serve as a terminal degree for students who would like to work in communications-related industries in areas beyond professional message production.
Mass communication is the study of communicating with the masses, but is also about storytelling with strategy and purpose. The study of mass communication is centered around how messages persuade and affect the behavior and opinion of the person or people receiving the content. The Mass Communication sequence will help you develop research methods and analysis skills that can be applied to a number of different fields, including law, academia, and the professional sector. Our alumni are leaders and innovators in their fields.
- MC 3355-Mass Media and Society
- MC 3360-Research Methods in Mass Communication
- MC 4305-Theories of Mass Communication
Additionally, students must choose 1 course from:
- MC 3311-Video Production
- MC 3319-Visual Communication
- MC 3390-Media Design
- MC 4304-Advertising Strategy and Execution-Portfolio
- MC 4309-Visual Literacy: Film
- MC 4312-Photojournalism
- MC 4315-Web Design Publishing
- 6 advanced hours of Mass Communication in any area of Mass Communication
For a full list of courses and requirements for our Journalism program, view the Course Catalog for:
Careers In Mass Communication
A Mass Communication major lays the groundwork for understanding the foundations and major principles of mass media and can lead to a mass media career and beyond. Students apply basic concepts learned in the major to any communication path they follow. If you are pursuing a career in a traditional media field such as advertising, public relations, or journalism, you can apply your understanding of media learned in the sequence to a wide range of work. Students have launched careers as free-lance videographers, musicians, wedding planners, doctors, designers, information specialists, research analysts, writers, editors, community affairs, as leaders in the non-profit sector, and in corporate and institutional media (producing visual, audio, written, and multimedia materials for training and instruction, internal and external communications, sales, and public relations). Other careers include:
|• Account Manager||• Director||• Literary Agent||• Public Relations Manager|
|• Advertising Salesperson||• Disc Jockey||• Media Buyer Or Planner||• Publicity Director|
|• Assignment Editor||• Editor||• News Director||• Research Analyst|
|• Booking Agent||• Engineer||• Newscaster||• Scriptwriter|
|• Broadcast Technician||• Event Coordinator||• Photojournalist||• Sound Mixer|
|• Business Manager||• Film Editor||• Producer||• Sports Director|
|• Columnist||• Floor Manager||• Production Design||• Station Manager|
|• Community Affairs Director||• Graphic Designer||• Production Management|
|• Critic||• Information Specialist||• Program Director|
|• Customer Service Manager||• Lighting Director||• Promotion Representative|
Of course, some of these positions may require additional training. However, the mass communication undergraduate degree is preparation for many of the careers listed.
Internships & Campus Media
Mass Communication majors are encouraged to seek internships but are not required to do so. The school’s internship coordinator maintains relationships with employers offering internships and provides guidance in seeking internships.
Campus media outlets also provide valuable practical experience. Students may work at campus media outlets The University Star and KTSW 89.9 FM radio on a volunteer basis, for course credit or as a student media employee.