The question students always have is "What can I do with a degree in Mass Communications?" The answer is "Just about anything!"
Curriculum
The Mass Communications curriculum provides a foundation in mass communication theory that is augmented by practical and professional skills training provided through experimental learning class assignments, practicum courses, and internship opportunities.
As a student in our program, you will choose from one of three concentrations: Digital Media, Journalism or Public Relations. You'll learn how to develop interactive media artifacts, public relations campaigns, conduct investigative reporting and write for online media outlets, all while studying in Macintosh powered intelligent classrooms equipped for the converging world of digital communications. You will learn from award-winning faculty and knowledgeable staff who are actively involved in research and professional media activities.
Digital Media Concentration
The Digital Media Concentration prepares students to be content producers and for behind-the-scenes positions in a wide variety of settings. Graduates find employment in commercial and non-commercial radio and television stations, audio production facilities, recording studios, educational institutions, advertising agencies, or industrial or corporate settings. Classes in the Digital Media track include: Basic Web Design, TV Production I & II, Sound Production, Social Media and applications, Professional Internship.
The Journalism Concentration
The Journalism concentration prepares students to be multimedia journalists,TV reporters, news producers, media writers and editors,correspondents, podcasters, as well as streaming media professionals. Classes in the Journalism track include: News Reporting I and II, Editorial and Feature Writing, Media Business and Practices and Multimedia Reporting.
The Public Relations Concentration
The Public Relations concentration prepares students for careers in both the for-profit and nonprofit industries as publicists, strategists, and writers who analyze, design, develop, implement and evaluate public relations strategic campaigns. Classes in the Public Relations track include: Digital Literacy, Principles of Public Relations, Social Media and applications, Public Relations Management and Campaigns, and Advanced Public Relations.
Student Opportunities and Experience
The Mass Communications major at Â鶹´«Ã½ is more than just a department. It is a community of faculty, staff and students who share a passion for all things media, storytelling and people. Our student-run media outlets, The Panther newspaper and website, Panther Radio, Panther Television, and Panther Social Media, allow students many opportunities to refine their media craft. Digital Media students produce news packages, hosts sports interviews, produce films, and television programs. Journalism students report the news, write sports and features for The Panther newspaper and website. Public Relations students develop advertising and public relations campaigns for local business clients and non-profit organizations, along with assisting the department with promoting our brand. Our web design and social media courses teach students not only how to use industry standard software but also how to use it effectively to produce an artifact. Our Internship and Practicum courses provide students with hands-on, real world opportunities to develop their skillsets for job placement in the media industries.
Students learn the theory and practice of effective communication through course assignments with an emphasis on critical and analytical thought. The Department of Mass Communications is located in the second floor of the Grace Thomas Kennedy Building on campus. The department houses a television studio and control room, an audio lab and podcast studio, a media production computer lab, and top of the line digital cameras for students to use.
Careers and Outcomes
Our alums are using the skills learned at Â鶹´«Ã½'s Mass Communications program to make a difference in the world in all sorts of careers. Whether you're creating social media content, reporting news, developing an advertising or public relations campaign, working with a local business or non-profit organization’s media department, writing a screenplay, or directing a television show, you're engaged in telling a great story. In order to tell great stories, you have to learn what makes a great story and how to tell it. We teach you that as a value added.
All Mass Communications courses enable students to gain knowledge about the role of media in all areas of societyso that they can become workingprofessionals of caliber that made a different.Once you're part of the Â鶹´«Ã½ Mass Commutations Family, you're always part of it! We keep in touch.