Mass Communication Department

Declaring a major in Mass Communication

Students must successfully complete the application process outlined below.

1. Students must successfully complete LANG 120; and MCOM 201 or both VMP 207 and 209.
2. Students must receive a satisfactory evaluation on the appropriate entrance examination for their concentration. The entrance examinations are given once each semester, and are evaluated by a team of three Mass Communication faculty. Details about the examination are available from all departmental faculty advisors.
3. Students must submit an application letter detailing their interest in Mass Communication and specify the concentration they which to enter. Accompanying the letter, students will submit a bibliography, briefly annotated, of at least six books and/or films the student will study independently between the time of admission to the program and enrollment in the senior capstone course for the chosen concentration. The work on this bibliography will be evaluated as part of their senior demonstration of competence. A list of suggested works is available from departmental advisors.
4. Students not admitted to the program may reapply after successfully completing MCOM 301 or VMP 303, or after consultation with the department chair. Upon successful completion of the application process, the student will complete a Declaration of Major form that must be signed by the department chair.

Majoring in Mass Communication:

The Mass Communication major requires 40 hours in MCOM and VMP courses, distributed as follows:

I. Required core courses for the major— 24 hours: MCOM 104, 201, 390, 490, 492; VMP 207, 209; and two courses selected from MCOM 301, 311, VMP 303 and 305.

II. Required course outside the major – none.

III. Other departmental requirements— 16 hours to fulfill one of the concentrations listed below.

IV. Competence in the major is demonstrated through successful completion of academic and professional projects and activities. Competence is required in at least one of these areas: (1) journalism, (2) film and visual media, (3) commercial media, or (4) communication research. Specific requirements and procedures for documenting competence should be obtained from the department chair, and will include successful completion of comprehensive examinations, preparation of a portfolio of completed work, and an extracurricular transcript. Computer competency is demonstrated through successful completion of MCOM 201. Oral competency is demonstrated through successful completion of MCOM 421, VMP 493 or MCOM 498, depending on chosen concentration.

Concentration in Journalism — 16 hours: MCOM 421; 3 hours from MCOM 380, 384, 482, 484; at least 9 hours from MCOM 313, 327, 329, 341, 367, 369, 451, or VMP 359, 331, 333. Journalism students should choose VMP 301 as one of their workshop courses in I above.

Concentration in Film and Visual Media —16 hours: VMP 493; 3 hours from MCOM 380, 382, 388, 483; at least 9 hours from MCOM 451, or VMP 307, 385, 437, 439, 485. Film and Visual Media students should choose VMP 303 as one of their workshop courses in I above.

Concentration in Commercial Media — 16 hours: MCOM 474 (Commercial Media Seminar); 3 hours from MCOM 343, 345, 380, 482; at least 9 hours from MCOM 351, 353, 341, 367, 369, 451, or VMP 359.

Concentration in Communication Research —16 hours: 4 hours in MCOM 498, and 12 hours from MCOM 343, 345, 380, 382, 384, 388, 460, 482, 483, 484, 451.

Minor in Mass Communication -- See Department Chair.

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