Program Overview

Communication BA, Mass Communication Emphasis

Overview

The Communication BA with a Mass Communication Emphasis focuses on forms of communication that seek to reach broad audiences, such as news, movies, entertainment programming, video games, advertising, and social media. Courses address business strategies behind these forms of mass communication, how they are created, and how they affect individuals and society.

Requirements

Students majoring in communication must complete a minimum of 36 credit-hours in communication courses. To complete the degree with the Mass Communication emphasis, students must complete the 21 credit-hour core and at least 15 hours of electives from within the selected emphasis area. The skills and knowledge applied in the required Practicum/Internship should be consistent with the selected emphasis area.

General Education Requirements

Majors must satisfy the university and college general education requirements. The college's foreign language requirement may be taken in any language. Communication courses may not be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Degree Requirements

• At least 18 credit hours must be taken at UMSL.
• At least 12 credit hours of the communication courses completed must be numbered 3000 or above for students seeking a general communication degree, as well as for students pursuing an emphasis area.
• All students must earn a C or better in each of the required core courses of the major and maintain a 2.0 grade point average in all of the courses applied to the communication degree.

Required Courses

Emphasis Area Requirements

The Mass Communication emphasis area focuses on the effects of mass media and the processes through which users create, distribute, and interpret these messages. 15 credits are needed.

• Up to six credit hours of Special Topics Courses, Directed Readings courses, and Supervised Research courses offered by the Communication and Media Department can be applied to the emphasis area if the specific topic of the course is relevant to the emphasis area.
• Choose five of the following courses:
  • MEDIA ST 1070 | Introduction to Cinema
  • COMM 1369 | Introduction to Health Communication
  • MEDIA ST 2235 | Media Theory
  • COMM 3355 | Dangerous Messages
  • MEDIA ST 3355 | Media Law and Regulation
  • MEDIA ST 3356 | Global Media Systems and Trends
  • COMM 3368 | Advanced Health Communication
  • COMM 4500 | Seminar in Fundamental Communication Theory
  • COMM 4700 | Seminar in Fundamental Mass Communication Theory Total Hours | 15 |

Learning Outcomes

• Learn how media industries, such as television, film, video games, radio, recorded music, and advertising, function as businesses and as forms of creative expression
• Understand how the growth of digital technology and social media have affected and changed media industries
• Appreciate how media content plays a role in socialization and learning
• Explore ways in which media content and technologies impact people’s behaviors, thoughts, and emotions
• Recognize the various ways individuals interact with media, what needs media fulfill for them, and how this affects their experience with media

Sample Four Year Plan

First Year

• Fall:
  • INTDSC 1003 | 1
  • COMM 1030 | 3
  • COMM 1050 | 3
  • ENGL 1100 | 3
  • CORE: Mathematics Proficiency | 3
  • CORE: US History & Government | 3 Total Hours | 16
• Spring:
  • COMM 2231 | 3
  • EXPLORE: Mathematics & Natural Sciences | 3
  • EXPLORE: Humanities & Fine Arts | 3
  • Elective or minor | 3 Total Hours | 15

Second Year

• Fall:
  • COMM 2235 | 3
  • CORE: Information Literacy | 3
  • EXPLORE: Mathematics & Natural Sciences | 3
  • FGN LANG 1001 | 5 Total Hours | 14
• Spring:
  • COMM 2332 | 3
  • EXPLORE: Humanities and Fine Arts | 3
  • EXPLORE: Math & Sciences | 3
  • FGN LANG 1002 | 5 Total Hours | 14

Third Year

• Fall:
  • COMM 3330 | 3
  • ENGL 3100 | 3
  • FGN LAN 2101 | 3
  • Cultural Diversity | 3
  • Elective or minor | 3 Total Hours | 15
• Spring:
  • COMM XXXX: Mass Communication Emphasis Course | 3
  • COMM XXXX: Mass Communication Emphasis Course | 3
  • COMM XXXX: Mass Communication Emphasis Course | 3
  • Elective or minor | 3
  • Elective or minor | 3 Total Hours | 15

Fourth Year

• Fall:
  • COMM 1950 | 1
  • COMM XXXX: Mass Communication Emphasis Course | 3
  • COMM XXXX: Mass Communication Emphasis Course | 3
  • Elective or minor | 3
  • Elective or minor | 3
  • Elective or minor | 3 Total Hours | 16
• Spring:
  • COMM 4920 | 3
  • Elective or minor | 3
  • Elective or minor | 3
  • Elective or minor | 3
  • Elective or minor | 3 Total Hours | 15 Total Hours: 120