NOTE: THIS PROGRAM IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS OR INTERNAL TRANSFERS
Carlson Hall
Telephone: (203) 576-2451
Program Description
The Bachelor of Arts degree is awarded in Mass Communication, with concentrations in Advertising, International Communication, Fashion Business communication, Journalism, Public Relations, and Sports Communications. The Mass Communication Program offers students an interdisciplinary foundation in the basic theory and skills necessary to become media practitioners and more informed media consumers. Students have the opportunity for internships and independent projects that allow them to have real world experience in the mass media professions. Graduates of this program have gone on to a variety of careers in the media field, including those in advertising, corporate communication, public relations, journalism, and broadcasting. Recent graduates have also gone onto top graduate program in Journalism and Mass Communication.
Students attaining the degree in Mass Communication must complete 36 hours of coursework in the Mass Communication area. All students must complete the 12-hour core requirements. In addition, students must complete 12 hours in one of the concentrations.
In addition to the 12-hour core and 12-hour concentration, students are also required to complete an additional 12-hour elective coursework in Mass Communication for a total of 36 hours. Students are required to successfully pass courses in Mass Communication with a grade of C or better. Semester hours earned for a grade below C in an elective Mass Communication course (including those no longer offered), not raised to a C or better, will be added beyond the 120 otherwise needed for graduation.
Learning Outcomes
Students of the B.A. in Mass Communication Program will: 1) demonstrate effective speaking and listening skills for communication in personal, public, and media areas; 2) demonstrate effective writing skills for communication in personal, public, and media areas; 3) demonstrate the ability to observe events, gather information, write news reports and news releases, report on events, and edit other people’s writings; 4) demonstrate the ability to understand the media critically and recognize how media shape and are shaped by politics, society, culture, economics, and daily lives; 5) demonstrate the ability to recognize the power of persuasion and ethical responsibilities of communicators in communication at all levels; 6) demonstrate an understanding of the roles of communication in fostering interaction and interdependence across gender, race, and culture; 7) demonstrate the ability to apply communication theories to analyze contemporary problems; 8) demonstrate an understanding of the history, development, and practice of the print media, electronic media, and the new media.
* Note that for all School of Public and International Affairs majors, a portfolio is collected to track progress in programmatic outcomes.
Internships, Cooperative Education
Students are strongly encouraged to obtain working experience in the Mass Communication field through either the cooperative education program or the internship program. To participate in either co-op or internship, students must meet the following requirements:
- be of junior standing
- have completed at least 18 hours of coursework in mass communication
- have at least a 2.5 QPA in mass communication with no grade below a C-minus
- be a student in good academic standing at the university
Students may apply three (3) semester hours of co-op internship or independent study to the thirty-six (36) hours required in the mass communication major. Additional hours of co-op, internship or independent study credit may be applied to general elective credits required for graduation.
Depth Study
Students are encouraged to obtain a minor of 18-24 semester hours in another department, or a concentration of 15 semester hours of related courses outside Mass Communication minor and concentrations should be chosen in consultation with an advisor.
