Media Studies students develop important skills that apply to a wide range of career opportunities. Employers in media-related industries seek graduates who are well-rounded with strong writing and analytical skills. Graduates from the program work in public interest organizations, the children’s media industry, attend graduate or law school, and a multitude of other media careers.

The plan of study offers students the opportunity to build a program in one of three areas of study: International Communication, Media and Society, or Politics and Media. In addition, a student can design an individual program of study. Working with a faculty advisor, the student submits for approval a proposal for coursework including justification and a corollary.

Media Studies students will complete 62 hours in the School of Media Arts and Studies; 28 credit hours are within the Media Studies sequence:

• 16 credit hours - MDIA (TCOM) 101, 203, 204, 205
• 16 credit hours - MDIA electives (two production courses and 2 management courses)
• 4 credit hours - MDIA 467: Global Media Systems
• 8 credit hours - MDIA 260: Media Theory and MDIA 279: History of Media

In addition, students will take five courses in their area of interest (courses within other areas of the Media Studies sequence can be substituted with permission) [20 credit hours] :

   International Communication

• MDIA (TCOM) 363: New Technologies
• MDIA 371: Media and Social Effects
• MDIA 380: Media and Identity
• MDIA 440: Public Service Media
• MDIA 454: Personal Values in Media
• MDIA 465: Satellite and Media Communication
• MDIA 466: Technology, Communication and Culture
• MDIA 467: Global Media Systems
• MDIA 469: Media and Development
• MDIA 479: Advanced Media Criticism

   Media and Society

• MDIA 371: Media and Social Effects
• MDIA 380: Media and Identity
• MDIA 381: Women & Media
• MDIA 383: Children, Youth & Media
• MDIA 385: African American Televisual Image
• MDIA 440: Public Service Media
• MDIA 454: Personal Values in Media
• MDIA 466: Technology, Communication and Culture
• MDIA 479: Advanced Media Criticism
• MDIA 484: Television Genres

   Politics and Media

• MDIA 371: Media and Social Effects
• MDIA 375: Politics & Media
• MDIA 381: Women & Media
• MDIA 440: Public Service Media
• MDIA 454: Personal Values in Media
• MDIA 459: Audience Research
• MDIA 453: Law and Regulations
• MDIA 463: New Technology
• MDIA 466: Technology, Communication and Culture
• MDIA 484: Advanced Media Criticism

   Individualized Program of Study

With the approval of a faculty advisor, the sequence chair, and the director of the School of Media Arts and Studies, a student may design their own program of study. A cumulative g.p.a. of 3.0 and an approved proposal is required by the junior year.

All Media Studies students are encouraged to take MDIA 200: Special Topics in Media Studies; MDIA 210: Media Research; MDIA 405: Research Internship; Special Topics in Contemporary Issues or International Issues as a part of their area of interest required courses.