Mass Communication, BS
The Mass Communication program will prepare you to think critically as well as communicate clearly and effectively. Your coursework will prepare you to become a professional in the media field who exhibits ethical and faith-based approaches to your work.
The program offers a selection of five tracks to specialize in: journalism, public relations, broadcast media, digital media arts, and graphic design.
The broadcast media, digital media arts, and graphic design tracks are hands on, technical programs offered through a special partnership we have with Specs Howard School of Media Arts. Students pursuing these tracks should take the Specs Howard coursework during their sophomore or junior year. This portion of coursework requires three consecutive semesters and students must be prepared to pay summer tuition when financial aid is not dispersed.
Students pursuing the journalism and public relations tracks complete all coursework at Rochester College.
Program Learning Outcomes
The following learning outcomes are linked to assignments and activities throughout this program. After completing program requirements, students will be able to:
- Produce all forms of mass communication by applying functional area concepts and theories through writing, oral presentations and digital technologies.
- Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy, fairness, and clarity.
- Understand and evaluate the historical and cultural of mass communication with special focus on audience diversity and a faith perspective of communication practices.
- Apply professional ethical principles aligned to the First Amendment with special focus on the relationship between media ethics and a faith system.
All students will obtain practical experience by working on
Shield, RC’s student media, and through a media internship.
Requirements for the BS in Mass Communication
General Education Core 40 hours
Mass Communication Major 30 hours
Must take three one-hour workshops
Take all of the following:
MED 4953: capstone course
Choose One Track (see following tables): 24-33 hours
- Broadcast Media
- Digital Media Arts
- Graphic Design
- Journalism
- Public Relations
Minor (recommended) 18 hours
Electives 1-17 hours
Total Credit Hours: 120
Track Options for Mass Communication Major
Journalism Track
Broadcast Media Track (Specs Howard)
Digital Media Arts Track (Specs Howard)
| DMA 1114 | Digital Media Arts I | 11.5 |
| DMA 1214 | Digital Media Arts II | 10.5 |
| DMA 1314 | Digital Media Arts III | 11 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 33 |
Graphic Design Track (Specs Howard)
Public Relations Track