The major in Journalism and Mass Communications is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in reporting, multi-media reporting, digital media production, public relations, photography, web design, strategic communication, and advertising. The major is also an excellent preparation for graduate study in communications or journalism.
Students become active decision-makers in producing the student-run publications The Circuit and bccircuit.com (student news), and The Raven (the college yearbook), as part of their practicum experiences.
International Students
The JMC department welcomes and encourages international students (students whose primary language is not English) to seek a major or minor in the department. However, because of the intensive language equirements, all international students must submit proof of language proficiency to the department before taking writing courses or declaring a major or minor in Journalism and Mass Communications. International students are required to declare a major/minor before the start of their second semester in the program. Language proficiency is met by achieving the appropriate score as required by the college for admission. (See section of catalog titled International Students.)
Program Mission
The mission of the Journalism and Mass Communications Program is to educate professional communicators in the applied skills of written, oral, and visual communications who can think critically and creatively and understand the legal and ethical responsibilities of their field.
Program Outcomes
- Graduates will be able to critically analyze media messages for accuracy, credibility, and bias.
- Graduates will be able to write clearly and concisely for the appropriate application, e.g. news, public relations, marketing, promotions.
- Graduates will be able to communicate visually through photography as well as digital and print design.
- Graduates will be able to develop an effective communication strategy and produce media that clearly and concisely communicate a message to a specific target audience.
- Graduates will be able to work in a diverse, multicultural, globally connected society.
Program Requirements
To earn a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications, students must complete 43 hours of department curriculum: 25 hours of core courses; 15 hours of electives and 2 practicums. Electives may come from lower- or upper-division courses and are generally chosen based on the student’s interests. Students may substitute one elective from the approved list of outside electives. A C-minus or better must be earned in all Journalism and Mass Communications Department courses with a total GPA of 2.0 in the major.
Course List
Code |
Title |
Hours |
MCOM-1000 | Media & Society | 3 |
MCOM-1500 | Digital Media Foundations | 3 |
MCOM-2000 | Strategic Communications | 3 |
MCOM-2610 | Digital Photography I | 4 |
MCOM-1610 | Layout & Design | 3 |
JOUR-2620 | New Writing I | 4 |
JOUR-3300 | News Writing II | 3 |
JOUR-3350 | Copy Editing | 1 |
MCOM-4090 | Senior Seminar | 1 |
MCOM-COMP | Senior Comprehensive Exam | 0 |
1 | 3-6 |
| News Practicum | |
| News Practicum | |
| News Practicum | |
| News Practicum | |
| New Practicum | |
| News Practicum | |
| News Practicum | |
| Yearbook Practicum | |
| Yearbook Practicum | |
| Yearbook Practicum | |
| Yearbook Practicum | |
| Yearbook Practicum | |
| Yearbook Practicum | |
| Publication Practicum 1 | |
| Yearbook Practicum | |
| Yearbook Practicum | |
| Publication Practicum 1 | |
| Publication Practicum 2 | |
| Publication Practicum 2 | |
| Publication Practicum I | |
| |
| 15 |
| Principles of Visual Communications | |
| Introduction to Cinema | |
| Web Design I | |
| Video Production I | |
| Art of Presentation | |
| Sports Broadcasting I | |
| Signs & Symbols | |
| Adv Report/Print | |
| Feature Writing | |
| Digital Photography II | |
| Special Topic | |
| Special Topic | |
| Christianity in Mass Media | |
| Sports Broadcasting II | |
| Mass Media Law & Ethics | |
| Independent Study | |
| Independent Study | |
| |
| Principles of Marketing | |
| Graphic Design I | |
Total Hours | 43-46 |