Degree Overview: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Mass Media
Majors Overview February 7, 2015Students in bachelor’s degree programs in mass media will be provided with an overview of various types of media, such as print, cinema, and broadcasting. They will be prepared for careers in media and taught the teamwork skills and job duties needed.
Information on Mass Media Bachelor Degree Program
Bachelor’s degree programs in mass media are offered by many schools; these programs cover numerous fields of study, such as the Internet, film, print journalism, and television. Students are taught about cultural and societal changes resulting from media content and technological changes to media industries and production techniques. They will become adept at analyzing information and critiquing media works.
Students complete four years of full-time study during a bachelor’s degree program. Coursework covers topic areas such as ways of reaching a target audience, journalism law and ethics, and media types and their functions.
Hands-on, practical knowledge of techniques is gained by students in workshops or labs. Broadcast operations or school publications may be featured to students. An internship is included in the curriculum of many programs.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree Programs in Mass Media
The production of different media forms including websites, documentaries, advertisements, photojournalism, magazines, newspapers, radio shows, music, sports broadcasts, and television programs may be studied by students.
They may also be taught about distribution methods in areas such as grassroots activism and marketing, in addition to theories pertaining to the media’s effect on politics, economics, culture, societal values, and individuals as well as the functions of various types of media and the varied roles of persons involved in the media. Students may learn about consideration of the targeted audience, cultural sensitivity, media regulations, ethical obligations, and history during the performance of their work.
Coursework usually includes laboratory hours or workshops, wherein students are taught about using various types of equipment, including computer software such as Photoshop, Flash, and Dreamweaver; video and audio recording instruments; and cameras. Procedures such as media criticism, marketing strategies, photo illustration, pagination, and Web media and print formatting may be practiced by students.
The furnishing of a portfolio, development of a unique media project, or completion of an internship is often expected of students before they complete the program. Students can obtain experience in media operations by working for the school’s yearbook, radio station, or newspaper.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma. Those seeking admission to mass media programs may also be required to have taken relevant high school classes like computers, composition, and English.
Coursework
Coursework within mass media programs may include introductory courses in social sciences and communication. Core coursework may involve providing students with laboratory experience in the use of media technology. Core coursework may include these subject areas:
•Journalism
•Audio and video production
•Media power
•Global media
•Ethics of media
•Mass media distribution
•Mass media methodology
•Web design
•Broadcasting
•Photography
Career Choices
Graduates can seek various occupations within the mass media industry, including public institutions, government agencies, and companies in fields such as:
•Editing
•Telecommunications
•News reporting
•Broadcasting
•Advertising
Continuing Education Choices
Graduates of the bachelor’s degree program may seek continuing education by earning a master’s degree in mass communication, mass media, or other relevant areas of study. They may also choose to go to law school and specialize in media law.