Media Studies, BA
Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies (C60104BA)
More on the Media Studies major
The University of Akron's media studies program provides students with hands-on experience to prepare them for a variety of careers within media industries. The curriculum covers both applied and theoretical approaches to all aspects of the field, including media law and ethics, video and audio content creation, editing, producing, and writing for various platforms.
Program Contact
Juan Contreras
jec37@uakron.edu
330-972-5870
The following information has official approval of The School of Communication and The Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences, but is intended only as a supplemental guide. Official degree requirements are established at the time of transfer and admission to the degree-granting college. Students should refer to the Degree Progress Report (Stellic) which is definitive for graduation requirements. Completion of this degree within the identified time frame below is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others. The transfer process is completed through an appointment with your academic advisor.
Three year accelerated option: for first time students who have earned credits for at least the first year of courses. Credits can be earned through qualifying scores on appropriate Advanced Placement (AP) exams or through College Credit Plus Program (CCP) courses. Credits for qualifying AP scores or CCP courses are determined by the appropriate academic department. Departments may assign varied course credit, depending on the student’s score on an AP exam or grade in a CCP course. Students may also receive credit by examination or via placement tests, where appropriate.
Requirements
Summary
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 36 | |
| College of Arts & Sciences Requirements | 12-24 | |
| Communication Core | 9 | |
| Media Studies Core | 15 | |
| Media Studies Electives | 12 | |
| School of Communication Elective | 3 | |
| Minor Requirement | 18 | |
| Additional Credits for Graduation * | 15-3 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- *
Bachelor's degrees require a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation.
General Education Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must complete the following General Education coursework. Diversity courses may also fulfill major or Breadth of Knowledge requirements. Integrated and Applied Learning courses may also fulfill requirements in the major. | ||
| Academic Foundations | 12 | |
Mathematics, Statistics and Logic: 3 credit hours | ||
Speaking: 3 credit hours | ||
Writing: 6 credit hours | ||
| Breadth of Knowledge | 22 | |
Arts/Humanities: 9 credit hours | ||
Natural Sciences: 7 credit hours | ||
Social Sciences: 6 credit hours | ||
| Diversity | ||
Domestic Diversity | ||
Global Diversity | ||
| Integrated and Applied Learning | 2 | |
Select one class from one of the following subcategories: | ||
Complex Issues Facing Society | ||
Capstone | ||
Review the General Education Requirements page for detailed course listings. | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
College of Arts & Sciences Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Degree requirements in Arts & Sciences include either 1) the demonstration of ability to use another language by completion of the second year of a foreign language, or 2) the completion of a certificate program outside of the Communication department | ||
| 2 Year Language Proficiency | 14 | |
101 Beginning I | ||
102 Beginning II | ||
201 Intermediate I | ||
202 Intermediate II | ||
| Survey of Deaf Culture in America (American Sign Language option only) | ||
-or- | ||
| Certificate program 1 | 12-24 | |
- 1
Please see your advisor for a list of available certificate programs
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Students must also complete a minimum of 40 credits (excluding workshops) consisting of either: | ||
Upper-level (300/400) courses both in and outside of the student’s major; | ||
or other courses outside the major department approved by the student’s major department chair (permission should be obtained prior to enrollment); these may not include workshops | ||
Communication Core 1
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 101 | Introduction to Communication | 3 |
| COMM 384 | Communication Research | 3 |
| or COMM 331 | Data Collection and Information Design | |
| Select one of the following Theory courses (Courses not used for this requirement can be taken for elective credit): | 3 | |
| Communication Theory | ||
| Theories of Rhetoric | ||
| Public Relations Theory | ||
| Media Theory | ||
| Total Hours | 9 | |
- 1
Grade of C or better is required in Communication Core courses.
Media Studies Core
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 210 | Multiplatform Production | 3 |
| COMM 274 | Introduction to the Media Industries | 3 |
| COMM 300 | Newswriting Across the Media | 3 |
| COMM 364 | Legal Issues in Media | 3 |
| Select One Production-based courses form the following list | 3 | |
| Courses not used for this requirement may be taken as elective credit | ||
| COMM 318 | Sports Production | |
| COMM 323 | Podcasting | |
| COMM 326 | Studio Production | |
| COMM 368 | Video Editing | |
| COMM 472 | Video Production | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Media Studies Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits of the following: | 12 | |
| COMM 228 | ZTV (repeatable up to 3 credits) | |
| COMM 230 | WZIP-FM (repeatable up to 3 credits) | |
| COMM 235 | Business and Professional Communication | |
| COMM 304 | Information Gathering & Editing | |
| COMM 307 | Principles of Social Media | |
| COMM 309 | Public Relations Publications | |
| COMM 317 | Topics in Media Production 1 | |
| COMM 318 | Sports Production 2 | |
| COMM 323 | Podcasting 2 | |
| COMM 325 | Intercultural Communication | |
| COMM 326 | Studio Production 2 | |
| COMM 334 | Leadership Principles & Practices | |
| COMM 355 | Freedom of Speech | |
| COMM 368 | Video Editing 2 | |
| COMM 410 | Digital Content Creation | |
| COMM 472 | Video Production 2 | |
| COMM 475 | Political Communication | |
| COMM 480 | Communication Internship | |
| COMM 481 | Film as Art: An Introduction to the Film Form | |
| COMM 486 | Media Management & Leadership | |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
- 1
May be repeated with a change in topic for a maximum 9 credit hours
- 2
Can be for elective credit if not used to fulfill Communication Core requirement.
School of Communication Elective
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select three credits from any COMM course: | ||
| COMM xxx | 3 | |
The following courses DO NOT satisfy this requirement: | ||
| Introduction to Public Speaking | ||
| Effective Oral Communication | ||
| Total Hours | 3 | |
Minor Requirement
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Completion of a Minor or Second Major or earned Associate Degree | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Recommended Sequence
| 1st Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| COMM 101 | Introduction to Communication 1 | 3 |
| ENGL 111 | English Composition I | 3 |
| Beginning Language 1 or Certificate Course I 2 | 3 | |
| COMM 105 | Introduction to Public Speaking 1 | 3 |
| Mathematics, Statistics and Logic Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ENGL 112 or ENGL 222 | English Composition II or Technical Report Writing | 3 |
| Beginning Language II or Certificate Course II 2 | 3 | |
| COMM 210 | Multiplatform Production | 3 |
| Natural Science Requirement | 3 | |
| Social Science Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| 2nd Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Natural Science with lab Requirement | 4 | |
| Intermediate Language I or Certificate Course III 2 | 3 | |
| Social Science Requirement | 3 | |
| COMM 325 | Intercultural Communication 3 | 3 |
| COMM 368 | Video Editing or Video Production or Sports Production or Studio Production or Podcasting | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Intermediate Language II or Certificate Course IV 2 | 3 | |
| COMM 274 | Introduction to the Media Industries | 3 |
| Arts/Humanities Requirement | 3 | |
| COMM 364 | Legal Issues in Media | 3 |
| Global Diversity Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| 3rd Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| COMM 300 | Newswriting Across the Media | 3 |
| COMM 384 or COMM 331 | Communication Research 1 or Data Collection and Information Design | 3 |
| Media Studies Elective | 3 | |
| Arts/Humanities Requirement | 3 | |
| Minor Requirement 4 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Arts/Humanities Requirement | 3 | |
| Minor Requirement 4 | 3 | |
| Minor Requirement 4 | 3 | |
| Global Diversity Requirement | 3 | |
| Upper Level Electives or Certificate Course V | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| 4th Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| COMM 474 | Media Theory 1 or Communication Theory or Theories of Rhetoric or Public Relations Theory | 3 |
| Media Studies Elective | 3 | |
| Minor Requirement 4 | 3 | |
| Minor Requirement 4 | 3 | |
| Upper Level Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Communication Elective | 3 | |
| Complex Issues Requirement | 3 | |
| Minor Requirement 4 | 3 | |
| Media Studies Elective | 2 | |
| Media Studies Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
A grade of C or better is required in order to graduate.
- 2
Students are required to complete four semesters of a modern language or sign language OR complete a certificate from the approved list (see below). Demonstration of ability to use another language by completion of the second year of a modern language or sign language is required through coursework, AP, CLEP, or Oral Proficiency Interview. See your advisor for placement. Please note that all four semesters must be completed in the SAME language and it’s recommended you begin your first language course as soon as possible. Students can also complete one of the following certificates, instead of a language, to satisfy this requirement: Applied Political Communication [370019C], Artificial Intelligence [360010C], Conflict Transformation & Social Entrepreneurship [370016C], Parent and Family Education [H40203C], Entrepreneurship [630000C], Health Care Selling [660108C], International Business [680000C], Applied Politics [370005C], Asian Studies [340001C], Environmental Studies [337004C], Field Archaeology [324001C], Gerontology [300006C], Latin American Studies [300008C], Linguistic Studies [330008C], Middle Eastern Studies [340002C], Pan-African Studies [300002C], Research Methods for the Social Sciences [385000C], Teaching English as a Second Language [330003C], Women’s Studies [300110C], Manual Communication [H70007C], Museum and Archives Studies [140001C], and Addiction Services [226106C].
- 3
The School of Communication recommends COMM 325 Intercultural Communication to meet both a Communication elective and the Domestic Diversity course requirement.
- 4
A student must complete one of the following: (1) A university approved minor from the Undergraduate Bulletin, (2) an earned Associate's or Bachelor's degree, or (3) a second major.