Minor in media studies
Students who are not mass communications majors may take a minor in media studies. This program consists of 18-20 credit hours of mass communications course work designed to sharpen critical-thinking skills of consumers of news and advertising and introduce students to the workings of the mass media. A media studies minor will complement almost any major.
Why get a minor in media studies?
In working for a business or organization, you may be called on to write newsletters or other publications, to interact with the press or to handle advertising and public relations issues. That's why mass communications courses already are required in many programs.
The minor in media studies will show you how the news media, advertising and public relations industries work — and you will have an opportunity to learn hands-on skills such as newswriting and media graphics.
The minor can even be a springboard to a media career. For instance, many newspaper reporters have majored in an area of expertise, such as political science or business, and have acquired their journalism skills in other ways. According to an exhibit at the Newseum, the interactive museum of news in Arlington, Va., only 48 percent of journalists had journalism degrees in 1995.
With additional work on your part, including a part-time job in a newsroom, the minor could be your ticket to a newspaper career.
If you declared a media studies minor Summer 2008 or before, click here for a pdf detailing requirements.
If you declared a media studies minor Fall 2008 or after, click here for details.
You may also find complete program information, including admission and course requirements, in the Undergraduate Bulletin.