Mass Communication

Program Goals & Outcomes

The goal of the Mass Communication Associate of Arts degree program is to provide students with necessary coursework to transfer to a Mass Communication baccalaureate degree program.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Define key concepts in mass communication;
  • Evaluate the impact of mass communications on society;
  • Write and/or edit news stories using Associated Press (AP) Style and standard English conventions;
  • Apply techniques in visual elements for effective publication production;
  • Produce and/or edit video content suitable for broadcast; and
  • Exhibit professional communication skills.

Students in the program must complete courses listed in Program Requirements and Support & Related sections with a minimum grade of “C” in each course in order to receive the Associate of Arts degree. Students should consult the four-year institution to which they plan to transfer and carefully select courses that will meet the requirements for the bachelor’s degree program.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (39 hours min.)

English Composition (6 hours)

  • ENGL 1113 English Composition I+
  • ENGL 1213 English Composition II+

U.S. History/U.S. Government (6 hours)

  • HIST 1483 U.S. History to 1877
    or HIST 1493 U.S. History Since 1877
  • POLS 1113 American Federal Government

Sciences (7 hours)–one must include lab

See Science Electives below.

Humanities (6 hours)

See list in the College Catalog.

Mathematics (3 hours)

See Mathematics Electives below.

Liberal Arts (3 hours)

  • PHIL 2303 Introduction to Ethics+
    or TH 1533 Voice & Diction

General Education Electives (8 hours minimum)

  • MCOM 1213 Public Speaking

See General Education Limited Electives below.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (17 hours)

Students must earn a “C” or better in these courses to be eligible for graduation.

  • MCOM 1103 Introduction to Mass Media
  • MCOM 1203 Media Writing+
  • MCOM 1401 Mass Media Practicum+
  • MCOM 2203 News Reporting+
  • MCOM 2503 Media Production
  • MCOM 2603 Video News+
  • MCOM 2901 Mass Communication Capstone+

SUPPORT & RELATED ELECTIVES (6 hours)

Students must earn a “C” or better in these courses to be eligible for graduation.

See Support & Related Electives below.

+Check course description for prerequisites that must be met.

Science Electives

HSBC 1104, HSBC 1224, HSBC 2103, HSBC 2114, GEOG 1114, or any course with the following prefixes: ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, ENSC, GEOL, METR, PHSC, or PHYS

Mathematics Electives

Any MATH course which is at least 1000 level or higher except MATH 2013, MATH 2023, & MATH 2033

General Education Limited Electives

  • ART 2413 Survey of Art, Technology, & Culture+
  • MCOM 2801-3 Mass Communication Internship*
  • PHIL 2113 Introduction to Logic & Critical Thinking+
  • PHIL 2303 Introduction to Ethics+
  • POLS 2303 Introduction to Mass Media & Politics
  • TH 1533 Voice & Diction
  • _____ ____ Any course(s) with FREN, GERM, LANG, or SPAN prefix
    * MULT 2801-3 will not meet the degree requirements. It must be MCOM 2801-3.

Support & Related Electives

  • MCOM/MULT 1123 Social Media Tools & Strategies
    or MCOM/MKTG 2113 Digital Marketing Essentials
  • MCOM 1401 Mass Media Practicum+ (May be repeated twice)
  • MCOM 2003 State Capitol Reporting+
  • MCOM 2093 Special Topics in Mass Communication
  • MCOM 2413 Digital Photography
    or MULT 2413 Digital Photography
  • MCOM 2323 Principles of Public Relations
    or MCOM/MKTG 2213 Principles of Advertising
  • MCOM 2333 Layout & Graphic Design
  • MCOM 2441-3 Mass Communication Independent Study+
  • MCOM 2513 Screenwriting

Suggested Order of Enrollment

Students should enroll in a combination of General Education Requirements and Program Requirements to complete the degree. Check the College Catalog and/or class schedule for course offering specifics. The “+” symbol represents a prerequisite for the course. Any course offering is subject to change without notice.

1st Semester

  • MCOM 1103 Introduction to Mass Media
  • MCOM 1203 Media Writing+
  • ENGL 1113 English Composition I+

2nd Semester

  • MCOM 2203 News Reporting+ (Spring semester only)
  • 3 hours of Support & Related Electives
  • 3 hours of General Education Limited Electives

3rd Semester

  • MCOM 1401 Mass Media Practicum+
  • MCOM 2503 Media Production
  • MCOM 1213 Public Speaking
  • 3 hours of General Education Electives

4th Semester

  • MCOM 2603 Video News+ (Spring semester only)
  • MCOM 2901 Mass Communication Capstone+
    3 hours of Support & Related Electives

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