Program's Overview

Description of Major 
Students in Media/ Communication Studies will gain a solid liberal education highlighting media studies and human communication. Courses include the study of the history, evolution and the changing state of mass media, communication technologies, and techniques in mass media production. Students will develop an understanding for the economic and social effects of media, including legal and ethical issues. Students in these emphasis areas may pursue careers in media such as broadcasting, cable, advertising, video production, information technologies, as well as preparation for graduate study and professions in law, ministry, politics, lobbying, speech writing, and management.

Prerequisite Coursework 
18 hours outside the major and beyond General Education

Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org.

Requirements 
Admission Requirements to the Upper-Division Major
The School of Communication is a limited access program, restricted by both total numbers of students in each major and minimum grade point average required for application. Each major operates with a different enrollment cap. Achievement of the minimum application GPA does not guarantee admission to a communication major; all admissions are competitive. An application package must be completed and submitted to the School of Communication (See http://www.comm.cci.fsu.edu/). Minimum requirements for admission into this major include: an overall GPA of 3.0 on all college coursework attempted; a completed application submitted to the School of Communication on or before the first business day in February for each year; and transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Students must have completed 52 hours of college coursework at the end of the semester of application. Acceptance by a faculty committee will be based on a review of the application and transcript. By the end of the spring semester in which the student is applying for admission, s/he must have successfully completed two General Education English courses and two General Education math courses as accepted by FSU.

Major Program of Studies at FSU: 33 hours
No grade below a C minus will be accepted for any course in the major. Maintenance of a 3.0 cumulative GPA is required. The School of Communication reserves the right to refuse admission or discontinue enrollment of any student at any time, if, in the judgment of the faculty, the student does not meet departmental or major standards.

Four core courses: (12 hours)
MMC 2000 (3) Introduction to the Mass Media
RTV 3001 (3) Media Techniques
SPC 2608 (3) Public Speaking
SPC 3210 (3) Contemporary Human Communication

Communication E-Series: (3 hours)
IFS 2102 (3) From Page to Screen: The Art and Politics of Adaptation
IFS 2103 (3) Documentary History, Theory and Practice
IFS 2052 (3) Global Perspectives
IFS 3033 (3) Media, Culture and the Environment

Advanced courses (9 hours)
Students select courses from the approved list; see advisor

Application/activity courses (9 hours)
Students are required to complete 9 hours from the approved list of application/activity courses; see advisor

Language Requirement:
Students formally admitted into any program in the School of Communication must achieve proficiency in one language other than English prior to graduation. Students may fulfill this requirement through a modern, classical, or business language. For students admitted for Fall 2012 or later, S-U grading of modern language courses is acceptable; business language courses must be taken for a letter grade. See the University Bulletin or contact the School of Communications for details (http://www.comm.cci.fsu.edu/).

Minor Coursework: 12 hours or more
Media/Communication Studies majors must fulfill the minor requirement in one department outside Communication, with the exception of a minor in Hispanic Marketing. Students should contact the minor department for specific requirements. All work counted toward the minor must carry a grade of C minus or higher. Recommended minors include: English, History, Political Science, Psychology, Journalism (at FAMU), Sociology, Criminology, Women’s Studies, and British Studies (London Program).

Computer Skills Competency: 3 hours. CGS 2060 (3), CGS 2100 (3), or COM 4470 (3).

Oral Communication Competency: 0 hours beyond major requirements.
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. SPC 2608 is required for this major and also satisfies this requirement.

Minimum Program Requirements – Summary
Total Hrs. Required 120
General Education 36
Major Coursework 33
Minor Coursework 12 or more
Language Requirement 0-12 (depending on placement)
Computer Skills 3
Oral Communication Competency 0 beyond major coursework
Electives to bring total hours to 120

Mapping 
Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. You may view the map for this major at www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/.

Remarks 
1. A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at this University.
2. Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
3. The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.
4. The B. A. degree requires a foreign language through the intermediate (2200) level or equivalent.

Please visit the Academic Guide for more information.