Connecting, Creating, Growing
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. A goal of our program is for students to develop an understanding for the economic and social effects of media, including legal and ethical issues. Our graduates have achieved career success in areas such as information technologies, advertising, public relations, and broadcast journalism, and preparation for graduate study and professions in law, politics, lobbying, speech writing, and management.
Students will develop an understanding for the economic and social effects of media, including legal and ethical issues.
"It's rewarding to see the "A-ha!" Moment when they see a response we predicted would occur."
Assistant Professor, School of Communication
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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.
Note: the M/CS major is going from limited access to open access beginning Fall 2024. The information on this page has been updated to reflect the major requirements for the new open access program.
Prerequisite Coursework
MMC 2000 (3) Introduction to Mass Communication.
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.
Major Program of Studies at FSU: 30 hours.
No grade below a C minus will be accepted for any course in the major.
Four core courses: (12 hours)
COM 3332 (3) New Communication Technologies
RTV 3001 (3) Media Techniques
SPC 2608 (3) Public Speaking
SPC 3210 (3) Contemporary Human Communication
Advanced Courses (9 – 18 hours)
Students select courses from the approved list; see advisor.
Application/Elective Courses (0 – 9 hours)
Students can complete up to 9 hours from the approved list of application/elective courses; see advisor.
Language Requirement:
Students formally fully declared into the major must achieve proficiency in one language other than English prior to graduation. As the M/CS degree is a BA-only program, student must satisfy the language proficiency requirement by completing coursework through the 2000 level (2200 or equivalent course) of a classical or modern language. Students admitted prior to 2012 must earn at least a C- in each course; courses may not be taken on an S/U basis. Native speakers of another language and other students who wish to demonstrate proficiency by means other than coursework should consult the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics.
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: 30
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.
Program Information
The Florida State University School of Communication offers four limited access undergraduate major programs (advertising, media/communication studies, media production, public relations). The competitive application process for prospective ADV, DMP, and PR majors opens for those who have completed minimum course requirements, have at least 52 hours of undergraduate coursework, and have an all-college GPA of 3.0 or higher. This application process occurs once each year in the spring semester. New majors are admitted only for the summer and fall semesters.
Transfer Students
Undergraduates not currently enrolled at FSU must apply to the University through the Undergraduate Admissions Application. This is separate from the School of Communication application. Please apply first to the University using the Undergraduate Admissions Application process. This will result in an identification number that will help you apply next to the School of Communication.
Application Process
Students seeking admission into a major program within the School of Communication should complete the following: (1) download the Application Instructions HERE, and (2) beginning Friday, December 1st, 2023 students will be able to submit the compiled materials using the online application form.
The online application form can be accessed here: https://comm-fsu-sm.smapply.us/
Applications are due on or before Tuesday February 1st, 2024, 11:59 p.m. EST deadline.
Application Information Sessions
Information sessions are held in the fall and spring semesters to give interested students more information about the application process and to answer questions concerning the application package.
The second Zoom information session for the 2024 application is tentatively scheduled for mid-January.
Undergraduate Application Deadlines
The application window will open December 1st. The deadline to apply for summer or fall 2024 admission is Thursday February 1st, 2024, by 11:59 p.m. EST. All documents and supporting materials must be received prior to this deadline.
Admissions decisions will be announced in March 2024.
Please contact the Advising Center at 850-644-7278 with any questions.
For Additional Assistance
Prospective undergraduate students may call the College of Communication & Information Advising Center at 850-644-7278 for an appointment to discuss the application process.
