Overview

Broadcast and digital communications impact every aspect of our lives, from listening to the radio or streamed content to watching television to using the Internet. The B.F.A. with a major in Mass Media is designed to provide the knowledge, values, perspectives, and skills necessary to transition seamlessly from the academic environment to the digital and broadcast communications arena. Students are involved in content creation and delivery.

The B.F.A. with a major in Mass Media at VSU offers numerous productions throughout the year, providing students with significant performance experience.

Beyond technical learning, students learn important skills such as collaboration, writing, storytelling, planning, budgeting, presentation, and research skills.

Grade Point Average Requirement for the BFA with a Major in Mass Media

Students who declare a major in Mass Media must earn a grade point average of 2.50 or better on Core Field of Study courses. Students who earn less than a 2.50 GPA in Core Field of Study courses will be asked to switch to another major or will automatically be changed to an undeclared major status.

Selected Educational Outcomes

Selected Educational Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate the acquisition of historic, cultural, and critical perspectives on the media.
2. Students will demonstrate skills in the analysis of broadcast program syntax and broadcast systems and their applications.
3. Students will demonstrate skills required for the production and delivery of broadcast programming and management.
4. Students will demonstrate knowledge of professional opportunities for employment in the broadcast industries.

Examples of Outcome Assessments

Concluding curricular experiences for the major will include:

1. Participation in professionally oriented broadcast media program productions.
2. Development of materials geared to the individual student’s professional career goals or post-graduation plans.
3. A capstone portfolio presentation exhibiting advanced technical or performance skills and assessing personal strengths and weaknesses.
Requirements for the B.F.A. with a Major in Mass Media
Course List
Core Curriculum60
Core IMPACTS (See VSU Core Curriculum)42
Core Field of Study18
MDIA 2000Introduction to Mass Media3
MDIA 2050Introduction to Electronic Media Production3
MDIA 2100Introduction to Media Writing3
MDIA 2350Media and Culture3
MDIA 2500Computer Mediated Communication3
MDIA 2600Course MDIA 2600 Not Found3
Senior College Curriculum60
Media Core15
MDIA 3350Aesthetics of Electronic Media3
MDIA 4100Media Economics and Management3
MDIA 4200Media Law and Ethics3
MDIA 4400Media Criticism3
Program Core: 6
MDIA 3100Writing for Media II3
MDIA 4100Media Economics and Management3
MDIA 4200Media Law and Ethics3
MDIA 4400Media Criticism3
Writing Core: 6
MDIA 3100Writing for Media II3
MDIA 3500Newswriting and Reporting3
Production Core:9
MDIA 3100Writing for Media II3
MDIA 3002Media Production II3
MDIA 3100Writing for Media II3
MDIA 3003Media Production III3
Select two of the following:6
Social Media
Transmedia Storytelling
On-Air Announcing
Media Research and Audience Analysis
Screenwriting
Newswriting and Reporting
Introduction to Sportswriting
Production
MDIA 3001Media Production I3
MDIA 3002Media Production II3
MDIA 3003Media Production III3
Areas of Focus12
Students will select one Area of Focus from the following:
Digital and Social Media12
MDIA 3175Transmedia Storytelling3
JOUR 3570Photojournalism3
or JOUR 4540 Journalism in the Digital Age
MDIA 3125Social Media3
or MDIA 4450 International Media
MDIA 4965New Media Workshop3
or MDIA 4962 Video Workshop
or MDIA 4961 Audio Workshop
News and Sports12
JOURN 4570Course JOURN 4570 Not Found0-3
or JOUR 4520 Literary Journalism
or JOUR 4510 Feature Writing
JOURXXXX Sports, Media, and Society3
JOUR 4550Reporting3
or JOUR 4530 Editorial, Column, and Review Writing
MDIA 4964Sports Workshop3
or MDIA 4960 News Workshop
or JOUR 4505 Course JOUR 4505 Not Found
Narrative and Documentary12
MDIA 3400Screenwriting3
MDIA 3380Course MDIA 3380 Not Found
MDIA 3900Course MDIA 3900 Not Found
MDIA 4962Video Workshop3
or MDIA 4963 Documentary Workshop
or MDIA 4961 Audio Workshop
Senior Projects6
MDIA 4700Digital Media Production Capstone3
MDIA 4950Senior Seminar3
Guided Elective15
GFA
MDIA 4970Internship3-9
MDIA 3950Directed Study1-3
MDIA 4030Selected Topics in Mass Media1-3
Total hours required for the degree120