Department of Communication

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication is offered. The department offers concentrations in Broadcast and Digital Journalism, Communication and Media Studies, Print and Digital Journalism, Public Relations, and Theatre. Students may choose more than one concentration. Minors are available in all areas. In addition, the department offers numerous courses online throughout the year. Contact specific advisors for additional information.

The total major consists of 48-49 semester hours in Communication courses: 12 hours of the departmental core; and 36-37 hours of additional specified work in the concentration area(s). In addition, students complete the Arts & Sciences core curriculum and electives for a total of 124 semester hours leading to the B. A. Degree.

1. A minimum grade of C in all Communication courses (or approved substitutes) is required. Students earning a grade lower than C in a Communication course must retake that course.
2. Incoming freshmen must earn a score of 20 or higher on the ACT Enhanced English sub-scale before entering the major. Students who believe that the ACT does not accurately assess their language ability and who can present evidence of above average language skills (excellent English grades, extensive writing samples, etc.) will be given the opportunity to satisfactorily complete a screening test and gain admission to the major.
3. No transfer student, either from another institution or within the university, will be accepted who has not earned a minimum 2.0 GPA on all college work attempted prior to entering the major.
   

Prospective students are reminded that Communication is a language intensive discipline. Students with only minimal oral and written language competency should expect to be at a competitive disadvantage in classes as well as in careers after graduation. Transfer students with less than a C in English composition courses may have difficulty with the advanced writing courses required in this major.

Computer and Camera Requirements

The Department of Communication requires incoming B.A. Communication majors to purchase certain technology and equipment necessary for production and presentation of projects within departmental courses. All incoming students are required to purchase a personal laptop computer and software. Each concentration in the Department provides specific guidelines for hardware and software and a suggested timetable for purchases. The required computer and software must be selected from an approved departmental list of minimum hardware and software requirements available on the Department of Communication web site.

Financial aid that includes this requirement may be available by contacting the MSU Student Financial Aid and Scholarship office.

Additionally, upon enrollment in CO 3403 Photographic Communication or CO 3333 Advanced TV Production, students will be required to purchase a digital single-lens reflex (dSLR) camera. The required camera must be selected from an approved departmental list of minimum specifications. The approved list is available on the Department of Communication web site.

Communication Lab Fees

Additional fees associated with class materials and technology are associated with certain classes in the Department and are automatically assessed to the students upon enrollment in those courses.

Broadcast and Digital Journalism

The Broadcast and Digital Journalism concentration prepares students for work in television, radio, multi-media and other areas. Graduates work in front of and behind the camera. In addition to the expected journalistic jobs, graduates also find positions in extension service, university relations, government, and industry.

Communication and Media Studies

Communication and Media Studies trains students to understand and investigate how humans use symbols to make meaning in interpersonal, mediated, professional, public, and political contexts. This concentration prepares students for careers in professional and public communication roles and with the research, writing, and presentation skills needed for graduate study.

Print and Digital Journalism

In addition to filling positions for newspapers, magazines, and digital publications in the state and around the country, graduates of the Print and Digital Journalism concentration obtain news-related jobs in universities, business, and industrial relations.

Public Relations

The Public Relations concentration prepares students for a variety of professional positions. In addition to work with public relations and advertising firms, graduates are employed by colleges and schools, newspapers and broadcasting organizations, banks, churches, hospitals, insurance companies, businesses and corporations, charitable and political groups, and state and federal governments.

Theatre

The Theatre concentration prepares well-rounded artists for performance or production careers in theatre, film, and education.

Communication Minors

Minors in each of the concentration areas (Broadcast and Digital Journalism, Communication and Media Studies, Print and Digital Journalism, Public Relations, and Theatre) are available. Because of the differences between and among the disciplines in the department, students considering a minor are advised to meet with the department head or advising coordinator prior to making a decision regarding a minor. The Department of Communication endeavors to work with individual students so that the minor field combines appropriately with his/her major field of study. Students with majors in business, agriculture, social sciences, and the humanities are especially encouraged to consider a minor in one of the related areas.

Professional Societies and Scholarships

Students in any of the departmental concentration areas with superior averages after completing certain courses may qualify for membership in the Theta Alpha Chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the official honor society of the National Communication Association. Students in Theatre may be tapped for Alpha Psi Omega honorary after completing certain work in theatrical productions.

Numerous scholarships are available in the Department of Communication. See the department’s website for a complete list of available scholarships.

Professional societies are available for students in most of the concentration areas. The Public Relations Student Society of America, the Public Relations Association of Mississippi, and the Southern Public Relations Federation provide pre-professional experience and contacts for students of Public Relations. Blackfriars is available to students of Theatre. The Student Broadcasting Association services students in the Broadcast and Digital Journalism concentration; this group is directly involved in the production of several television programs. A student chapter of the Broadcast Education Association is also available.

General Education and College Requirements

Note: Students must complete 31 upper division hours in A&S in residence at MSU.

Humanities electives must be courses in A&S and must cover two disciplines.

Required for Theatre concentration; students in other concentrations may substitute alternative A&S core fine arts course if taken prior to declaring major.

Required for all students in major; students may substitute CO 1013 if taken prior to declaring major; students cannot count both CO 1003 and CO 1013 toward graduation requirements.

Choose one or more of the following concentrations:

Broadcast and Digital Journalism Concentration