Journalism Bachelor of Science Degree
Journalism
Bachelor of Science Degree
In RIT’s journalism bachelor's, you’ll interview thoroughly, investigate methodically, write masterfully, edit effectively, report fearlessly, and publish innovatively–all in service to social change.
Overview for Journalism BS
This program is no longer accepting new student applications.
The journalism degree prepares you to gather, critically analyze, and synthesize verbal and visual information to communicate accurate and clear news stories across multiple media platforms. In addition to writing and reporting, you will prepare audio and visual content for dissemination in a variety of media, making you an experienced and valuable asset to any future employer specializing in news reporting and factual storytelling.
The bachelor's in journalism is enhanced by RIT's reputation for using cutting-edge technology, yet is grounded in the traditional reporting and writing skills needed by professional journalists. The journalism degree prepares you for a converged digital media world. Learn the conceptual and practical skills demanded by the digital newsroom through a combination of journalism, communication, and applied professional courses, along with a professional core of courses. In RIT's journalism bachelor's you are required to complete one block of cooperative education experience.
Plan of Study
Develop skills through a core of required communication courses, which cover news writing, news editing, multi-platform journalism, communication theory, mass communications, law and press ethics, and computer-assisted reporting. A professional core of four courses, chosen from the colleges of Art and Design, Business, or Computing and Information Sciences, introduces you to photojournalism, multimedia, web development, digital entrepreneurship, and building a web business. Journalism electives, free electives, and liberal arts courses complete the curriculum.
Senior Project: In a senior capstone course, apply what you've learned to a project similar to one you would encounter in the journalism industry. You will produce a long-form piece of journalism, a website, and a digital portfolio of selected works.
Advising
Every journalism bachelor's student is assigned a professional academic advisor and a faculty mentor in the department of communication. The professional advisor assists with course planning and registration; the faculty mentor provides advising about career development and planning, including information about research opportunities, graduate school, and jobs. Peer mentors, who are upper-level journalism students, are available to answer questions about classes, clubs on campus, student-run activities, and other matters from the student’s perspective. For more information, please refer to the college's academic advising page.
RIT’s Pre-Law Program
Law schools welcome applications from students majoring in a wide range of academic programs. RIT’s pre-law program will help you navigate the admission process for law school, explore a range of legal careers, and guide you through course selection to ensure you build the skills and competencies required of competitive law school applicants. The program is open to students in all majors who are interested in pursuing a career in law.
Furthering your Career in Journalism
Today’s careers require advanced degrees grounded in real-world experience. RIT’s Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degrees enable you to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as little as five years of study, all while gaining the valuable hands-on experience that comes from co-ops, internships, research, study abroad, and more.
- Journalism BS/Communication MS: An accelerated dual-degree program that builds on a foundation in journalism, news media, and contemporary reporting to deepen expertise in strategic communication methods and channels such as social media; applications for artificial intelligence; visual storytelling and data representation; organizational communication; engagement data analysis; and more.
- +1 MBA Early Acceptance Pathway: Successful RIT applicants who are offered admission into the BS degree in journalism as an incoming first-year student may also be offered conditional early acceptance into the +1 MBA Early Acceptance Pathway. This option enables you to earn both your BS degree and an MBA in as little as five years of study. Learn how the +1 MBA Early Acceptance Pathway can help you add a competitive advantage to your studies.
- +1 MBA: Students who enroll in a qualifying undergraduate degree have the opportunity to add an MBA to their bachelor’s degree after their first year of study, depending on their program. Learn how the +1 MBA can accelerate your learning and position you for success.
3+3 Accelerated BS/JD Programs
RIT has partnered with Syracuse University’s College of Law and University at Buffalo School of Law to offer accelerated 3+3 BS/JD options for highly capable students. These programs provide a fast track to law school where you can earn a bachelor’s degree at RIT and a Juris Doctorate degree at Syracuse University or University at Buffalo in six years. Interested students may apply to the option directly, with successful applicants offered admission to RIT and conditional acceptance into either Syracuse University’s College of Law or University at Buffalo School of Law.
RIT’s journalism degree is one of the approved majors for the 3+3 option.
Learn more about Accelerated Law 3+3 Programs.
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Curriculum for 2024-2025 for Journalism BS
Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements
Journalism, BS degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| COMM-261 | History of Journalism This course presents the history of American journalism from colonial times to the present, including the advance of press freedom under the First Amendment and how it has affected the development of American media. The influences of Europe, colonial politics in America, national expansion, urbanization, war, and technology are further developed. Journalism’s relationship to politics, institutions, and culture will be investigated. Newspaper, magazine, and broadcast industries will be examined for ideas that have changed American journalism. Lecture 3 (Spring). |
|
| COMM-271 | Introduction to Journalism The course covers the impact/effect of journalism on American society, with an introduction to the history, freedom, technologies, ethics, and functions of the news media. Students will learn how to assess news value, develop news judgment, and analyze news stories. Lecture 3 (Fall). |
|
| COMM-272 | Reporting and Writing I (WI-PR) This course introduces students to the principles and practices of gathering, evaluating, investigating, and presenting information to general audiences. Rights and responsibilities of the press will be analyzed. Although special emphasis will be given to writing and reporting for print publications, other media will be addressed. Special attention will be given to the qualities of writing, especially organization, accuracy, completeness, brevity, and readability. Assignments must conform to Associated Press style. Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| COMM-280 | Community Journalism Community Journalism emphasizes the local aspects of news, and teaches students how to identify “community” beyond a region and a neighborhood. A co-taught course with Photojournalism faculty in the College of Art and Design, Community Journalism sharpens students’ reporting skills, and guides them in constructing a reporting project as a complete journalistic package, with visual, artistic and written storytelling components in concert with each other. The final project will be a reported (written) piece with corresponding photographs and multimedia. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| YOPS-10 | RIT 365: RIT Connections RIT 365 students participate in experiential learning opportunities designed to launch them into their career at RIT, support them in making multiple and varied connections across the university, and immerse them in processes of competency development. Students will plan for and reflect on their first-year experiences, receive feedback, and develop a personal plan for future action in order to develop foundational self-awareness and recognize broad-based professional competencies. (This class is restricted to incoming 1st year or global campus students.) Lecture 1 (Fall, Spring). |
0 |
General Education – Artistic Perspective† |
3 | |
General Education – Ethical Perspective† |
3 | |
General Education – First-Year Writing (WI) |
3 | |
General Education – Global Perspective |
3 | |
General Education – Social Perspective |
3 | |
General Education – Elective |
3 | |
Professional Core Course |
3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| COMM-105 | Foundations of Communication An introduction to the discipline of communication and the fields of advertising, journalism, and public relations. Topics include: the history and evolution of the discipline, major theories, principles of ethics, methods of research, writing styles, digital portfolio development, professional organizations, and potential careers. Students meet professors in the School, explore opportunities to engage with the professional and academic community beyond the classroom. (This class is restricted to ADVPUB-BS or PTCOMM-BS or COMM-BS or JOURNAL-BS Major students.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| COMM-263 | Data Journalism This course covers how to report on, illustrate, find, and analyze records and databases, with emphasis on investigative reporting. Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| COMM-374 | Opinion Media Opinion Media teaches students how to craft persuasive personal essays, commentary and op-eds, and get them published on news sites, in trade magazines, in newspapers and on influencer blogs. By drawing upon the ethical deployment of evidence, including argument, anecdote and statistical data, student authors will learn how to become influencers and thought leaders through the deployment of the written word and multimedia texts, including writing scripts, and producing video, for their own social media channels. This course is ideally suited for those seeking to sharpen their persuasive writing skills to sell their ideas, vision, expertise and life experience to a targeted media audience. Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
General Education – Mathematical Perspective A |
3 | |
General Education – Mathematical Perspective B |
3 | |
General Education – Natural Science Inquiry Perspective‡ |
3 | |
General Education – Scientific Principles Perspective |
3 | |
General Education – Immersion 1, 2 |
6 | |
Professional Core Course |
3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| COMM-342 | Communication Law and Ethics This course examines major principles and trends in communication law. The course analyzes a broad range of issues related to the First Amendment, intellectual property, and media regulation. Special attention is paid to discussing the major ethical perspectives and issues surrounding contemporary communication behavior. Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| COMM-370 | Ethnic Press in the United States The course examines the role of the ethnic press in the U.S. and the communities they serve, both historically and contemporarily. Students will pay close attention to how the audiences and their relationships to these media sources have shifted over time due to the news consumers’ changing citizenship status, and shifting linguistic practice and cultural histories. While print newspapers will be the primary source focus due to their foundational role within the ethnic press, students will also explore television broadcasts, online and streaming news and their social media counterparts. Students will learn about the historic and ongoing roles these media outlets play with acculturation and social reform, including the fight for racial and religious equity. Financial viability and tensions with the mainstream press will also be explored. Lecture 3 (Fall or Spring). |
3 |
| COMM-450 | Multiplatform Production and Publishing This course introduces students to the principles and practices of using multiple mediums to tell stories on multiple platforms, including written text, video, photo, audio, immersive media and other new and evolving forms of media. The course familiarizes students with the tools and techniques of a multiplatform storyteller, for example, digital content strategy, story concept ideation, pre-production, production, post-production and dissemination through new and evolving platforms. Additionally, students explore current examples of multiplatform stories. Lec/Lab 3 (Fall or Spring). |
3 |
| COMM-499 | Communication Co-Op (summer) One semester of full-time paid work experience in a professional setting related to the communication major. (This class is restricted to ADVPUB-BS or PTCOMM-BS, COMM-BS or JOURNAL-BS Major students.) CO OP (Fall, Spring, Summer). |
0 |
Professional Core Course |
3 | |
General Education – Immersion 3 |
3 | |
General Education – Electives |
9 | |
Open Electives |
6 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| COMM-497 | Communication Portfolio Communication, advertising, and public relations majors create a portfolio comprised of projects, papers, and related professional materials; Journalism majors complete a senior project. Near the end of every semester, the department hosts a portfolio review day when department of communication seniors present their portfolio or project work in a public space for review and comment by faculty, staff, and peers. The presentation constitutes completion of the course. (Prerequisites: At least 4th year student standing in ADVPUB-BS, PTCOMM-BS, COMM-BS or JOURNAL-BS.) Studio (Fall, Spring, Summer). |
0 |
| COMM-561 | Senior Project Senior capstone course culminating in the production of a long-form piece of journalism, a website and a digital portfolio of select works. The course brings together each participant's work in journalism and the professional core. (Prerequisites: COMM-461 or equivalent course.) Seminar (Spring). |
3 |
Professional Core Courses |
6 | |
General Education – Electives |
12 | |
Open Electives |
9 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 120 |
|
Please see General Education Curriculum (GE) for more information.
(WI-PR) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.
* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information. Students completing bachelor's degrees are required to complete two different Wellness courses.
† Students may elect to enroll in VISL-388, Gender and Contemporary Art, for the General Education Artistic Perspective, and either UWRT-365, Writing, Public Speaking and Civil Engagement, or VISL-320, Contemporary Cinema: Fact and Fiction, for the General Education Ethical Perspective, if such courses are of interest to them.
‡ Students will satisfy this requirement by taking either a 3 or 4 credit hour lab science course. If a science course consists of separate lecture and laboratory sections, the student must take both the lecture and the lab portion.
Professional Core
| Required courses | |
| COMM-223 | Digital Design in Communication In an increasingly visual culture, and culture of online user-created content, non-designers are called upon in the professional realm to illustrate their ideas. Graduates entering the workforce will encounter situations where they will benefit from possessing a visual communication sensibility and vocabulary to communicate effectively with a broad range of audiences, including professional designers. Creative approaches to challenges, such as visual thinking, are also shown to improve students’ comprehension and problem-solving abilities. Digital Design in Communication is an opportunity for undergraduates to receive an introduction to principles of visual message design from a critical rhetorical perspective. They will also get the opportunity to apply these principles to a variety of visual products such as advertisements, logos, brochures, resumes, etc. A variety of computer software applications are available to support the research, writing, visualization, and design of messages. Lecture 3 (Fall, Summer). |
| COMM-291 | Communication for Social Change The course introduces students to the role of communication, information, and media in social change messaging, particularly in the areas of activism and public advocacy. It takes a critical approach toward understanding the role of communication and communication technologies in the creation and dissemination of messages geared towards social change in a variety of mediated contexts. Students will review relevant theoretical frameworks that commonly inform the study and practice of activism and public advocacy, as well as analyze specific examples and case studies contemporarily, as well as select examples at moments of profound activism since the Civil Rights era of the 20th Century. Students will analyze various forms of activism and examine the role of communication in each. Finally, through the design of a social change communication campaign proposal, students will apply strategic communication approaches that will respond to a social issue that may be local, national or global. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring). |
| PHAR-203 | Elements of Photojournalism This course will serve as an introduction to visual story telling as it relates to professional photojournalism. It will provide relevant practice in basic technical, compositional, and interpersonal skills necessary in all aspects of modern photography. Students will be exposed to photojournalism - documentary, editorial, narrative, and editing - as well as explorations of current career possibilities. Lectures, critiques, demonstrations, and assignments will provide participants the opportunity to explore the still, audio, and multimedia strategies used for storytelling. In this course students are expected to meet real-world project deadlines and participate in class discussions and critiques. (Prerequisites: PHAR-102 or PHAR-161 or PHPS-102 or equivalent course or students in the JOURNAL-BS program.) Lab 3, Lecture 2 (Fall, Spring). |
| PHPJ-315 | Non-Fiction Multimedia This course will teach students how to tell stories in the digital world. Students will learn the skills necessary to gather and edit audio and how to combine audio, images, and text for compelling online storytelling. In addition to basic technical skills, the course will explore contemporary concepts for effective multimedia storytelling. (Prerequisites: PHAR-203 or equivalent courses.) Lab 3, Lecture 2 (Fall, Spring). |
| Choose one of the following: | |
| PROF-221 | New Venture Development This course presents factors to be considered by those interested in the ownership and management of small business enterprises. Includes who should be an entrepreneur, guidelines for starting a new business, basic legal considerations, and approaches for obtaining credit and capital. Revised course includes staffing, purchasing, supplier relations, cash flow management, and managerial skills needed to run any business or corporate department. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring). |
| COMM-489 | Topics in Communication An in-depth examination of a selected aspect of the communication discipline (e.g. strategic communication, technical communication, visual communication, computer mediated communication, advertising, public relations, journalism). Topics in Communication can be taken multiple times provided the topic being studied has changed. Lecture 3 (Fall or Spring). |
| DDDD-101 | Introduction to Modeling and Motion This course is an introduction to the representation of form and motion in three-dimensional software. The course focuses on the development of visual and verbal vocabulary as a means of exploring, developing, and understanding composition and motion with digital geometry and in virtual spaces. Topics include the basics of lines, planes, contour, transforming lines into form, composing images with a software camera, interaction of light and surface, perspective, resolution of geometry, and rendering. Perception and visual thinking are emphasized in the development of projects. Projects will include modeling organic and inorganic forms, composition, level of detail, creation of spaces and motion. Structured assignments develop skills in concept generation, basic form making, techniques for creating motion, and craftsmanship. Emphasis is placed on workflow, teamwork, and the technical and aesthetic aspects of each project. Lecture 2, Studio 2 (Fall). |
| HIST-301 | Great Debates in US History This course offers an analysis and interpretation of the main themes in the history of the United States over a broad period of time that extends to the modern era. We will look at how issues such as race, class, gender, and the environment have shaped American history, as well as debates over the multiple meanings of that history. Lecture 3 (Biannual). |
| MGIS-360 | Building a Web Business This course gives students both a conceptual and hands-on understanding of the launching of web businesses. Students will study the full process of web business creation, including domain name registration, frameworks for application creation, hosting of web applications and search engine optimization. Students will apply their knowledge by designing and building a business website that can actually make money. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring). |
| MGMT-360 | Digital Entrepreneurship Digital Entrepreneurship brings together state-of-the-art knowledge in digital business practices with basic instruction in entrepreneurship and business planning. This highly interactive, applied experience will allow students to develop business ideas, discover RIT resources that support new ventures, network with and learn from industry experts, and complete a professional plan to communicate and advance a digital business venture. Student work for this course will involve research and analysis of electronic marketplaces and, ultimately, the design and development of competitive digital startups. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer). |
Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degrees
The curriculum below outlines the typical course sequence(s) for combined accelerated degrees available with this bachelor's degree.
Journalism, BS degree/Communication, MS degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 |
|
| COMM-261 | History of Journalism This course presents the history of American journalism from colonial times to the present, including the advance of press freedom under the First Amendment and how it has affected the development of American media. The influences of Europe, colonial politics in America, national expansion, urbanization, war, and technology are further developed. Journalism’s relationship to politics, institutions, and culture will be investigated. Newspaper, magazine, and broadcast industries will be examined for ideas that have changed American journalism. Lecture 3 (Spring). |
|
| COMM-271 | Introduction to Journalism The course covers the impact/effect of journalism on American society, with an introduction to the history, freedom, technologies, ethics, and functions of the news media. Students will learn how to assess news value, develop news judgment, and analyze news stories. Lecture 3 (Fall). |
|
| COMM-272 | Reporting and Writing for News Media (WI-PR) This course introduces students to the principles and practices of gathering, evaluating, investigating, and presenting information to general audiences. Rights and responsibilities of the press will be analyzed. Although special emphasis will be given to writing and reporting for print publications, other media will be addressed. Special attention will be given to the qualities of writing, especially organization, accuracy, completeness, brevity, and readability. Assignments must conform to Associated Press style. Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| COMM-280 | Community Journalism Community Journalism emphasizes the local aspects of news, and teaches students how to identify “community” beyond a region and a neighborhood. A co-taught course with Photojournalism faculty in the College of Art and Design, Community Journalism sharpens students’ reporting skills, and guides them in constructing a reporting project as a complete journalistic package, with visual, artistic and written storytelling components in concert with each other. The final project will be a reported (written) piece with corresponding photographs and multimedia. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| YOPS-10 | RIT 365: RIT Connections RIT 365 students participate in experiential learning opportunities designed to launch them into their career at RIT, support them in making multiple and varied connections across the university, and immerse them in processes of competency development. Students will plan for and reflect on their first-year experiences, receive feedback, and develop a personal plan for future action in order to develop foundational self-awareness and recognize broad-based professional competencies. (This class is restricted to incoming 1st year or global campus students.) Lecture 1 (Fall, Spring). |
0 |
Professional Core |
3 | |
General Education - First Year Writing (WI) |
3 | |
General Education - Artistic Perspective |
3 | |
General Education - Ethical Perspective |
3 | |
General Education - Global Perspective |
3 | |
General Education - Social Perspective |
3 | |
General Education - Elective |
3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| COMM-105 | Foundation of Communication An introduction to the discipline of communication and the fields of advertising, journalism, and public relations. Topics include: the history and evolution of the discipline, major theories, principles of ethics, methods of research, writing styles, digital portfolio development, professional organizations, and potential careers. Students meet professors in the School, explore opportunities to engage with the professional and academic community beyond the classroom. (This class is restricted to ADVPUB-BS or PTCOMM-BS or COMM-BS or JOURNAL-BS Major students.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| COMM-263 | Data Journalism This course covers how to report on, illustrate, find, and analyze records and databases, with emphasis on investigative reporting. Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| COMM-374 | Opinion Media Opinion Media teaches students how to craft persuasive personal essays, commentary and op-eds, and get them published on news sites, in trade magazines, in newspapers and on influencer blogs. By drawing upon the ethical deployment of evidence, including argument, anecdote and statistical data, student authors will learn how to become influencers and thought leaders through the deployment of the written word and multimedia texts, including writing scripts, and producing video, for their own social media channels. This course is ideally suited for those seeking to sharpen their persuasive writing skills to sell their ideas, vision, expertise and life experience to a targeted media audience. Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
Professional Core |
3 | |
General Education - Natural Science Inquiry Perspective† |
3 | |
General Education - Scientific Principles Perspective |
3 | |
General Education - Mathematical Perspective A |
3 | |
General Education - Mathematical Perspective B |
3 | |
General Education - Immersion 1, 2 |
6 | |
| Third Year | ||
| COMM-342 | Communication Law and Ethics This course examines major principles and trends in communication law. The course analyzes a broad range of issues related to the First Amendment, intellectual property, and media regulation. Special attention is paid to discussing the major ethical perspectives and issues surrounding contemporary communication behavior. Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| COMM-370 | Ethnic Press in the United States The course examines the role of the ethnic press in the U.S. and the communities they serve, both historically and contemporarily. Students will pay close attention to how the audiences and their relationships to these media sources have shifted over time due to the news consumers’ changing citizenship status, and shifting linguistic practice and cultural histories. While print newspapers will be the primary source focus due to their foundational role within the ethnic press, students will also explore television broadcasts, online and streaming news and their social media counterparts. Students will learn about the historic and ongoing roles these media outlets play with acculturation and social reform, including the fight for racial and religious equity. Financial viability and tensions with the mainstream press will also be explored. Lecture 3 (Fall or Spring). |
3 |
| COMM-450 | Multiplatform Production & Publishing This course introduces students to the principles and practices of using multiple mediums to tell stories on multiple platforms, including written text, video, photo, audio, immersive media and other new and evolving forms of media. The course familiarizes students with the tools and techniques of a multiplatform storyteller, for example, digital content strategy, story concept ideation, pre-production, production, post-production and dissemination through new and evolving platforms. Additionally, students explore current examples of multiplatform stories. Lec/Lab 3 (Fall or Spring). |
3 |
| COMM-499 | Communication Co-Op (Summer) One semester of full-time paid work experience in a professional setting related to the communication major. (This class is restricted to ADVPUB-BS or PTCOMM-BS, COMM-BS or JOURNAL-BS Major students.) CO OP (Fall, Spring, Summer). |
0 |
Professional Core |
3 | |
General Education - Immersion 3 |
3 | |
General Education - Electives |
9 | |
Open Electives |
6 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| COMM-497 | Communication Portfolio Communication, advertising, and public relations majors create a portfolio comprised of projects, papers, and related professional materials; Journalism majors complete a senior project. Near the end of every semester, the department hosts a portfolio review day when department of communication seniors present their portfolio or project work in a public space for review and comment by faculty, staff, and peers. The presentation constitutes completion of the course. (Prerequisites: At least 4th year student standing in ADVPUB-BS, PTCOMM-BS, COMM-BS or JOURNAL-BS.) Studio (Fall, Spring, Summer). |
0 |
| COMM-561 | Senior Project Senior capstone course culminating in the production of a long-form piece of journalism, a website and a digital portfolio of select works. The course brings together each participant's work in journalism and the professional core. (Prerequisites: COMM-461 or equivalent course.) Seminar (Spring). |
3 |
| COMM-714 | Strategic Communication This course will introduce students to the theory and practice of strategic communication in advertising, public relations, health communication, crisis/risk communication, and/or political communication. This course will cover problem identification, audience research, message creation, and execution of strategic communication activities. It will also cover ethics and strategic communication through digital media. By the end of the course, students should be able to analyze and execute various components to help solve problems or achieve an organization’s goals and objectives. Seminar 3 (Fall). |
3 |
MS Communication Elective |
3 | |
Professional Core |
6 | |
General Education - Electives |
6 | |
Open Electives |
9 | |
| Fifth Year | ||
| COMM-702 | Communication Theories Over the course of this term we will cover mass communication theory from its inception as a field of study, to major trends, followed by current applications of previous paradigms, and finally into the development of new theoretical frameworks. While the main focus of this course is the integration of current mass communication theory with an individual and organizational online presence, we will also focus on how digital platforms can inform the future of theoretical research and vice versa. From a practical perspective, students will be able to apply these theories to their integrative approaches in creative digital communication and design. (This class is restricted to degree-seeking graduate students or those with permission from instructor.) Seminar 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| COMM-703 | Research Methods in Communication This course is designed to introduce students to qualitative and quantitative research methods in communication and guide them in choosing the appropriate method for their thesis research project. Topics may include research perspectives, ethics and IRB, variables, sampling methods, reliability and validity, survey, experiments, content analysis, in-depth interview, focus group, observations/ethnography, and mixed methods. (Prerequisites: COMM-702 or equivalent course.) Seminar 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| COMM-720 | Thesis Preparation Seminar An introduction to graduate study and research in communication including the theoretical, conceptual, and methodological parameters of communication and its sub-disciplines. Participants will interact with the faculty teaching required and elective communication courses. Attention will be drawn to scholarly writing and research design. When possible, the course is organized in conjunction with the department’s colloquium series. (This course is restricted to COMMTCH-MS Major students.) Seminar 1 (Spring). |
0 |
| Choose one of the following: | 6 |
|
| COMM-800 | Communication Thesis/Project (6 CR) A guided research project that focuses on designing, conducting, and completing a research project. The project culminates in a public presentation and defense. Thesis (Fall, Spring, Summer). |
|
| COMM-800 | Communication Thesis/Project (3 CR) plus one (1) Elective (3 CR)‡ A guided research project that focuses on designing, conducting, and completing a research project. The project culminates in a public presentation and defense. Thesis (Fall, Spring, Summer). |
|
| COMM-801 | Comprehensive Exam (0 CR) plus two (2) Electives (6 CR)‡ |
|
MS Communication Elective |
3 | |
MS Professional Core |
9 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 144 |
|
Please see General Education Curriculum for more information.
(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.
* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information. Students completing bachelor's degrees are required to complete two different Wellness courses.
† Students will satisfy this requirement by taking either a 3- or 4-credit hour lab science course. If a science course consists of separate lecture and laboratory sections, student must take both the lecture and lab portions to satisfy the requirement.
‡ These electives can be from the MS Professional Core or MS Communication Electives, or a combination of both.
