Associated Job Titles:
Public relations, corporate communications, public information officer, publicity manager, reporter, literary agent, scriptwriter, editor, fundraiser, media planner/buyer, audiovisual producer, director of broadcasting, digital editor, digital photographer, announcer/disc jockey.
Curriculum (120 credits)
Many courses are offered in the evenings, on Saturdays, and at off-campus locations. Click here
to check the University schedule of classes for courses offered each term. (Not all courses are offered every term.)
For course schedule and descriptions
For most undergraduate classes offered by the School of Arts and Sciences, College of General Studies, and College of Business Administration, visit:
http://www.courses.as.pitt.edu/
For courses offered by Pittsburgh Filmmakers, visit: http://www.pghfilmmakers.org/edu/schedule.html
A minimum of 120 credits is required for the Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Media and Professional Communications. Of this total, the major consists of 12 credits of prerequisite courses and 24 credits of specialization courses. The remaining credits for the degree are outlined in Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree.
A grade of "C" or higher is required in English Composition and Writing courses.
Prerequisite courses for all tracks: 12 credits (four courses)
(TBD = Catalog Number not yet assigned)
COMMRC 0320 Mass Communication Process 3 cr.
COMMRC 1121 History of Mass Media 3 cr.
ENGWRT 0550 Introduction to Journalism 3 cr.
PUBSRV 1455 Ethics, Law and Public Policy in Mass Media 3 cr.
Specializations:
24 credits (eight courses)
Choose one of the three specialization tracks below.
1. Corporate/Community Relations:
Required: (9 credits)
COMMRC 1111 Theories of Persuasion 3 cr.
COMMRC 1732 Special Topics: Media Relations 3 cr.
BUSERV 1940 Marketing Fundamentals 3 cr.
Electives, choose four: (12 credits)
COMMRC 1102 Organizational Communication 3 cr.
COMMRC 1730 Special Topics: Health Communications 3 cr.
ENGCMP 0301 Writing Arguments 3 cr.
ENGCMP 0410 Writing in the Legal Professions 3 cr.
ENGCMP 0420 Writing for the Public 3 cr.
ENGCMP 0550 Topics in Public/Professional Writing 3 cr.
ENGCMP 0515 Persuasive Writing: Advertising and Fundraising 3 cr.
ENGWRT 1310 Newspaper I 3 cr.
ENGWRT 1330 Nonfiction I 3 cr.
ENGWRT 1395 Public Relations Writing 3 cr.
ENGWRT 1397 Creative Corporate Writing 3 cr.
ENGWRT 1403 Topics in Nonfiction: Electronic Media 3 cr.
PUBSRV 1200 Practices of Nonprofit Management 3 cr.
PUBSRV 1310 Diversity Issues in Public Service 3 cr.
PSY 0105 Social Psychology 3 cr.
Internship/Research, choose one: (3 credits)
CGS 1900 Internship* 3 cr.
THEA 1484 Directed Project: Business Management 3 cr.
2. Writing for the Professions:
Required: (6 credits)
COMMRC 1114 Freedom of Speech and Press 3 cr.
And choose one of the following courses:
ENGWRT 0400 Written Professional Communications 3 cr.
ENGWRT 1330 Nonfiction I 3 cr.
Electives, choose five: (15 credits)
COMMRC 1732 Special Topics: Media Relations 3 cr.
ENGCMP 0301 Writing Arguments 3 cr.
ENGCMP 0410 Writing in the Legal Professions 3 cr.
ENGCMP 0420 Writing for the Public 3 cr.
ENGCMP 0550 Topics in Public/Professional Writing 3 cr.
ENGCMP 1400 Grant and Proposal Writing 3 cr.
ENGWRT 1391 Writing the Review 3 cr.
ENGWRT 1393 Sports Writing 3 cr.
ENGWRT 1395 Public Relations Writing 3 cr.
ENGWRT 1399 Topic in Nonfiction: Newpaper 3 cr.
ENGWRT 1401 Topic in Nonfiction: Magazine 3 cr.
ENGWRT 1403 Topic in Nonfiction: Electronic Media 3 cr.
ENGWRT 1730 The Pitt News 3 cr.
Internship/Portfolio, choose one: (3 credits)
CGS 1900 Internship* 3 cr.
3. Digital Media:
Completion of two prerequisite courses is necessary before registration for Pittsburgh Filmmakers courses will be permitted. Pittsburgh Filmmakers courses are designated by a (PF) below. Photographic and Motion Principles (FILMST 0001) is a prerequisite to all other Pittsburgh Filmmakers courses.
Required: (9 credits)
COMMRC 1122 Media Criticism 3 cr.
ENGLIT 0355 Visual Literacy 3 cr.
FILMST 0001 Photographic and Motion Principles (PF)
Electives, choose four: (12 credits)
Choose four courses from the following. A maximum of two Pittsburgh Filmmakers (PF) courses can be included in the four electives.
COMMRC 1105 Television and Society 3 cr.
COMMRC 1126 Media and Consumer Culture 3 cr.
ENGLIT 0354 Words and Images 3 cr.
ENGLIT 0400 Introduction to Film 3 cr.
ENGLIT 0550 Introduction to Pop Culture 3 cr.
ENGLIT 1390 Contemporary Film 3 cr.
ENGLIT 1485 Film and Politics 3 cr.
ENGLIT 1683 Documentary Film 3 cr.
HA&A 0010 Introduction to Art 3 cr.
HA&A 0070 European Visual Traditions: From Renaissance to the Present 3 cr.
HA&A 1810 Experimental Video 3 cr.
PS 1636 Politics through Film 3 cr.
PSY 1050 Topics in Psychology: Psychology of the Media 3 cr.
SA 0110 Foundation Design 3 cr.
SA 0130 Foundation Drawing 3 cr.
SA 1270 Digital Imaging 3 cr.
SA 1470 Graphic Design 3 cr.
FILMST 0151 Web Design (PF) 3 cr.
FILMST 0245 Photoshop for Photographers (PF) 3 cr.
FILMST 0601 Video Production (PF) 3 cr.
FILMST 0410 Advanced Digital Imaging (PF) 3 cr.
FILMST 0610 Digital Effects and Compositing (PF) 3 cr.
Internship/Practicum, choose one: (3 credits)
CGS 1900 Internship* 3 cr.
*Because internship experiences vary, students may register for an internship course more than once.
Requirements subject to change. Check with an academic advisor before registering.
Payment plans MasterCard and American Express are accepted for tuition payment.
If employed, check with your company's human resources office to see if you qualify for company tuition benefits.
Deferred tuition payment plans are available for participants who wish to extend tuition payments over a longer period of time.
The University of Pittsburgh is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution.
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