Media and Professional Communications (BA)

Requirements

Students must earn a minimum of 120 credits for the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in media and professional communications. Of this total, the major consists of 36 credits distributed as follows: 12 credits of required core courses and 24 credits of specialization courses, including an internship. CGS online offerings are marked with (Web) or (Hybrid) on the program website. For the remaining degree requirements, see our General Education program page.

Core Courses: (12 Credits)

The following four courses are required for all three tracks. Some courses serve as prerequisites to more advanced courses in the MPCOMM major. Please review individual catalog descriptions and plan your schedule accordingly.

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^{Format: F2F and Web}

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^{Format: F2F and Web}

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^{Format: F2F and Web}

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^{Format: Hybrid}

Specializations: (24 Credits)

Choose one of the three specialization tracks that follow:

TRACK 1: Corporate/Community Relations

Engaging with stakeholders -- whether the customers, the general public or investors -- is important for any business. This option prepares you for communicating with a company's many audiences.

Upon completion of this track, you will be able to navigate professional relationships with various audiences and in a variety of industries and contexts.

REQUIRED COURSES: (9 CREDITS)

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^{Note: CBA students may use BUSMKT 1040 in place of BUSERV 1940.}

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^{Format: Web}

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^{Note: Formerly COMMRC 1732: Special Topics: Public and Media Relations (SEC 77XX)}

^{Format: Hybrid}

INTERNSHIP: (3 CREDITS)

Choose one of these two options:

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^{Format: Web}

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ELECTIVES: (12 CREDITS)

Select four courses from the list of approved electives.

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^{Format: F2F and Web}

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^{Note: Formerly COMMRC 1730}

^{Format: F2F and Web}

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^{Approved Topic: New Media Technologies}

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^{Format: F2F and Web, available as of Fall 2025}

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^{Format: F2F and Web}

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^{Format: F2F and Web, available as of Fall 2025}

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^{Format: F2F and Web, available as of Fall 2025}

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^{Format: F2F and Web}

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^{Format: F2F and Web, available as of Fall 2024}

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^{Format: F2F and Web}

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^{Format: F2F and Web}

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^{Format: F2F and Web}

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^{Format: F2F and Web}

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^{Format: Web}

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^{Format: F2F and Hybrid}

•  URBNST 0512 - NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING 

Program Planning Checklist

Use the Corporate & Community Track checklist (PDF) to plan and track your progress in the major.

TRACK 2: Writing for the Professions

Businesses of all kinds need skilled wordsmiths, from technical writers to copywriters, to help them communicate their message; this concentration helps you focus on the written word in a corporate setting.

Upon completion of this track, you will be able to produce high-quality and effectively written works that either analyze writing in a specific genre or field (health, law, grants, reviews, media, marketing, public relations, newspaper or magazine features) or demonstrate mastery of the form (genre).

REQUIRED COURSES: (6 CREDITS)

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^{Note: COMMRC 1114 may be substituted with either COMMRC 1161 Communication Ethics 3 cr or, if not used as an elective, ENGCMP 1103 Public Relations Writing 3 cr.}

 

Select one of these two options:

 

^{Format: F2F and Web}

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INTERNSHIP: (3 CREDITS)

Select one of these two options:

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^{Format: Web}

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ELECTIVES: (15 CREDITS)

Select five courses from the list of approved electives.

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^{Note: Formerly COMMRC 1732: Special Topics: Public and Media Relations (SEC 77XX)}

^{Format: Hybrid}

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^{Note: Formerly COMMRC 1730}

^{Format: F2F and Web}

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^{Approved Topics: New Media Technologies (SEC 10XX)}

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^{Format: F2F and Web, available as of Fall 2025}

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^{Format: F2F and Web}

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^{Format: F2F and Web, available as of Fall 2025}

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^{Format: F2F and Web, available as of Fall 2025}

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^{Format: F2F and Web}

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^{Format: F2F and Web}

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^{Format: F2F and Web}

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Program Planning Checklist

Use the Writing for the Professions Track checklist (PDF) to plan and track your progress in the major.

TRACK 3: Digital Media

Today’s media organizations produce content for multiple platforms; this option introduces you to the many ways -- from audio and video to graphic design -- you can create and share a story.

Upon completion of this track, you will have developed production skills along with a formal understanding of media fundamentals in genres such as photography and film.

REQUIRED COURSES: (9 CREDITS)

Complete three courses from the list below:

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^{Format: F2F and Web}

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^{Note: Cross-listed with FMST 0800}

Choose one of the following two:

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^{Format: Web}

^{Note: Cross-listed with FMST 0100}

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^{Note: Cross-listed with FMST 0130}

INTERNSHIP: (3 CREDITS)

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^{Format: Web}

ELECTIVES: (12 CREDITS)

Select four courses from the list of approved electives.

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^{Format: F2F and Web}

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^{Note: Cross-listed with HAA 0425}

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^{Format: F2F and Web}

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^{Note: Cross-listed with FMST 0120}

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^{Note: Cross-listed with FMST 1275}

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^{Note: Cross-listed with FMST 1410}

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^{Note: Cross-listed with HAA 1820 and FMST 1540}

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^{Note: Cross-listed with FMST 1525}

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^{Format: F2F and Web, available as of Spring 2024}

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^{Format: F2f and Web}

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Film production courses:

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^{Note: Cross-listed with FMST 0802}

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^{Note: Cross-listed with FMST 0805}

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^{Note: Cross-listed with FMST 0830}

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^{Note: Cross-listed with FMST 0826}

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^{Note: Cross-listed with FMST 0835}

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^{Note: Cross-listed with FMST 0845}

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^{Note: Cross-listed with FMST 0850}

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^{Note: Cross-listed with FMST 1885}

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^{Note: Cross-listed with FMST 1860 and ENGWRT 1132}

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^{Note: Cross-listed with FMST 1846}

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^{Note: FMST 1898 may be used in place of CGS 1900 for qualifying students. Consult with a CGS advisor.}

Program Planning Checklist

Use the Digital Media Track checklist (PDF) to plan and track your progress in the major.