Mass Media

Policies

Admission to major or minors is granted by the department. Contact the department for application procedures.

Proficiency in English grammar, spelling, composition and keyboarding is essential for admission. The department requires students complete ENG 101 and MASS 110 with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent courses). Overall GPA will be considered in determining admission status. Students not meeting minimum requirements may petition the faculty in writing to seek admission. 

No student entering a Mass Media program may take courses beyond MASS 110, MASS 112, MASS 260 & MASS 412 unless he/she has met the stated requirements. Students seeking entry into a major or minor must present evidence of their satisfactory fulfillment of requirements.

In preparation for undertaking a major in Mass Media, students should consider taking ECON 100, GEOG 103, ETHN 100, POL 371, PSYC 101, SOC 150, and SOC 101.

GPA Policy. Majors must earn a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better in all Mass Media coursework. Refer to the College regarding required advising for students on academic probation. 

P/N Grading Policy. Mass Media majors are required to take department courses for a letter grade, except for MASS 498, which must be taken P/N.

Transferring into Mass Media. Students considering transferring into a Mass Media program need to be aware of department admission requirements, including prerequisite courses and GPA. Students should contact the department as early as possible to ensure a smooth transfer. Failure to plan ahead may delay or preclude admission to the program.

Transfer Credit. The department accepts no more than 13 credits from other colleges and universities as transfer credits to be applied toward the major. They must be taken in courses that match or are the equivalent of courses that are either offered by the department or allowed by it for elective credit.

Internships. Opportunities for Mass Media internships exist on and off campus for junior and senior majors who want to work in professional settings. The internship must be done under professional supervision and is taken only after the student has (1) completed all prerequisite courses; (2) submitted a department internship contract signed by the student, the student’s internship supervisor and the department chair.

Filing a Program. By the end of the sophomore year the student, through individual consultation with a department advisor, should complete and file with the department a proposed program. 

The department recommends students develop programs of study  complementary to their major in Mass Media. Students interested in news writing are encouraged to minor in courses in liberal arts, such as art, English, literature, modern language, history, humanities, philosophy, or political science. Students interested in public relations are encouraged to minor in courses in business administration, art, communication studies, marketing, English, psychology, or sociology.

Communication Facilities. In addition to fully equipped modern computerized classrooms, the Department of Mass Media has access to a broad range of on-campus facilities that provide students practical experience. Students majoring in Mass Media may contribute to producing a student-oriented campus newspaper, The Reporter, and programming for KMSU-FM radio. 

Advising and Guidance. The key to the department’s selective approach to mass media education is its advising and guidance program. Students are encouraged to choose a department advisor. Working closely with this faculty person, students develop academic programs that relate to their needs, interests and career aspirations.

Minor: All policies pertaining to mass media majors also apply to the mass media minor, including standards for granting admission to the minor, GPA and P/N grading policies. 

ADVOCACY MINOR POLICIES

Admission: Successful completion of ENG 101W and MASS 110.

Double-Counting Credits: Students majoring in Mass Media or Communication Studies may not double-count courses within the Advocacy minor.

Internships. Internships are P/N option only.

GPA Policy. Students must earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in all coursework for the minor.

Internship and Individual Study: Students are limited to a total of four credits among the following courses: CMST 498, CMST 499, MASS 498, and MASS 499. Any Internship or individual study must have an advocacy focus approved by their advisor.