Mass Communication B.A./B.S.
Objectives
The study of Mass Communication prepares students for careers in news reporting and editing for digital media, newspapers, television, public relations, and other mass media. The department’s graduates usually take jobs with businesses, government agencies, professional, and non-profit organizations. Other graduates enter advertising or areas of specialized communication such as writing about medicine, technology, or business. Still others are choosing careers in “new media,” interactive computer systems, and information distribution. The Mass Communication major is excellent preparation for law school.
The department offers the B.A. and B.S. in Mass Communication, and the B.A. and B.S. in Communication Studies and the Master of Arts in Communication. The B.A. requires a foreign language sequence. The B.S. requires a set of courses in geography, economics, computer science, mathematics and/or science in place of the foreign language. The study in Mass Communication should be part of a broad and flexible education and the total educational experience is more important than any single part of it. Accordingly, more than seventy percent of a major’s work must be done outside of mass communication.
Students desiring teacher certification in Mass Communication or Speech Communication (Communication Studies) for Texas secondary schools must meet additional requirements that vary according to whether mass communication/speech communication is their first or second teaching field.
Options
- B.A. in Mass Communication: 36 hours in mass communication, 24 of which must be upper division; 18 hours in a minor; 12-14 hours of a foreign language.
- B.S. in Mass Communication: 36 hours in mass communication, 24 of which must be upper division; 18 hours in a minor; six hours of mathematics, science, economics, geography and/or computer science, in addition to those otherwise counted as lower-division preparation.
- Minor in Mass Communication: 18 hours in mass communication, 12 of which must be upper division.
- Teacher Certification
- Minor in Graphic Design: 18 hours of coursework, comprised of 15 hours of required courses in mass communication and 3 hours electives.
- Minor in Sports Communication: 18 hours of coursework, comprised of 12 hours of required courses in mass communication and communication studies and 3 hours in sports marketing and 3 hours electives.
Degree Requirements
Total Semester Credit Hours=120
University Core Curriculum (42 hrs.)
A minimum grade of "C" in all mass communication courses
36 hours of Mass Communication, 24 of which must be upper-division, and 12 of these 24 upper-division hours must be taken at UT Tyler.
Mass Communication Core: (15 hours)
MCOM 2306, MCOM 2311, and MCOM 2313: must be taken within the first nine (9) hours of mass communication courses.
MCOM 2306: students demonstrating competency may substitute an additional three hours of mass communication electives.
Electives, which include 12-14 hours of foreign language (the student may also complete this foreign language requirement by passing a written examination approved by the foreign language faculty).
Minor: at least 18 hrs. in a single related discipline, 12 of which must be upper-division, to be chosen in consultation with the student's major advisor.
Multimedia Journalism Option - Outside Required Courses (9 hours)
Competency: Argument
Choose 3 hours from:
| CMST 1315 | Introduction to Public Speaking [TCCN: SPCH 1315] | |
Competency: Analysis and Systematic Inquiry
3 hours:
Competency: Complex Organization
Choose 3 hours from:
Multimedia Journalism Option: (21 hours)
Competency: Writing/Storytelling (12 UD hours)
Required 3 hours:
Choose 9 hours from:
Competency: Diversity/Human Relations (3 hours)
Competency: Mediated Presentation (6 UD hours)
Total Multimedia Journalism Option - 36 Sem. Credit Hrs.
Public Relations/Integrated Communication - Outside Required: (9 hours)
Competency: Argument
Choose 3 hours from:
| CMST 1315 | Introduction to Public Speaking [TCCN: SPCH 1315] | |
Competency: Complex Organization
Choose 3 hours from:
Competency: Diversity/Human Relations
Choose 3 hours from:
Total PR/Integrated Communication Outside Required - 9 Sem. Credit Hrs.
Public Relations/Integrated Communication Option: (21 hours)
Competency: Analysis and Systematic Inquiry (9 UD hours)
| MCOM 2375 | Introduction to Public Relations [TCCN: COMM 2330] | |
| | or | |
| MCOM 2340 | Introduction to Advertising [TCCN: COMM 2327] | |
| MCOM 4363 | Public Relations Case Studies | |
| MCOM 4365 | Public Relations Campaigns | |
Competency: Writing/Storytelling: (6 UD hours)
| MCOM 3395 | Writing for Public Relations and Advertising | |
Choose 3 hours from:
Competency: Mediated Presentation: (6 UD hours)
Total Public Relation/Integrated Communication Option - 36 Sem. Credit Hrs.
Recommended Four-Year Curriculum - BA Mass Communication, Multimedia Journalism Option
Freshman Year
First Semester (15 hrs.)
| | Communication (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Mathematics (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Creative Arts (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| MCOM 2307 | Mass Media and Society [TCCN: COMM 1307] | |
| MCOM 2306 | Media Design and Production | |
Second Semester (15 hrs.)
| | Communication (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Life and Physical Sciences (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| MCOM 2313 | Introduction to Multimedia Production | |
| CMST 1315 | Introduction to Public Speaking [TCCN: SPCH 1315] | |
| POLS 2305 | Introductory American Government [TCCN: GOVT 2305] | |
Sophomore Year
First Semester (15 hrs.)
| | American History (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Life and Physical Sciences (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| SPAN 1611 | Accelerated Spanish I | |
| MCOM 2311 | Writing for Mass Media [TCCN: COMM 2311] | |
Second Semester (15 hrs.)
Junior Year
First Semester (15 hrs.)
| | MCOM 33XX-43XX Mediated Presentation Competency (3 hours) | |
| MCOM 3301 | Feature Writing | |
| MCOM 3390 | Mass Communication Theory | |
| | Human Expression (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| CMST 2310 | Introduction to Research Methods | |
Second Semester (15 hrs.)
| MCOM 3318 | Media Law and Ethics | |
| | STEM (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Social and Behavioral Science (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Minor (3 hours) | |
| | CMST 33XX-43XX MCOM-Outside Required-Complex Organization Competency (3 hours) | |
Senior Year
First Semester (15 hrs.)
| MCOM 4325 | Multimedia Writing and Storytelling | |
| | Upper division elective (3 hours) | |
| | Language, Philosophy and Culture (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Minor (3 hours) | |
| | Minor (3 hours) | |
Second Semester (15 hrs.)
| MCOM 4332 | Advanced Multimedia News | |
| | MCOM 33XX-43XX Mediated Presentation Competency (3 hours) | |
| | Minor (3 hours) | |
| | Minor (3 hours) | |
| | Minor (3 hours) | |
Recommended Four-Year Curriculum - BS Mass Communication, Multimedia Journalism Option
Freshman Year
First Semester (15 hrs.)
| | Communication (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Mathematics (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Creative Arts (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| MCOM 2307 | Mass Media and Society [TCCN: COMM 1307] | |
| MCOM 2306 | Media Design and Production | |
Second Semester (15 hrs.)
| | Communication (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Life and Physical Sciences (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| MCOM 2313 | Introduction to Multimedia Production | |
| CMST 1315 | Introduction to Public Speaking [TCCN: SPCH 1315] | |
| POLS 2305 | Introductory American Government [TCCN: GOVT 2305] | |
Sophomore Year
First Semester (15 hrs.)
| | American History (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Life and Physical Sciences (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | BS Requirement (3 hours) | |
| MCOM 2311 | Writing for Mass Media [TCCN: COMM 2311] | |
| | Elective (3 hours) | |
Second Semester (15 hrs.)
| HIST 1302 | United States History II [TCCN: HIST 1302] | |
| POLS 2306 | Introductory Texas Politics [TCCN: GOVT 2306] | |
| MCOM 3303 | News Writing | |
| | BS Requirement (3 hours) | |
| | Elective (3 hours) | |
Junior Year
First Semester (15 hrs.)
| | MCOM 33XX-43XX Mediated Presentation Competency (3 hours) | |
| MCOM 3301 | Feature Writing | |
| MCOM 3390 | Mass Communication Theory | |
| | Human Expression (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| CMST 2310 | Introduction to Research Methods | |
Second Semester (15 hrs.)
| MCOM 3318 | Media Law and Ethics | |
| | STEM (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Social and Behavioral Science (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Minor (3 hours) | |
| | CMST 33XX-43XX MCOM-Outside Required-Complex Organization Competency (3 hours) | |
Senior Year
First Semester (15 hrs.)
| MCOM 4325 | Multimedia Writing and Storytelling | |
| | Upper division elective (3 hours) | |
| | Language, Philosophy and Culture (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Minor (3 hours) | |
| | Minor (3 hours) | |
Second Semester (15 hrs.)
| MCOM 4332 | Advanced Multimedia News | |
| | MCOM 33XX-43XX Mediated Presentation Competency (3 hours) | |
| | Minor (3 hours) | |
| | Minor (3 hours) | |
| | Minor (3 hours) | |
Recommended Four-Year Curriculum - BA Mass Communication, Public Relations/Integrated Communication Option
Freshman Year
First Semester (15 hrs.)
| | Communication (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Mathematics (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Creative Arts (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| MCOM 2307 | Mass Media and Society [TCCN: COMM 1307] | |
| | Social and Behavioral Science (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
Second Semester (15 hrs.)
| | Communication (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Life and Physical Sciences (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Human Expression (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| CMST 1315 | Introduction to Public Speaking [TCCN: SPCH 1315] | |
| POLS 2305 | Introductory American Government [TCCN: GOVT 2305] | |
Sophomore Year
First Semester (15 hrs.)
| | American History (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Life and Physical Sciences (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| SPAN 1611 | Accelerated Spanish I | |
| | Language, Philosophy and Culture (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
Second Semester (15 hrs.)
Junior Year
First Semester (15 hrs.)
| | CMST 33XX-43XX MCOM-Outside Required-Complex Organization Competency (3 hours) | |
| MCOM 2311 | Writing for Mass Media [TCCN: COMM 2311] | |
| MCOM 2375 | Introduction to Public Relations [TCCN: COMM 2330] | |
| MCOM 2313 | Introduction to Multimedia Production | |
| | Minor (3 hours) | |
Second Semester (15 hrs.)
| MCOM 3318 | Media Law and Ethics | |
| | STEM (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Upper division elective (3 hours) | |
| | MCOM 33XX-43XX Mediated Presentation Competency (3 hours) | |
| MCOM 3395 | Writing for Public Relations and Advertising | |
Senior Year
First Semester (15 hrs.)
Second Semester (15 hrs.)
| | MCOM 33XX-43XX Mediated Presentation Competency (3 hours) | |
| MCOM 4365 | Public Relations Campaigns | |
| | Minor (3 hours) | |
| | Minor (3 hours) | |
| | Minor (3 hours) | |
Recommended Four-Year Curriculum - BS Mass Communication, Public Relations/Integrated Communication Option
Freshman Year
First Semester (15 hrs.)
| | Communication (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Mathematics (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Creative Arts (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| MCOM 2307 | Mass Media and Society [TCCN: COMM 1307] | |
| | Social and Behavioral Science (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
Second Semester (15 hrs.)
| | Communication (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Life and Physical Sciences (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Human Expression (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| CMST 1315 | Introduction to Public Speaking [TCCN: SPCH 1315] | |
| POLS 2305 | Introductory American Government [TCCN: GOVT 2305] | |
Sophomore Year
First Semester (15 hrs.)
| | American History (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Life and Physical Sciences (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | BS Requirement (3 hours) | |
| | Language, Philosophy and Culture (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| MCOM 2313 | Introduction to Multimedia Production | |
Second Semester (15 hrs.)
| HIST 1302 | United States History II [TCCN: HIST 1302] | |
| POLS 2306 | Introductory Texas Politics [TCCN: GOVT 2306] | |
| | BS Requirement (3 hours) | |
| MCOM 2306 | Media Design and Production | |
| | Elective (3 hours) | |
Junior Year
First Semester (15 hrs.)
| | CMST 33XX-43XX MCOM-Outside Required-Complex Organization Competency (3 hours) | |
| MCOM 2311 | Writing for Mass Media [TCCN: COMM 2311] | |
| MCOM 2375 | Introduction to Public Relations [TCCN: COMM 2330] | |
| | Elective (3 hours) | |
| | Minor (3 hours) | |
Second Semester (15 hrs.)
| MCOM 3318 | Media Law and Ethics | |
| | STEM (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Upper division elective (3 hours) | |
| | MCOM 33XX-43XX Mediated Presentation Competency (3 hours) | |
| MCOM 3395 | Writing for Public Relations and Advertising | |
Senior Year
First Semester (15 hrs.)
Second Semester (15 hrs.)
| | MCOM 33XX-43XX Mediated Presentation Competency (3 hours) | |
| MCOM 4365 | Public Relations Campaigns | |
| | Minor (3 hours) | |
| | Minor (3 hours) | |
| | Minor (3 hours) | |