Jan 30, 2025

2024-25 Undergraduate Catalog

Media and Communication, BA

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The bachelor’s degree in Media & Communication prepares students to pursue careers in all sectors of the media and communications industry, including advertising/public relations, broadcast journalism, social media, and general communication. Students choose one of the four areas to focus their studies in order to acquire a specialization. The curriculum consists of a balance between applied and theory-based classes that prepare students for positions at advertising agencies, public relations firms, radio and television stations, brand strategy on social media platforms, marketing departments, sports media outlets, and event managing. Indeed, a Media & Communication degree can be applied toward many careers. Whether you choose to work in the U.S. or internationally, this degree gives you the tools for success.

University Core Curriculum Requirements

A. Communication

Three hours from:

ENGL 1301 - Rhetoric and Composition Credit(s): 3
or
ENGL 1303 - Honors Composition: Analysis, Argument and Research Credit(s): 3

Three hours from:

INCM 1305 - International and Intercultural Communication Credit(s): 3
SPCH 1315 - Public Speaking Credit(s): 3
SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication Credit(s): 3
SPCH 2333 - Teamwork and Group Communication Credit(s): 3

B. Mathematics

Three hours from:

MATH 1314 - College Algebra Credit(s): 3
MATH 1324 - Finite Mathematics Credit(s): 3
MATH 1332 - Math in Society Credit(s): 3
MATH 1342 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics Credit(s): 3
MATH 2313 - Calculus I Credit(s): 3

C. Life and Physical Science

Six hours from:

ASTR 1303 - Classical and Modern Astronomy Credit(s): 3
BIOL 1306 - Biology for Science Majors I Credit(s): 3
BIOL 1307 - Biology for Science Majors II Credit(s): 3
BIOL 1308 - Biology for Non-Science Majors I Credit(s): 3
BIOL 1309 - Biology for Non-Science Majors II Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2361 - Plant Form and Function Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2301 - Anatomy and Physiology I Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2381 - Local Flora or Fauna Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1305 - Intro to Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1311 - General Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1312 - General Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1371 - Chemistry and Society Credit(s): 3
ENVR 1301 - Intro to Environmental Science Credit(s): 3
ERTH 1301 - Earth and Society Credit(s): 3
ERTH 1303 - Earth Science Credit(s): 3
ERTH 1304 - Earth Through Time Credit(s): 3
HORT 1131 - Cultivating Plants Lab Credit(s): 1
and
HORT 1231 - Cultivating Plants Credit(s): 2
PHYS 1301 - Mechanics and Heat Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1302 - Electricity, Sound and Light Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1305 - Conceptual Physics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1307 - Conceptual Physics II Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1310 - Fundamentals of Electronics Credit(s): 3
PHYS 2325 - Technical Physics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 2326 - Technical Physics II Credit(s): 3

D. Language, Philosophy and Culture

Three hours from:

ENGL 2309 - Introduction to Mythology Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2322 - British Literature to 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2323 - British Literature from 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2327 - American Literature to 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2328 - American Literature from 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2332 - World Literature to 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2333 - World Literature from 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2335 - Literary Genres Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2341 - Introduction to Literature Credit(s): 3
HIST 2311 - Western Civilization I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2312 - Western Civilization II Credit(s): 3
HIST 2321 - World Civilizations I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2322 - World Civilizations II Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1301 - Introduction to Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1304 - Introduction to World Religions Credit(s): 3
PHIL 2306 - Introduction to Ethics Credit(s): 3

E. Creative Arts

Three hours from:

ARTS 1301 - Art Appreciation Credit(s): 3
ARTS 1303 - Art History I (Prehistoric to the 14th century) Credit(s): 3
ARTS 1304 - Art History II (14th Century to the present) Credit(s): 3
DANC 2303 - Dance Appreciation Credit(s): 3
MUMH 1307 - Intro to Music Literature Credit(s): 3
MUSI 1306 - Music Appreciation Credit(s): 3
DRAM 1310 - Theatre Appreciation Credit(s): 3
DRAM 2366 - Film and Culture Credit(s): 3

F. American History

Six hours from:

HIST 1301 - United States History I Credit(s): 3
HIST 1302 - United States History II Credit(s): 3

G. Government/Political Science

Six hours from:

GOVT 2305 - Federal Government Credit(s): 3
GOVT 2306 - Texas Government Credit(s): 3

H. Social and Behavioral Science

Three hours from:

ANTH 2351 - Cultural Anthropology Credit(s): 3
ECON 2301 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credit(s): 3
ECON 2302 - Principles of Microeconomics Credit(s): 3
FORS 2351 - Introduction to Human Dimensions and Recreation Credit(s): 3
GEOG 1303 - World Regional Geography Credit(s): 3
PSYC 2301 - General Psychology Credit(s): 3
SOCI 1301 - Introduction to Sociology Credit(s): 3

I. Component Area Option

Three hours from:

ENGL 1302 - Research and Argument Credit(s): 3

Three hours from:

FREN 1311 - Elementary French I Credit(s): 3
FREN 1312 - Elementary French II Credit(s): 3
GERM 1311 - Elementary German I Credit(s): 3
GERM 1312 - Elementary German II Credit(s): 3
PORT 1311 - Elementary Portuguese I Credit(s): 3
PORT 1312 - Elementary Portuguese II Credit(s): 3
SPAN 1311 - Elementary Spanish I Credit(s): 3
SPAN 1312 - Elementary Spanish II Credit(s): 3

Foundation of Knowledge

A. Language Proficiency

Complete foreign language proficiency through the 2312 level.

Nine hours from:

FREN 1311 - Elementary French I Credit(s): 3
FREN 1312 - Elementary French II Credit(s): 3
FREN 2311 - Intermediate French I Credit(s): 3
FREN 2312 - Intermediate French II Credit(s): 3
GERM 1311 - Elementary German I Credit(s): 3
GERM 1312 - Elementary German II Credit(s): 3
GERM 2311 - Intermediate German I Credit(s): 3
GERM 2312 - Intermediate German II Credit(s): 3
PORT 1311 - Elementary Portuguese I Credit(s): 3
PORT 1312 - Elementary Portuguese II Credit(s): 3
PORT 2311 - Intermediate Portuguese I Credit(s): 3
PORT 2312 - Intermediate Portuguese II Credit(s): 3
SPAN 1311 - Elementary Spanish I Credit(s): 3
SPAN 1312 - Elementary Spanish II Credit(s): 3
SPAN 2311 - Intermediate Spanish I Credit(s): 3
SPAN 2312 - Intermediate Spanish II Credit(s): 3

B. Additional Humanities

The course selected must be a different prefix than the course used to complete D. Language, Philosophy and Culture.

Three hours from:

PHIL 1301 - Introduction to Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1304 - Introduction to World Religions Credit(s): 3
PHIL 2303 - Introduction to Formal Logic Credit(s): 3
PHIL 2306 - Introduction to Ethics Credit(s): 3
HIST 2311 - Western Civilization I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2312 - Western Civilization II Credit(s): 3
HIST 2321 - World Civilizations I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2322 - World Civilizations II Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2309 - Introduction to Mythology Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2322 - British Literature to 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2323 - British Literature from 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2327 - American Literature to 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2328 - American Literature from 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2332 - World Literature to 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2333 - World Literature from 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2335 - Literary Genres Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2341 - Introduction to Literature Credit(s): 3

Media and Communication Major

The Media and Communication major consists of a set of four required courses and one of the following concentrations.

Advertising/Public Relations
Broadcast Journalism
Communication
Social Media

Note: Any deviation from the concentration electives listed must be approved in writing by the academic advisor and the department unit head.

Required Courses

12 hours from:

MCOM 1307 - Survey of Mass Communication Credit(s): 3
MCOM 2311 - Media Writing Credit(s): 3
MCOM 3306 - Media Law Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4306 - Media Ethics Credit(s): 3

Media and Communication Concentrations

Advertising and Public Relations Concentration

Required Courses

MCOM 2327 - Advertising Principles Credit(s): 3
MCOM 2330 - Public Relations Principles Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4370 - Strategic Advertising And Public Relations Credit(s): 3

Industry Courses

Nine hours from:

MCOM 3308 - Advertising Cases and Campaigns Credit(s): 3
MCOM 3377 - Graphic Design for Media Credit(s): 3
MCOM 3381 - Public Relations Writing Credit(s): 3
MCOM 3382 - Public Relations Case Studies Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4301 - Topics in Media Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4309 - Media Sales Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4351 - Advertising And Promotion For Social Media Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4355 - Media and Politics Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4365 - Meet The Media Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4371 - Advertising Media Planning Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4375 - Topics In Public Relations Credit(s): 3

Agency Courses

Six hours from:

MCOM 3383 - Public Relations Campaigns Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4376 - Public Relations Audiences and Analysis Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4378 - Advanced Advertising I Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4379 - Advanced Advertising II Credit(s): 3

Broadcast Journalism Concentration

Required Courses

MCOM 1336 - Introduction to Video Production Credit(s): 3
MCOM 2303 - Audio Production Techniques Credit(s): 3

Broadcast Journalism Option

Three hours from:

MCOM 1337 - Broadcast Production Credit(s): 3
MCOM 3305 - Multimedia Journalism Credit(s): 3

Production Courses

Nine hours from:

MCOM 1316 - Photojournalism Credit(s): 3
MCOM 1337 - Broadcast Production Credit(s): 3
MCOM 2339 - Scriptwriting Credit(s): 3
MCOM 3301 - Editing in a Converged Newsroom Credit(s): 3
MCOM 3305 - Multimedia Journalism Credit(s): 3
MCOM 3309 - Feature Writing Credit(s): 3
MCOM 3320 - Sports Writing Credit(s): 3
MCOM 3350 - Photo Editing and Pagination Credit(s): 3
MCOM 3353 - Social Media Content Production Credit(s): 3
MCOM 3376 - Broadcast Performance Credit(s): 3
MCOM 3377 - Graphic Design for Media Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4313 - Column And Editorial Writing Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4320 - Broadcast Capstone Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4340 - Backpack Journalism Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4350 - Advanced Photojournalism Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4356 - Advanced Television Production Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4357 - Video and Broadcast Graphics Credit(s): 3

Industry Courses

Six hours from:

MCOM 2327 - Advertising Principles Credit(s): 3
MCOM 2330 - Public Relations Principles Credit(s): 3
MCOM 3342 - Radio-Television Programming Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4301 - Topics in Media Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4309 - Media Sales Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4330 - New Media Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4355 - Media and Politics Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4360 - Media Management Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4365 - Meet The Media Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4380 - Media Internship Credit(s): 3

Communication Concentration

Required Courses

COMM 3300 - Introduction to Media Studies Credit(s): 3
COMM 3311 - Persuasion Credit(s): 3
COMM 3375 - Introduction to Organizational Communication Credit(s): 3
COMM 4335 - Intercultural Communication Credit(s): 3

Communication Electives

Twelve hours from:

COMM 3355 - Health Communication Credit(s): 3
COMM 3390 - Communication Internship Credit(s): 3 or 6
COMM 4195 - Directed Study in Communication Credit(s): 1 to 3
COMM 4300 - Advanced Media Studies Credit(s): 3
COMM 4301 - Topics in Communication Credit(s): 3
COMM 4308 - Principles of Leadership Credit(s): 3
COMM 4315 - Political Communication Credit(s): 3
COMM 4360 - Issues Management and Crisis Response Credit(s): 3
COMM 4370 - Advanced Interpersonal Communication Credit(s): 3
COMM 4375 - Advanced Organizational Communication Credit(s): 3

Social Media Concentration

Required Concentration Courses

MCOM 2351 - Introduction to Social Media Credit(s): 3
MCOM 3351 - Social Media Strategies Credit(s): 3
MCOM 3352 - Social Media Case Studies Credit(s): 3
MCOM 3353 - Social Media Content Production Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4351 - Advertising And Promotion For Social Media Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4352 - Future Technology Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4354 - Social Media Analytics Credit(s): 3

Social Media Electives

Three hours from:

MCOM 3377 - Graphic Design for Media Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4301 - Topics in Media Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4309 - Media Sales Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4365 - Meet The Media Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4380 - Media Internship Credit(s): 3

Minor Option

Students may choose to minor within the major, colloquially referred to as a “Super Major,” by completing twelve (12) additional MCOM hours as approved by the academic advisor, nine (9) of which must be advanced hours. Students may also minor outside of the major by completing 18- to 23- hours, including nine (9) advanced hours with at least six (6) advanced at SFASU.

General Electives

The student may be required to complete additional elective hours to complete the degree. University Core Curriculum co-requisite lab hours will be applied to this area of the degree.

Degree Total Hours: 120

Double-dipping Rule

Double-dipping is using the same course to fulfill two different requirements in a degree plan. Normally, students may not double-dip more than six to seven hours across their degree plan. Anything beyond that must be approved by the dean.

Writing Requirement

All students completing a degree program in the College of Liberal and Applied Arts must meet the standards for writing in the discipline set by their major. Students should see their departmental advisor for those standards.

College Advanced Hours

A minimum of 33 hours of advanced coursework (courses numbered 3000-4999) is required.

Grade Requirements

A grade of at least C in each first-year English course (ENGL 1301 , ENGL 1302 )
A C average in work completed in the major field
A C average in work completed in the minor field

The required averages are based on those SFA courses taken in each category that are included in the student’s official degree plan (CAPP). Transfer and advanced placement coursework are not included in GPA calculations.

In-Residence Requirement

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Undergraduate degrees require at least 25% semester credit hours completed in-residence.

Undergraduate degrees with 120 hours total degree program hours require a minimum of 30 advanced (upper level) in-residence semester credit hours. The in-residence hour requirement will be fulfilled as part of the individual discipline major, which includes as least 12 advanced in-residence semester credit hours. Minor requirements also may contribute to the total in-residence hours as at least six advanced in-residence semester credit hours are required. The balance of in-resident hours will be fulfilled through additional advanced semester credit hours and may include further major and minor coursework.

Undergraduate degrees with more than 120 total degree program hour requirements will ensure semester credit hours for the specific discipline include at least 25% of total semester credit hours in-residence.

View HOP policy 02-214.

Texas Success Initiative Program

All students must satisfy provisions of the Texas Success Initiative program. See the TSI information catalog page.

Degree Map

The following is the recommended sequence of course completion for this degree.

Freshman

Fall

ENGL 1301 - Rhetoric and Composition Credit(s): 3
A. Communication (Speech Option) Credit(s): 3
B. Mathematics Credit(s): 3
HIST 1301 - United States History I Credit(s): 3
MCOM 1307 - Survey of Mass Communication Credit(s): 3

Spring

ENGL 1302 - Research and Argument Credit(s): 3
C. Life and Physical Science (w/lab) Credit(s): 3-4
E. Creative Arts Credit(s): 3
HIST 1302 - United States History II Credit(s): 3
Required Course (Concentration of choice) Credit(s): 3

Sophomore

Fall

C. Life and Physical Science (w/lab) Credit(s): 3-4
D. Languge, Philosophy and Culture
I. Component Area Option Credit(s): 3
MCOM 2311 - Media Writing Credit(s): 3
Required or elective course for concentration Credit(s): 3

Spring

GOVT 2305 - Federal Government Credit(s): 3
H. Social and Behavioral Science Credit(s): 3
Language Requirement Credit(s): 3-4
Additional Humanities Credit(s): 3
Required or elective course for concentration Credit(s): 3

Junior

“Advanced” means 3000 or 4000 level course

Fall

GOVT 2306 - Texas Government Credit(s): 3
Language Requirement Credit(s): 3
MCOM 3306 - Media Law Credit(s): 3
Required or elective course for concentration Credit(s): 3
Minor or elective course as advised Credit(s): 3

Spring

Language Requirement Credit(s): 3
Required or elective course for concentration Credit(s): 6
Minor or elective as advised Credit(s): 3
MCOM 4306 - Media Ethics Credit(s): 3

Senior

Fall

Required or elective course for concentration Credit(s): 3
Minor or elective as advised Credit(s): 6
General Elective(s) Credit(s): 6

Spring

Required or elective course for concentration Credit(s): 3
Minor or elective as advised Credit(s): 6
General Elective(s) Credit(s): 6