This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
The Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture offers a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications with concentrations in one of four areas: advertising, journalism, media production or public relations. The journalism concentration provides students with the skills and practice necessary for careers in the news media.
Student learning outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will know how to do the following:
Mass communications core learning outcomes
- Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communication professions in which they work
- Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness
- Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communication professions in which they work
- Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts
- Think critically, creatively and independently
- Demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications
- Understand and apply the principles and laws appropriate to the communication professions in which they work, including copyright and trademark law
- Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of groups in a global society in relationship to communications
- Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically
- Understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information
Journalism/broadcast concentration-specific outcome
- Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for broadcast journalismprofessions, audiences and purposes they serve
Special requirements
Theoverview sectionof the Robertson School of Media and Culture explains the requirements for students to be admitted to, and remain in, the foundation program or a specific concentration in the school.
Students must earn a total of 45 credits in classes at the 300-level and above, including upper-level mass communications course work. To graduate from the mass communications program, students must have a cumulative and major GPA of 2.5 and must earn a minimum grade of C in their senior-level capstone courses. The mass communications curriculum includes the foundation and specific concentrations.
Foundation course work for journalism students
MASC101andMASC203, each with a minimum grade of C; and completion of general education coursesUNIV111, UNIV112, POLI103,ECON203,STAT208or STAT210, and a course from the scientific and logical reasoning area of inquiry.Completion of both ECON210 and ECON211 may substitute for ECON203.
To enroll in MASC203, students must receive departmental permission.
To enroll in a mass communications course, majors must have earned a minimum grade of C in all courses prerequisite for that course.
Degree requirements for Mass Communications, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in journalism/broadcast
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General education | ||
| Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. | 30 | |
| Major requirements | ||
| • Major core requirements | ||
| MASC101 | Mass Communications | 3 |
| MASC274 | Diversity in the Media | 3 |
| MASC300 | Technical Prowess | 3 |
| MASC380 | Media and Culture | 3 |
| MASC390 | Ethical Problems in Mass Media | 3 |
| MASC408 | Communications Law | 3 |
| MASC493 | Fieldwork/Internship | 3 |
| MASC499 | Career Minded | 3 |
| • Concentration requirements | ||
| MASC203 | Journalism Writing | 3 |
| MASC303 | Reporting for Print and Web | 3 |
| MASC363 | Introduction to Broadcast Writing | 3 |
| MASC367 | Beginning Media Production | 3 |
| MASC415 | Advanced Media Production | 3 |
| MASC460 | Advanced Television Newsgathering | 3 |
| MASC465 | Newscasting | 6 |
| • Major electives | ||
| MASC electives (300-400 level) | 6 | |
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| ECON203 | Introduction to Economics (satisfies general education BOK for social/behavioral sciences and AOI for global perspectives) 1 | 3 |
| ENGL215 | Reading Literature (Note: not all options satisfy general education BOK for humanities/fine art and AOI creativity, innovation and aesthetic inquiry) | 3 |
| orENGL201 | Western World Literature I | |
| orENGL202 | Western World Literature II | |
| orENGL203 | British Literature I | |
| orENGL204 | British Literature II | |
| orENGL205 | American Literature I | |
| orENGL206 | American Literature II | |
| orENGL211 | Contemporary World Literature | |
| orENGL217 | Reading New Literature | |
| orENGL236 | Women in Literature | |
| orENGL250 | Reading Film | |
| orENGL291 | Topics in Literature | |
| orENGL295 | Introduction to Creative Writing | |
| orNEXT240 | Reading Technology, Media and Culture | |
| HIST103 &HIST104 | Survey of American History I and Survey of American History II | 6 |
| HUMS202 | Choices in a Consumer Society | 1 |
| POLI103 | U.S. Government and Politics (satisfies general education AOI for diversities in the human experience) | 3 |
| STAT208 | Statistical Thinking (either satisfies general education quantitative foundations) | 3 |
| orSTAT210 | Basic Practice of Statistics | |
| POLI or URSP course (300 level or higher) | 3 | |
| Experiential fine arts 2 | 1-3 | |
| Foreign language through the 102 level (by course or placement) | 0-6 | |
| History course (300 level or higher) | 3 | |
| Literature course (300-level or above) except ENGL/TEDU386 or TEDU387 | 3 | |
| Open electives | ||
| Select any course. | 11-19 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
1
Completion of both ECON 210 and ECON 211 may substitute for ECON 203; ECON 210 satisfies the same general education categories.
2
Courses offered by the School of the Arts
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.
| Freshman year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
| MASC101 | Mass Communications | 3 |
| MATH131 or MATH141 | Introduction to Contemporary Mathematics (either is a prerequisite for STAT208; counts as open elective) or Algebra with Applications | 3 |
| UNIV111 Play course video for Focused Inquiry I | Focused Inquiry I (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course (select BOK for natural sciences and AOI for scientific and logical reasoning) | 3-4 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15-16 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ECON203 | Introduction to Economics (satisfies general education AOI for global perspectives) | 3 |
| HIST103 | Survey of American History I | 3 |
| HUMS202 | Choices in a Consumer Society | 1 |
| POLI103 | U.S. Government and Politics (satisfies general education AOI for diversities in the human experience) | 3 |
| UNIV112 Play course video for Focused Inquiry II | Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| Experiential fine arts | 2-3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15-16 | |
| Sophom*ore year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| ENGL215 or NEXT240 | Reading Literature (either satisfies general education BOK for humanities/fine arts and AOI for creativity, innovation and aesthetic inquiry) or Reading Technology, Media and Culture | 3 |
| MASC203 | Journalism Writing | 3 |
| STAT208 or STAT210 | Statistical Thinking (either satisfies general education quantitative foundations) or Basic Practice of Statistics | 3 |
| UNIV200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| Foreign language 101 | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| HIST104 | Survey of American History II | 3 |
| MASC274 | Diversity in the Media | 3 |
| MASC300 | Technical Prowess | 3 |
| MASC303 | Reporting for Print and Web | 3 |
| Foreign language 102 | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| MASC363 | Introduction to Broadcast Writing | 3 |
| MASC367 | Beginning Media Production | 3 |
| MASC380 | Media and Culture | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| History course (300-level or above) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| MASC415 | Advanced Media Production | 3 |
| MASC460 | Advanced Television Newsgathering | 3 |
| MASC elective (300-400 level) | 3 | |
| POLI or URSP course (300-level or higher) | 3 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| MASC408 | Communications Law | 3 |
| MASC465 | Newscasting | 6 |
| MASC elective (300-400 level) | 3 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| MASC390 | Ethical Problems in Mass Media | 3 |
| MASC493 | Fieldwork/Internship | 3 |
| MASC499 | Career Minded | 3 |
| Literature course (300-level or above) except ENGL/TEDU386 or ENGL 387 | 3 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Total Hours: | 120-122 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
