The media studies major prepares students for careers as analysts, evaluators and producers of media messages and policies in government and private industry and for graduate education in the social sciences, humanities and law. The curriculum includes courses in media theory, history, law, policy, institutions, industries and culture. Students may gain practical experience at campus media such as KVCU-AM, the CU Sports Magazine weekly television broadcast and the Campus Press student newspaper as well as through internships. In recent years, media studies majors have interned at Free Speech TV, Planned Parenthood of Colorado, Alternative Radio, the David Letterman Show, the Denver mayor’s office, Winter Park Ski Area and the CU athletics department.

Media studies students are strongly encouraged to combine their foundation in media theory with some exposure to media practice, thus the requirement of a minimum of two media theory courses and one media practice course. However, it is possible to fulfill the requirements in the major by selecting three media theory courses from the list below in place of the media practice course. Students should consult with an adviser to determine which alternative is best suited to their goals.

Course Requirements for Media Studies
A total of 120 credit hours with a minimum of 30 hours in journalism and 80 nonjournalism hours are required for graduation. Sixty-five of the 80 nonjournalism hours must be in arts and sciences course work. Forty of the 120 credit hours must be upper-division. Within the 80 credit hours of nonjournalism course work, 12 credit hours must be upper-division hours concentrated in a single area of study or a certified minor. The last 30 hours toward the degree must be taken after admission to the school.

Read the undergraduate application requirements.

New course requirements for students admitted for fall 2006 and after.
If you are a senior you must consult your academic adviser before registration.

Journalism Course Descriptions
Journalism Core Requirements (12 hours)
JOUR 1001 Contemporary Mass Media (Restricted to prejournalism students)
JOUR 2601 Principles of Journalism OR JOUR 2403 Principles of Advertising

After admission to SJMC
Journalism conceptual course
JOUR 4651 Mass Communication Law

Media Studies Core Requirements (6 hours)
JOUR 4301 Media Ethics
JOUR 4321 Media Institutions and Economics

Media Theory Requirements (6-9 hours)
JOUR 2403 Principles of Advertising
JOUR 3771 Mass Media History
JOUR 4201 International Mass Communication
JOUR 4331 Women and Popular Culture
JOUR 4453 Advertising and Society
JOUR 4711 Mass Communication and Culture
JOUR 4871 Special Topics (conceptual only)

Media Practice (0-3 hours; students are strongly encouraged to take ONE of the following)
JOUR 3102 Press Photography
JOUR 3403 Branding and Positioning (JOUR 2403 prerequisite and instructor permission)
JOUR 3453 Advertising Copy & Layout (JOUR 2403 prerequisite and instructor permission)
JOUR 3614 Radio Programming and Production
JOUR 4102 Advanced Photography (JOUR 3102 prerequisite)
JOUR 4272 Public Relations
JOUR 4282 Public Relations Progects (JOUR 4272 prerequisite)
JOUR 4562 Electronic Journalism
JOUR 4802 Editorial and Opinion Writing (instructor permission prerequisite)
JOUR 4802 Magazine Writing (instructor permission prerequisite)
JOUR 4831 Publication Design and Production
JOUR 4872 Digital Newsroom

Journalism Electives and Internships (1-13 hours)
Any JOUR course, including those listed above under Media Theory and Media Practice will fulfill the elective category. Media Studies majors who wish to gain practical experience are also strongly encouraged to do an Internship (JOUR 4931, 1-3 hours) and/or to work for a semester or more for one of the campus media: Campus Press (JOUR 3902, 1-3 hours; (instructor permission prerequisite); KVCU radio; Sports Mag ; Cultural Currents. For internships offered through news editorial, broadcast or advertising, students will need to take additional prerequisites (see major sheet for each sequence's requirements).

Degree requirements are subject to change.

Where recent graduates are working. A partial list of job titles and companies of recent graduates.