First-Year Students

How do you communicate creatively?

For us, it’s through data, words, strategy, media. It’s sharing a story—a message—and creating ways to inform and connect.

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CMDI offers seven undergraduate majors to prepare students with the expertise and versatility they will need to thrive in a rapidly evolving communication landscape.

Students learn to collaborate effectively in groups, leverage resources and develop new understandings of how people interact with each other, media and technology.

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Explore Undergraduate Programs

Each degree at CMDI is designed for creators, connectors and problem solvers.
 

BA: Communication

Visit the Department of Communication →

Think critically, overcome challenges and lead confidently as you harness communication to inspire change and solve problems.

BA: Journalism

Visit the Department of Journalism →

Develop reporting skills and learn to influence discourse by discovering and telling compelling, trustworthy, verified stories.

BA: Media Production

Visit the Department of Critical Media Practices →

Discover your vision as you build meaningful productions and understand the opportunities available to creators. 

BA: Media Studies

Visit the Department of Media Studies →

Advance ideas, trends, advocacy and thoughtful criticism through a set of skills built for our media-saturated world.

B.Envd: Environmental Design

Visit the Department of Environmental Design →

Shape the way we live, work and play by reimagining how design connects people with the built and natural worlds.

BS: Information Science

Visit the Department of Information Science →

Analyze the relationships between people, data and technology as you generate creative solutions to complex social issues.

BS: Strategic Communication

Visit the Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Design →

An emphasis on project work alongside clients in advertising and PR ensures you graduate with in-demand skills. 

Ready to start?

In addition to our majors, CMDI offers eight interdisciplinary minors, including the minor in sports media, and a series of certificate programs. The college also offers dedicated study away programs in Washington, Europe and South America. 

Opportunities in CMDI

Students in Radio 1190

Be Involved

Our approach is one of connection— how people connect to the built environment, to technology, to the media and to one another. Our college is a lively creative hub with dozens of student clubs in design, technology, journalism, advertising and more. We offer unique opportunities to study in media and cultural capitals in the U.S., South America and Europe.

Be Involved ​

 

Student Work

At CMDI, you can start creating work you’re proud of from day one. Through hands-on projects and other opportunities, you will develop a range of skills while building your portfolio. Check out our student media gallery to get an idea of what you can create.

View the Gallery 

Collage of student work

The Vault

 

Equipment / Labs

As a CMDI student, you will gain access to podcasting booths, broadcasting studios, an immersive media lab, equipment vaults and more.  The equipment vaults"include hundreds of cameras, audio and light equipment, along with other gear, available for all CMDI students to check out free to rent. Develop your portfolio and experience by learning and practicing various brands and styles.

See the equipment website for details →

Finding your herd

The transition to college life is exciting—but it can also be intimidating. In CommRAP—the Communication and Society Residential Academic Program—you will immediately find a sense of community, making friends and getting connected to important university resources. You will live, study, take classes, create and enjoy social events in your residence hall as you make Boulder your home. 

Environmental design students are automatically assigned to housing in a special living-learning community in Willard Hall. Other CMDI majors can elect to live in CommRAP, in Buckingham Hall.

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Learn more about CMCI

Applying to CMDI

We are excited you are considering CU Boulder. As you prepare your application, some important factors for you to consider include understanding our holistic admission review process, cost and funding opportunities, necessary components for a completed application, and next steps after you apply.
 

Visit Programs

See for yourself if this is the right fit for you by joining CU Boulder and CMDI events. Visit opportunities range from general campus tours to full-day admissions events, and from CMDI-specific half-day events to personalized CMDI visits. Below are some of the options available for the 2023-24 academic year:

Connect With Us

Reach out to your admission counselor, browse tips from our admissions counselors, find out when we will be visiting your area and connect with us @FutureBuffs on social.