Journalism & Media Communication

Journalism & Media Communication

Bachelor degree
48 months
Application deadlines: February 1
Processing time: 27 days
Application fee: $50
Full-time
Intakes: August 26
International tuition: $30,621
Domestic tuition: $11,900

Program overview

The study of journalism, mass communication, and specialized media combines high-level professional training with a broad foundation in the liberal arts. All students complete a common 21-credit core, including writing, multimedia, and conceptual courses, as well as a capstone course and an internship. Students work closely with a faculty advisor to select an additional 19 credits in a focus area crafted to match their career interests. Practical experience can be gained on the staffs of the daily Rocky Mountain Collegian, the award-winning campus television station Collegian TV, College Avenue magazine, and KCSU-FM Radio. Graduating seniors present professional portfolios for assessment by panels of faculty and communication professionals from Denver and elsewhere in Colorado. Because successful communicators require broad knowledge, this flexible program encourages development of a background in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and in-depth study in an area of interest outside journalism. The addition of a minor or double major in disciplines such as political science, information technology, history, economics, business, communication studies, psychology, the arts, or natural or applied sciences is possible.

Study options

This program can be done
On campus

Requirements

Exams:

    Application: • Freshman/first year students can apply using the Common App OR the CSU Application. • Official High School transcripts: Unofficial transcripts can be sent while high school or secondary school work is in progress. Faxed transcripts are not accepted. All decisions are provisional until a final, official transcript verifying graduation is received. Only transcripts sent directly from the school or stamped and sealed are considered official. If a record is not in English, a certified literal English translation must accompany the transcript. • Personal Statement: A personal statement is required from all freshman/first year applicants. It’s your opportunity to help us understand what makes you unique. Refer to these writing prompts and instructions whether you’re applying through the Common App or the CSU Application. Short written responses to the Academic Explanation and Academic Gap prompts are optional and allow you to provide more context for us to understand your academic background. • Recommendation: We require one counselor OR teacher recommendation. Additional recommendations are optional. If you’re not currently in school, we’ll accept recommendations from others outside of your family (e.g., supervisor, commanding officer) who can speak to your strengths. Using the CSU application? You’ll be prompted to list the name and email address of your recommender(s). We’ll email them an invitation and link to a secure site to submit your recommendation(s). Using the Common App? To maximize your flexibility, the counselor/teacher prompts are not flagged as required, and you can choose to list the counselor and/or teacher(s) who will recommend you. Common App will email them an invitation and instructions to submit either the Counselor Recommendation or the Teacher Evaluation through Common App. • English Proficiency: Within your application, you’ll be prompted to indicate whether you are seeking direct or “clear” admission (English proficiency required) or conditional admission (no English proficiency required). If you wish to be considered for direct or clear admission, we’ll ask how you intend to demonstrate English proficiency. If you plan to submit TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores, we prefer results sent directly from the testing service. Alternatives to these tests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants who do not present (sufficient) evidence of English proficiency can be considered for conditional admission and, if admitted, will be referred to our INTO CSU Academic English program. Freshman applicants to Business, Engineering, Computer Science and Biomedical Sciences must submit official SAT or ACT scores to be considered for direct admission to one of these more competitive majors. Without ACT or SAT, admissible applicants will be considered for an alternative major or an undeclared advising track.

    Career opportunities

    The Journalism and Media Communication program emphasizes the role of mass and specialized media in society and prepares students for entry-level work in private business, government, and education. Depending upon the focus of study, students may find career opportunities in a wide variety of professional communication venues. Specific career opportunities may include: advertising copywriter, designer, or producer; agriculture writer, reporter, or editor; attorney specializing in communication law; blogger, columnist, or editorial cartoonist; college professor; communications manager or director; company spokesperson; corporate media specialist; e-mail and direct mail strategist; environmental media specialist; freelance writer, editor, or photographer; health writer, editor, or producer; marketing coordinator; media relations director or strategist; multimedia producer; non-profit communications director; novelist or non-fiction author; reporter or photojournalist for the web, magazines, newspapers, or television; owner of public relations agency or production company; professional speaker; public affairs officer for government agency; public relations agency account executive; publication designer for magazines or newspapers; radio disc jockey, reporter, or music director; reality television producer, writer, photographer, or on-camera talent; science writer or editor; social media specialist; sports writer, photographer, or producer; technical writer or editor; teacher for any level of K-12 education upon completion of appropriate licensing; television news anchor or program host; television or radio news program producer or director; television documentary producer; travel writer, photographer, or program host; video editor for news, corporate, or entertainment television; website designer and manager.

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