B.S. Mass Communications Program Map
Journalism Track
With Journalism, students learn to exercise news judgment, honor the tenets of journalism, and create news for and with audiences across traditional and emerging digital media platforms. Students gain hands-on experience early on and throughout their tenure with WUTV, The West Georgian and WOLF Radio.
Stats
60
Core Credit Hours
45
Major Credit Hours
15
Elective Credit Hours
Plan Your Degree
Disclaimer: This program map is intended ONLY as a guide for students to plan their course of study. It does NOT replace any information in the Undergraduate Catalog, which is the official guide for completing degree requirements.
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
C: ENGL 1101
English Composition I |
3 |
|
I: XIDS 2002
(Recommended) First-Year Seminar |
2 |
|
S: HIST 1111 OR 1112
US History |
3 |
|
F: COMM 1121 |
1-2 |
|
T: Science + Lab |
4 |
Milestone:
- Complete ENGL 1101; required to earn a C or higher.
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
C: ENGL 1102
English Composition II |
3 |
|
M: MATH 1401, 1001, OR 1111
Elementary Statistics, , Quantitative Skills & Reasoning, or College Algebra |
3 |
|
F: COMM 1110
Public Speaking |
3 |
|
P: HIST 2111 OR 2112
US History |
3 |
|
F: COMM 1121 |
1-2 |
|
T: Non-Lab Science |
3 |
Milestones:
- Complete ENGL 1102; Required to earn C or higher.
- Complete COMM 1110; Required to earn C or higher.
- Complete 30 credit hours by end of term, including credit hours earned previous terms.
13-14 Fall Credit Hours + 16-17 Spring Credit Hours = 29-31 Credit Hours
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
F: COMM 1154
Introduction to Mass Communications |
3 |
|
F: Foreign Language
Foreign Language 1000-to-2000 level |
3 |
|
A: Arts, Humanities, or Ethics
Any Option EXCEPT COMM 1154 |
3 |
|
I: Oral Communication
Any Option EXCEPT COMM 1110 |
3 |
|
T: STEM Course |
3 |
Milestones:
- Complete first foreign language requirement.
- Complete COMM 1154; Required to earn C or higher.
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
P: POLS 1101
American Government |
3 |
|
F: Foreign Language
Foreign Language 1000-to-2000 level
|
3 |
|
F: COMM 2254
Media Ethics |
3 |
|
S: Social Science |
3 |
|
A: Arts, Humanities, or Ethics |
3 |
Milestones:
- Complete second foreign language requirement.
- Complete COMM 2254; Required to earn C or higher.
- Complete 60 credit hours by end of term, including credit hours earned previous terms.
15 Fall Credit Hours + 15 Spring Credit Hours = 30 Credit Hours
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
COMM 3301
Fundamentals of Newswriting |
3 |
|
COMM 3303 OR 4403
Layout & Design or Photojournalism |
3 |
|
Electives
Must select COMM 3000-4000 level courses or courses from approved list |
6 |
|
Minor |
3 |
Milestone:
- Complete COMM 3301 – Fundamentals of Newswriting.
- Complete COMM 3303 – AI-Powered Multimedia & Visual Design OR COMM 4403 – Photojournalism.
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
COMM 3352
Fundamentals of TV Production |
3 |
|
COMM 3302 or 4402
Writing Across Media or Feature Writing |
3 |
|
Elective
Must select COMM 3000-to-4000 level course or course from approved list |
3/6 |
|
Minor |
3/6 |
Milestones:
- Complete COMM 3352 – Fundamentals of TV Production.
- Complete COMM 3302 – Writing Across Media OR COMM 4402 – Feature Writing.
- Complete 90 credit hours by end of term, including credit hours earned previous terms.
15 Fall Credit Hours + 15 Spring Credit Hours = 30 Credit Hours
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
COMM 4450
Broadcast News Writing & Reporting |
3 |
|
COMM 4484
Mass Communications Research Methods |
3 |
|
Electives
Must select COMM 3000-4000 level courses or courses from approved list |
6 |
|
Minor |
3 |
Milestones:
- Complete COMM 4450 – Advanced Media Writing & Reporting.
- Complete COMM 4484 – Mass Communications Research Methods.
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
COMM 4421N OR 4421T
Practicum: The West Georgian or WUTV |
3 |
|
COMM 4454
Media Law |
3 |
|
Elective(s)
Must select COMM 3000-4000 level course(s) OR course(s) from approved list; Complete 6 credit hours if minor requires 15 credit hours; complete 3 credit hours if minor requires 18 credit hours. |
0/3 |
|
Minor
Complete 6 credit hours if minor requires 15 credit hours, complete 9 credit hours if minor requires 18 credit hours. |
6/9 |
Milestones:
- Complete COMM 4421N – Practicum: The West Georgian OR COMM 4421T – Practicum: WUTV.
- Complete COMM 4454 – Media Law.
- Complete a minimum of 12 credit hours of COMM 3000-4000 level courses to apply toward 18-21 credit hours of major electives.
- Complete 120 credit hours by end of term, including credit hours earned previous terms.
15 Fall Credit Hours + 15 Spring Credit Hours = 30 Credit Hours
Additional Information:
- Mass Communications majors must take at least 12 hours COMM 3000-4000 level courses. The remaining 6-9 credit hours (depending on the minor) can be from any discipline, at any level of learning, including COMM 1000-4000. Additionally, students may take up to 6 hours of internship (COMM 4486) for credit in their degree program, and students may take up to 6 credit hours of 3000-4000 level practica courses in their degree program. However, students may not exceed a total of 9 credit hours of internship and practica combined.
Crush Your Course
First Year:
- Talk with your professors and advisors about your education and career goals.
Middle Years:
- Complete core classes.
- Meet with your faculty mentor at least once per semester.
- Join and participate in the Society for Professional Journalists (SPJ) and Georgia College Press Association (GCPA).
Last Year:
- Complete an internship.
- Submit your coursework for internal Excellence Awards.
- Submit your work for national awards.
Find Your Place
First Year:
- Complete WIT and/or UTIP Training program.
- Become a mentee in the Alumni Mentor Programs.
- Attend SCFM networking functions and alumni networking events.
- Connect with on-campus media and/or student media organization.
Middle Years:
- Volunteer for The West Georgian and/or WUTV.
- Attend (or volunteer at) Media Day.
- Engage with the Georgia College Press Association.
Last Year:
- The West Georgian/Wolf Radio/WUTV Paid Leadership Roles.
- Attend a National Convention: e.g. Media Fest, Georgia Press Institute.
Broaden Your Perspectives
First Year:
- Check out the education abroad office.
Middle Years:
- Consider a study abroad program. Check out students’ stories of their experiences.
Last Year:
- Assess your cultural competency.
- Consider working abroad and research visa regulations.
- Explore practices of creating more inclusive careers.
Connect Off-Campus
First Year:
- Visit Wolves Vote to learn about the voting process and registration.
- Consider volunteering for a campaign or organization in your community.
Middle Years:
- Complete an internship in your field.
- Consider a summer or part-time job.
- Ask your department about networking opportunities with alumni.
Last Year:
- Ask for advice from professionals in your field of interest.
- Explore career shadowing opportunities.
Take Care of Yourself
First Year:
- Visit Health Services.
- Get fit! Visit URec to see all your options.
- Visit the Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy.
Middle Years:
- Take a fitness class, climb the rock wall, or join an intramural team.
- Consider whether counseling is right for you: take a mental health screening.
Last Year:
- Explore a farmer’s market for fresh produce.
- Develop a post-graduation exercise plan.
- Explore your loan repayment options and complete your exit counseling.
Pave Your Path
First Year:
- Complete a self-assessment to see what careers and majors are right for you.
- Visit Career Services.
- Create your profile on Handshake.
- Consider applying for an on-campus job.
Middle Years:
- Draft your resume and attend a resume blitz.
- Learn about how to network on social media and update your Handshake profile.
- Draft your personal statement.
- Visit the graduate school to find out about graduate programs and admission requirements.
Last Year:
- Request references from professors and supervisors.
- Draft your resume cover letter and personal statement and revise it with career services.
- Attend business fairs and career fairs at UWG and across the state.
- Attend an interview workshop.
- Apply for graduate programs.
Careers
Career Opportunities
This degree may help you get work as the following:
- Broadcast Journalist
- Editorial Assistant
- Magazine Features Editor
- Magazine Journalist
- Newspaper Journalist
- Political Risk Analyst
- Publishing Copyeditor
- Proofreader
- Web Content Manager
- Writer
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