Mass Communication

Major Description:

A mass communication degree from Alderson Broaddus University will help you develop practical skills and come away with an in-depth knowledge of the effects of the mass media on society. Students learn how the various mass communication fields are structured and function while establishing a foundation with courses in communication, writing, ethics, social media, and video production.

The mass communication program at Alderson Broaddus has two concentrations: a general concentration and a digital media concentration. The general concentration provides students with valuable experience in journalism, video production, and even health communication. The digital media concentration allows students to have specific digital applications training, including courses in digital design, photography, and web design.

Required Courses

	Course #		Credit Hours	Course Name
____	BUSI	120	3	Introduction to Marketing
____	COMM	155	3	Introduction to Mass Communication
____	COMM	175	3	Media Writing
____	COMM	230	3	Media and Society
____	COMM	251	3	Advertising
____	COMM	271	4	Video Production I
____	COMM	350	3	Social Media
____	COMM	355	3	Mass Communication Law & Ethics
____	COMM	490	1	PR/Communication Campaigns
____	COMM	495	3	Internship
Plus 17 Semester hours from one of the following concentrations:
General Concentration
____	BUSI	345	3	Marketing Research
____	COMM	370	4	Video Production II
____	JOUR	200	3	Introduction to Journalism
____	MDIA	211	3	Film Genres*
PLUS FOUR semester hours from the following:
____	COMM	220	1	Media Practicum**
____	JOUR	160	1	Journalism Practicum (on Battler Columns staff)
____	JOUR	165	1	Advanced Journalism Practicum** (on Battler Columns staff)
**May be repeated for credit
Digital Media Concentration
____	COMM	220	1	Media Practicum
____	MDIA	135	3	Digital Photography
____	MDIA	180	3	Intro to Digital Design
____	MDIA	255	3	Web Design
____	MDIA	370	4	Advanced Digital Applications
____	PSYC	340	3	Cyberpsychology

**May be repeated for credit

Foreign language: Four semesters of one modern foreign language are required. (See policy on placement in courses)
Liberal studies program: As outlined on the appropriate Liberal Studies Check Sheet.
* Indicates courses that also meet Liberal Studies requirements.
*COMM 130 Introduction to Public Speaking is required to fulfill Liberal Studies goal 1-A.3
Among requirements for graduation, the student must have a grade point average of 2.00 or higher in the major and have 120 college-level credit hours.

Career Opportunities

A degree in mass communication prepares students for careers in a variety of fields, including: administration, broadcasting, consulting, education, human resources, law/legal studies, marketing, media/public relations, and social media.

Wondering what all you can do with a degree from AB’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences? Contact the Office of Career Services for ideas and academic planning.

Internship Opportunities

Opportunities for Involvement

You will have many opportunities for involvement in experiences and memberships that will help you develop as a well-rounded individual, making you very attractive to future employers. These opportunities include:

Digital Edge, the official student organization for mass communication students
The Battler Columns, the student-run newspaper
The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
The Society for Professional Journalists
Phi Beta Lambda

For more information, contact us:

Kim Wilkie

Assistant Professor of Speech and Writing

Kim Wilkie

Assistant Professor of Speech and Writing

wilkiekd@ab.edu

(304) 457-6294

	Class of 2018	Class of 2019	Class of 2020
Maximum entering class size (as approved by ARC-PA)	36	36	36
Entering class size	36	36	36
Graduates	34	28	34
* Attrition rate	5.5%	22.2%	5.5%
**Graduation rate	94.4%	77.7%	94.4%
Attrition rate calculation: Number of students who attritted from cohort divided by the entering class size. *Graduation rate: Number of cohort graduates divided by the entering class size.

	DIDACTIC PHASE				CLINICAL PHASE			YEARLY TOTALS
	Year 1 Summer	Year 1 Fall	Year 1 Spring	Year 2 Summer	Year 2 Fall	Year 2 Spring	Year 3 Summer	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Total
Tuition	$14,500	$14,500	$14,500	$14,500	$14,500	$14,500	$29,000	$43,500	$43,500	$29,000	$116,000
Fees	$200	$305	$305	$330	$205	$205	$550	$810	$740	$550	$2,100
Books	$1,000	$1,000	$1,000	$1,000	$0	$0	$0	$3,000	$1,000	$0	$4,000
Supplies	$0	$0	$0	$500	$0	$0	$1,000	$0	$500	$1,000	$1,500
Other Supplies	$0	$0	$0	$0	$800	$967	$0	$0	$1,767	$0	$1,767
Room	$4,050	$4,198	$4,198	$4,198	$5,165	$5,165	$10,330	$12,446	$14,528	$10,330	$37,304
Board	$2,100	$2,100	$2,100	$2,500	$2,500	$2,500	$5,000	$6,300	$7,500	$5,000	$18,800
Transportation	$855	$855	$855	$2,133	$2,133	$2,133	$4,266	$2,565	$6,399	$4,266	$13,230
Personal Expenses	$2,509	$2,509	$2,509	$2,509	$2,509	$2,509	$5,018	$7,527	$7,527	$5,018	$20,072
Certification Exam	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$850	$0	$0	$850	$850
Loan Fees	$68	$68	$68	$68	$68	$68	$136	$204	$204	$136	$544
Health Insurance	$2,441	$2,441	$2,441	$2,441	$2,441	$2,441	$4,882	$7,323	$7,323	$4,882	$19,528
TOTAL								$83,675	$90,988	$61,032	$235,695

Mass Communications