Mass Communications Bachelor's Degree
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Mass Communications Bachelor's Degree
With two sequences to choose from, the mass communications bachelor’s degree will prepare you for a successful career in journalism, advertising, public relations or other communications fields.
The online bachelor’s in mass communications provides students the skills needed to succeed in today’s new media environment with an emphasis on communicating across media platforms. The journalism sequence includes coursework in broadcast, print, online writing, editing, and digital and social media. The strategic communications sequence focuses on advertising, public relations, social media, strategic planning and content development.
*This estimate includes online tuition and College of Arts and Sciences fees and is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ depending on your transfer hours, course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.
Admission Requirements
All students are required to meet the general university admission requirements.
Careers
A mass communications degree provides skills needed for a variety of careers in many different fields, which are more diverse, experiential and exciting than ever. Career options include:
- journalist
- public relations specialist
- social media coordinator
- communications director
- market researcher
- technical writer
- advertising manager
- videographer
- producer
Journalism Curriculum
The bachelor’s of mass communications can be completed as either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree depending on your preference. Below are the courses needed in addition to the overall curriculum for each choice:
If you’re completing a Bachelor of Arts
Modern Language (12 credits minimum)
- Level 4 (i.e., French 4, Arabic 4, Spanish 4, etc.) or the equivalent of level 4 in a modern language sequence offered by the Department of Modern Languages. (Conversation ”4A” courses do not meet the level 4 requirement.)
Mathematics
- One course in mathematics above 100-level
If you're completing a Bachelor of Science
Natural Sciences (3 credits minimum)
- One course with a prerequisite in the same natural sciences department
Quantitative (3 credits minimum)
There are three options for fulfilling the quantitative requirement:
- Three courses, 9 credits minimum, selected from:
- Computer science: CIS 111, 200-level or above
- Mathematics: MATH 100-level or above
- Philosophy: PHILO 110, 112, 320 or 510
- Statistics: Any course
- One course and its 200-level prerequisite, selected from:
- Geography: GEOG 700 (with a statistics course)
- Physics: PHYS 113 (with MATH 150)
- PHYS 223 (with MATH 221)
- PHYS 224 (with MATH 221)
- PHYS 325 (with MATH 222)
- PHYS 452 (with MATH 150)
- Sociology: SOCIO 520 (with STAT 325)
- Social work: SOCWK 330 and 530 (with MATH 100)
- Competency may be demonstrated by taking two 200-level courses or one 300-level course:
- 200-level courses (two courses):
- Computer science: CIS 200
- Mathematics: MATH 150, 205, 210 or 312
- Philosophy: PHILO 510
- Statistics: STAT 325 or 340 or 350, 703
- 300-level courses (one course):
- Computer science: CIS 300
- Mathematics: MATH 220
- Philosophy: PHILO 701
- Statistics: STAT 341, 351, 704 or 705
- 200-level courses (two courses):
Courses required for both degrees
Communications (8-9 credits)
- ENGL 100 - Expository Writing I (3 credits)
- ENGL 200 - Expository Writing II (3 credits)
- COMM 105 - Public Speaking IA (2 credits) OR
COMM 106 - Public Speaking I (3 credits)
Humanities (11 credits)
- One course in fine arts
- One course in philosophy (except logic)
- One course in Western heritage
- One course in literary or rhetorical arts
Social Sciences (12 credits)
- Four courses from at least three disciplines
- One of the four courses must be 500-level or above or carry a prerequisite in the same department
Natural Sciences (11 credits minimum)
- One life science course with lab
- One physical science course with lab
- One life or physical science course
Outside Concentration (15 credits minimum)
A minimum of 15 credits of coursework taken in another department or academic program. At least two of the courses must be at the 500-level or above or have prerequisite in the same department. You may also create a custom outside concentration between two or more departments with approval from your faculty advisor.
Foundations of Journalism (9 credits)
- MC 100 - JMC Orientation (0 credits)
- MC 110 - Mass Communications in Society (3 credits)
- MC 130 - Media Writing and Conventions (1 credit)
- MC 131 - Media Writing Styles (1 credit)
- MC 132 - Media Writing Perspectives (1 credit)
- Foundations courses (3 credits)
- MC 191 - Audio Foundations (1 credit)*
- MC 192 - Pixel Foundations (1 credit)
- MC 193 - Video Foundations (1 credit)*
- MC 194 - Social Media Foundations (1 credit)
- MC 195 - Vector Foundations (1 credit)*
- MC 196 - Web and CMS Foundations (1 credit)*
Core Journalism (24 credits)
- MC 160 - Principles of Journalism (3 credits) OR
MC 200 - News Reporting and Writing Across Platforms (3 credits) - MC 301 - Intro to Media Production (3 credits)*
- MC 316 - Data Journalism (3 credits)*
- MC 341 - Media Design and Data Visualization (3 credits)
- MC 385 - Media Practicum (1 credit)
- MC 466 - Media Law (3 credits)
- MC 491 - Internship (1-3 credits)
- MC 580 - Storytelling Across Platforms (3 credits)
Journalism Techniques (6 credits)
- MC 331 - Digital Photography (3 credits)*
- MC 340 - Editing for Print and Online Media (3 credits)*
- MC 370 - Social Media Strategy and Management (3 credits)
- MC 390 - Social Media News Strategies (3 credits)
- MC 403 - Advanced News Reporting and Writing Across Platforms (3 credits)*
- MC 406 - KKSU-TV News Reporting (3 credits)*
- MC 410 - Sports Journalism (3 credits)*
- MC 416 - Photojournalism (3 credits)*
- MC 426 - Magazine Writing, Editing and Design (3 credits)*
- MC 469 - Drones Photography and Video (3 credits)
- MC 471 - Advanced Media Production (3 credits)*
- MC 472 - KKSU-TV News Production (3 credits)*
- MC 498 - Portfolio (3 credits)*
Journalism Conceptual (6 credits)
- MC 541 - Online Media Audiences (3 credits)
- MC 572 - Global Communications (3 credits)*
- MC 573 - Media Ethics (3 credits)*
- MC 576 - Mass Media and Political Campaigns (3 credits)*
- MC 585 - Media Management (3 credits)*
- MC 589 - Intercultural Digital Storytelling (3 credits)
- MC 605 - Supervision of School Publications (3 credits)
- MC 612 - Diversity, Gender and Media (3 credits)*
*Courses are in development to be offered online in spring 2021 but are currently only available as on-campus courses.
Strategic Communications Curriculum
The bachelor’s of mass communications can be completed as either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree depending on your preference. Below are the courses needed in addition to the overall curriculum for each choice:
If you’re completing a Bachelor of Arts
Modern Language (12 credits minimum)
- Level 4 (i.e., French 4, Arabic 4, Spanish 4, etc.) or the equivalent of level 4 in a modern language sequence offered by the Department of Modern Languages. (Conversation ”4A” courses do not meet the level 4 requirement.)
Mathematics
- One course in mathematics above 100-level
If you're completing a Bachelor of Science
Natural Sciences (3 credits minimum)
- One course with a prerequisite in the same natural sciences department
Quantitative (3 credits minimum)
There are three options for fulfilling the quantitative requirement:
- Three courses, 9 credits minimum, selected from:
- Computer science: CIS 111, 200 level or above
- Mathematics: MATH 100 level or above
- Philosophy: PHILO 110, 112, 320 or 510
- Statistics: Any course
- One course and its 200-level prerequisite, selected from:
- Geography: GEOG 700 (with a statistics course)
- Physics: PHYS 113 (with MATH 150)
- PHYS 223 (with MATH 221)
- PHYS 224 (with MATH 221)
- PHYS 325 (with MATH 222)
- PHYS 452 (with MATH 150)
- Sociology: SOCIO 520 (with STAT 325)
- Social work: SOCWK 330 and 530 (with MATH 100)
- Competency may be demonstrated by taking two 200-level courses or one 300-level course:
- 200-level courses (two courses):
- Computer science: CIS 200
- Mathematics: MATH 150, 205, 210 or 312
- Philosophy: PHILO 510
- Statistics: STAT 325 or 340 or 350, 703
- 300-level courses (one course):
- Computer science: CIS 300
- Mathematics: MATH 220
- Philosophy: PHILO 701
- Statistics: STAT 341, 351, 704 or 705
- 200-level courses (two courses):
Courses required for both degrees
Communications (8-9 credits)
- ENGL 100 - Expository Writing I (3 credits)
- ENGL 200 - Expository Writing II (3 credits)
- COMM 105 - Public Speaking IA (2 credits) OR
COMM 106 - Public Speaking I (3 credits)
Humanities (11 credits)
- One course in fine arts
- One course in philosophy (except logic)
- One course in Western heritage
- One course in literary or rhetorical arts
Social Sciences (12 credits)
- Four courses from at least three disciplines
- One of the four courses must be 500-level or above or carry a prerequisite in the same department
Natural Sciences (11 credits minimum)
- One life science course with lab
- One physical science course with lab
- One life or physical science course
Outside Concentration (15 credits minimum)
A minimum of 15 credits of coursework taken in another department or academic program. At least two of the courses must be at the 500-level or above or have prerequisite in the same department. You may also create a custom outside concentration between two or more departments with approval from your faculty advisor.
Foundations of Strategic Communications (9 credits)
- MC 100 - JMC Orientation (0 credits)
- MC 110 - Mass Communications in Society (3 credits)
- MC 130 - Media Writing & Conventions (1 credit)
- MC 131 - Media Writing Styles (1 credit)
- MC 132 - Media Writing Perspectives (1 credit)
- Foundations courses (3 credits)
- MC 191 - Audio Foundations (1 credit)*
- MC 192 - Pixel Foundations (1 credit)
- MC 193 - Video Foundations (1 credit)*
- MC 194 - Social Media Foundations (1 credit)
- MC 195 - Vector Foundations (1 credit)*
- MC 196 - Web and CMS Foundations (1 credit)*
Core Strategic Communications (24 credits)
- MC 120 - Principles of Advertising (3 credits) OR
MC 180 - Principles of PR (3 credits) - MC 221 - Ad Strategy and Writing (3 credits) OR
MC 280 - PR Writing (3 credits) - MC 341 - Media Design and Data Visualization (3 credits)
- MC 380 - Strategic Communications Planning (3 credits)
- MC 396 - Strategic Communications Research (3 credits)
- MC 466 - Media Law (3 credits)
- MC 491 - Internship (3 credits)
- MC 581 - Strategic Communications Campaigns (3 credits)*
Strategic Communications Techniques (6 credits)
- MC 370 - Social Media Strategy & Management (3 credits)
- MC 409 - Advanced Strategic Communications Writing (3 credits)*
- MC 446 - Media Planning (3 credits)*
- MC 451 - Health Communications (3 credits)*
- MC 470 - Account Management (3 credits)*
- MC 477 - Travel and Tourism Communications (3 credits)
- MC 478 - Strategic Communications and Sports (3 credits)
- MC 490 ZA - Advertising in the Digital World (3 credits)
- MC 490 ZB - Entertainment Communications (3 credits)
- MC 498 - Portfolio (3 credits)*
Strategic Communications Conceptual (6 credits)
- MC 502 - Strategic Communications Case Studies (3 credits)*
- MC 541 - Online Media Audiences (3 credits)
- MC 572 - Global Communications (3 credits)*
- MC 573 - Media Ethics (3 credits)*
- MC 576 - Mass Media & Political Campaigns (3 credits)*
- MC 612 - Diversity, Gender and Media (3 credits)*
- MC 625 - Media Relations and Reputation Management (3 credits)
- MC 662 - International Strategic Communications (3 credits)
*Courses are in development to be offered online in spring 2021 but are currently only available as on-campus courses.
Transfer Equivalency
K-State offers online tools that allow you to see how previous coursework taken at another accredited institution will transfer to K-State. You can search by course or by program curriculum.