Media and Communication Studies, B.A.

Communication technologies are increasingly digital, interactive, and global, which means that participation in the public sphere requires critical engagement across a range of media, platforms, and cultural contexts. Media & Communication Studies offers an innovative and interdisciplinary response to this need. Integrating theory and practice, MCS courses guide students to refine their communication skills and deepen their understanding of complex trends in technology, culture, and knowledge. MCS students learn about media literacy, the history and theory of communication technologies, media and globalization, and research methods. Emphasizing critical thinking, reading, multi-media composition, and self-reflection, the MCS curriculum equips students with the tools to navigate dynamic media environments and the capacity to reshape them.

University Requirements

Completion of Minimum University Requirements for an Undergraduate Baccalaureate Degree .

Minimum 120 credits and minimum GPA of 2.0
Completion of 45 upper-level credits, residence requirement, Writing Intensive requirement, and General Education requirement

Major Requirements

Minimum 37 credits
Minimum grade of ‘C’ in courses applied to the major
Students may share a maximum of 9 credits with another major, minor, or certificate

Course Requirements

Media and Communication Studies Core (22 credits)

Complete the following:

Required Applied Experience (3 credits)

MCS 404 - Internship (3)

Elective Requirements (12 credits)

Complete 12 credits from the following:

Media and Communication Studies Electives

Complete 6 credits from the following:

Interdisciplinary Electives

Complete 6 credits from the following:

The Study of Foreign Languages/Study Abroad

A knowledge of at least one foreign language and familiarity with foreign cultures are important for understanding media and communications under the conditions of globalization in the 21st century. Beyond the language and culture requirements of the General Education Program, Media & Communication Studies students are strongly encouraged to study a foreign language to at least the 202 level (with appropriate exemptions made for native speakers of languages other than English). Study abroad is also strongly encouraged, for it can provide not only understanding of another culture but also important perspectives on U.S. culture and media.

Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs

Qualified students may apply to an accelerated program, which allows them to share courses between a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. Students take graduate courses as undergraduate students and later apply those courses to master’s degrees. An undergraduate may apply to participate in an accelerated program even if the desired graduate program is in a department other than the one in which the student is majoring. More information is available from the Graduate School website: https://gradschool.umbc.edu/admissions/nontraditional/accelerated/