MASS COMMUNICATION

Mary Jean Land, Chair and Professor
Professor: Ginger Carter Miller
Assistant Professors: Macon McGinley and Stephen Price
Lecturer: Angela Criscoe

Department Contact Information:
Georgia College & State University
Mass Communication
Campus Box 32
Milledgeville, GA 31061
478-445-8620
Mass Communication Web site
Chair, Mary Jean Land, maryjean.land@gcsu.edu
Senior Secretary, Tommie Benton, tommie.benton@gcsu.edu

MISSION

The mission of the Department of Mass Communication encompasses the vision and goals of the university as a public liberal arts institution while providing students with a balance of theory and practical applications in mass communication. The Mass Communication major offers instruction in researching, writing, critical thinking, producing, and disseminating information through mass media. Our curriculum is designed to prepare graduates who are independent professional communicators with strong professional, research, theoretical, and critical thinking skills. It is the desire of the faculty and department to produce graduates who are capable of meeting the high standards of a constantly evolving world of media.

Students enrolled in Mass Communication choose a concentration in print, advertising, public relations, or telecommunications. This experience prepares students for careers in newspaper, radio, television, advertising, public relations, publications, Internet, and many other communication fields.

STUDENT SUCCESS

Earning a college degree is a significant milestone in one's life and requires tremendous effort. To enable students to achieve this goal, the faculty has developed a comprehensive program to help further each student's success. Freshman students are required to enroll in MSCM 0001 Mass Communication Freshman Seminar. This course provides students an overview about his/her chosen major in mass communication. It strives to expose freshman students to many of the university's resources, university and departmental policies and procedures, opportunities for advancement, and extra-curricular opportunities.

Once accepted into the program of mass communication, students are required to complete three university practicums in order to be eligible for graduation. The practicum experience is designed to provide students with practical application of their skills within an area of Mass Communication. Students receive one hour of academic credit resulting in a letter grade assigned by their practicum supervisor. Practicums are completed on-campus; requirements, hours, and duties vary.

GCSU MSCM students are all required to complete one off-campus internship within the field of Mass Communication to be eligible for graduation. The internship experience is designed to provide MSCM students with practical application of their knowledge and skills in a professional setting. Students receive one hour of academic credit resulting in a letter grade assigned by the internship coordinator. Students are responsible for arranging their own internship with assistance from faculty and the Career Center.

ADMISSION

All students (current students, entering freshmen, and transfer students) who wish to major in mass communication will be classified as pre-mass communication majors until applying for acceptance into the major and receiving official acceptance by the committee.

Requirements

• 2.5 GPA
• Completion of at least 36 hours
• Passing scores on Regents Exam (both sections)
• Completion with a grade of C or better in all of the following:
• Mass Communication and Society (MSCM 2200)
• Writing for Mass Media (MSCM 2204)
  • English 1101
  • English 1102

Meeting minimum requirements assures consideration but is not a guarantee of admission. Applicants presenting the highest qualifications will be accepted Fall and Spring semesters of each academic year. Students wishing to be considered for application must complete the application and submit it to the Mass Communication Office (Terrell 211) no later than 4 p.m. on Friday of the second full week of the semester. Applications can be found in the MSCM Office in the Mass Communication Handbook (pdf). A committee of the Mass Communication faculty will determine acceptance into the major.

Admit Date

Application deadline: 4 p.m., Friday of the second full week of the semester.

Committee decision: Friday of the fourth full week of the semester. Students will be notified in writing of the committee's decision.

CAREER INFORMATION

The major in Mass Communication provides a varied background suitable for employment in any field of communication. Mass Communication majors may concentrate in one or more of four areas: (1) public relations, (2) advertising, (3) print journalism, or (4) telecommunications. Graduates are inclined to pursue employment opportunities with newspapers, radio or television stations, production companies and Internet design firms. Many Mass Communication graduates also become leaders in the fields of advertising, public relations, marketing, and still photography. In particular, the Mass Communication major prepares students to work with the mass media.

MISCELLANEOUS

Extracurricular Activities in Mass Communication:

The Colonnade, WGUR 88.9 FM Radio, MBC-4 News, Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), Bobcat Media Productions

DEGREES OFFERED

1. Bachelor of Arts with a major in Mass Communication