Media & Communications Degrees

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Literary Techniques & Story Development - Study authorial choices and literary techniques that bring meaning and direction to stories.

Publishing & Distribution - Learn how to publish and distribute screenplays, television shows, comic books, video game scripts, and novels while demonstrating an understanding of the evolution of the entertainment industry.

Scriptwriting Techniques - Explore the fundamentals of successful writing for film and television while looking at structural techniques, character development, conflict, and scene construction.

STUDENTS IN THIS PROGRAM SAY

• I'm a naturally-gifted communicator.
• People close to me say I have a wild imagination.
• I like pointing out the differences between the book and the movie.
• When I read or watch something, I pick up on small character and plot details others miss.
• I want to use my storytelling abilities to help brands connect with their audience.
• Curiosity is my superpower.
• I am interested in how technology impacts the way we tell stories.
• I am comfortable providing constructive feedback to other writers.

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Digital Video and Audio Production - Learn how to combine audio and video to create engaging presentations for a variety of platforms and audiences.

Integrated Marketing - Explore different marketing strategies to help brands reach their target audiences.

Research in Media Communications - Examine research methodologies and communication theories, using data analysis to make decisions that maximize audience engagement.

STUDENTS IN THIS PROGRAM SAY

• I immediately embrace the latest technology and media formats.
• I understand there's more than one way to tell a story.
• I live for engaging an audience.
• I'm constantly exploring new interests and hobbies.
• I thrive in fast-paced, collaborative situations.
• I spend way too much time perfecting my social media posts.
• I'm interested in a range of topics related to entertainment, tech, and media.

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

The Art of Visual Storytelling - Examine the universal themes of traditional storytelling and their applications to visual narrative design.

Creative Writing Portfolio I - Students will develop their thesis portfolio and career strategy by identifying short- and long-term goals.

The Business of Creative Writing - Learn about the business side of the creative writing industry, including marketing, publishing, literary agents, and distribution methods.

TRAITS OF AN IDEAL STUDENT FOR THIS PROGRAM

• Someone who has a strong foundation in writing.
• Someone who enjoys playing with words.
• Someone who is emotionally expressive and able to channel feelings into words.
• Someone who is highly imaginative and can easily invent characters, environments, and situations.
• Someone who is open-minded and adaptable to feedback.
• Someone who is self-motivated and persistent with their writing.

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Strategies for Learner Engagement - Explore cognitive, learning, and motivation theories as a first step toward understanding how to create engaging curriculum for a variety of learning styles and settings.

Media Asset Creation - Examine specific techniques to create the best media for a project, while also taking into account delivery methods and students’ abilities.

Visual and Verbal Communication in Instructional Design - Learn how to write manuscripts for course content designed for a specific medium, subject matter, and audience.

STUDENTS IN THIS PROGRAM SAY

• I want to change the way we learn for the better.
• I am excited to learn about using gaming, audio, and film effectively in my curriculum.
• I want to be at the forefront of the intersection of technology and course creation.
• I want to be involved in the process of making education more inclusive and accessible.
• Delving into instructional design methodologies while utilizing cutting-edge technology aligns with my personal and professional goals.

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Public Relations and Reputation Management - Learn how consumers absorb, act, and react to news and digital content.

Multimedia Development and Editing - Explore photography, audio and video production, and web publishing.

Social Media and Online Community Engagement - Learn the various approaches to virtual communities and the significance of user-generated content.

STUDENTS IN THIS PROGRAM SAY

• I’m interested in a career that I can be proud of, instead of a job that I'm working just to survive.
• I would like to be a freelance investigative journalist.
• I’m eager to use effective skills to prepare for interviews.
• I’m excited to find valuable and reliable information that is relevant for specific audiences.

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Public Relations in a Digital World - You’ll examine the dramatic impact of the Internet and a 24/7 media environment on the public relations process.

Media Relations - Learn how journalists fit into the digital space and how these roles have changed as a result of the Internet and participatory media.

Social Media Metrics and ROI - This course explores how to track, report, and analyze a variety of metrics based on audience behavior.

STUDENTS IN THIS PROGRAM SAY

• I’m interested in the complexities of PR and how to navigate potential challenges effectively.
• I hope to learn how digital media affects the image of brands.
• I want to have a deeper understanding of the privacy issues raised by digital media.
• I’ve always wanted to create social media content for companies.