Communication, Journalism & Media, Broadcast Media Production Concentration, B.S.

The broadcast media production concentration prepares students for careers in television production, radio, podcasts and other online media. Students learn to produce, direct, create and edit content for diverse audiences and a variety of platforms. The concentration focuses on studio and field production and performance using industry-standard software and equipment. Students are introduced to script writing, storyboarding and other pre- and post-production processes, and produce live events and recorded programming using professional-quality, digital HD television equipment. Students use a state-of-the-art mobile production vehicle to cover live sporting events on campus. While studio production and producing and performance courses provide hands-on learning at SU’s industry-standard television studio. Courses in the concentration also examine media advertising and sales, media management principles and the production of sports broadcasts, films and documentaries. Students are encouraged to join SUTV during their first semester at Shippensburg University. DSLR and video cameras, audio kits, mobile phone gimbals, and all accompanying accessories are available for check out from the department’s equipment room for course and SUTV projects.

48 crs.

All students must complete 48 credits in the major to qualify for graduation. The major consists of five core courses (15 credits), four courses in a professional concentration (12 credits), and seven elective courses (21 credits).

Theory and Writing Core (15 crs.)

Majors/minors must achieve a C or better grade in COM 112 before taking any other COM courses:

COM 445 & Professional Practicum

All majors are required to complete three semesters of practical experience in one of the four student media organizations (PRSSA, SUTV, The Slate or WSYC) advised by the department as outlined below:

Students will be required upon acceptance into the major to sign a form committing them to working in a student media organization for one semester by the end of their second year, a second semester by the end of their third year, and a third semester by the end of their first semester of their last year.

Students who will be enrolled in COM 445 their senior year must have proven experience working for a student media organization and produced documentation that they fulfilled the obligation as well as examples of the work that they produced. Faculty academic advisers will meet during scheduling advising to ensure that students are meeting the commitment and coordinate with the faculty who serve as student media organization advisers to guide students.

This will provide flexibility for students who wish to explore and gain experience with different media. Students who have not completed their student media practical experience in their sophomore or junior years and have not progressed in producing tangible materials for a professional portfolio will not be permitted to schedule COM 445 until they have completed the practical experience. Transfer students who join the major as juniors will be required to perform three semesters of practical experience in their junior and senior years in order to schedule COM 445.

Broadcast Media Production Concentration (12 crs.)

COM 224 - Media Scriptwriting Credits: 3
COM 251 - Media Studio Production Credits: 3
COM 351 - Media Field Production Credits: 3
COM 424 - Media Producing & Performance Credits: 3
COM 424 is open to seniors only.

Elective Courses (21 crs.)

All students must select seven (7) elective courses, three (3) of which must be at the 300/400 level, to complete the major.

Note

COM 395 and COM 396 may be scheduled through the department secretary by qualified juniors/seniors who have a 2.5 QPA and who have written approval from the department’s internship coordinator. Only 6 credits of internship count towards the major; additional internship credits available only by departmental permission.

Foreign Language Requirement

All students in the Communication, Journalism & Media major, all concentrations, are required to attain proficiency in a foreign language. Proficiency may be satisfied by completing a language class at the 103 (intermediate) level or three years of any one foreign language in high school. Students may also meet this requirement through AP testing or CLEP testing.

General Education

General Education Requirements

General Education Program

General Education Specific for this Major

Quantitative (Q): MAT 117B or MAT 117A or MAT 217
Diversity (D): COM 245
Citizenship (R): COM 111 grade of C or better required