School of Communication

Casey Malone Maugh Funderbunk, Ph.D., Acting Director
118 College Drive, Box 5131
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.4271

Anthony, Atkins-Sayre, Blackwell, L. Coleman, M. Coleman, Conlin, Davies, Funderburk, Gentile, Jenkins, Jung, Meyer, Mistretta, Murphree, Nikolinakou, Pluskota, Rassier, Sheffer, Shin, Stengrim, Strait, Venette, Williams, Xue

The school offers majors and minors in communication studies; advertising; entertainment industry (with emphasis areas in film, media production, recording industry management and recording industry production); and journalism (with emphasis areas in broadcast journalism, news-editorial, photojournalism and public relations).

Advertising Program

The University offers a Bachelor of Arts degree and a minor in advertising. Advertising majors complete a five-course core curriculum of MCJ 101 , MCJ 102 , MCJ 103 , MCJ 200 , MCJ 454 . All students required to take MCJ 103 must pass the school’s Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Exam. MCJ 101 , MCJ 102 , MCJ 103 and MCJ 200 are prerequisites for all 300-level and above MCJ courses for advertising majors.

The school’s undergraduate program in advertising is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC). In order to comply with ACEJMC accreditation standards, the advertising major requires a minimum of 65 semester hours in the basic liberal arts and sciences and a minimum of 72 hours of non-MCJ courses. In addition, every program at the University requires a Capstone experience course.

Students majoring in advertising may not pursue minors in entertainment industry or journalism.

The Bachelor of Arts in advertising is designed to teach students the creative and business practices of advertising. Graduates are prepared for professional positions as advertising layout artists, copy writers, media planners, account executives and advertising sales positions in mass media, advertising agencies and advertising departments in business and industry.

Students in the advertising program are required to complete a minimum of 36 hours in mass communication and journalism courses, including the MCJ core curriculum (MCJ 101 , MCJ 102 , MCJ 103 , MCJ 200 , MCJ 454 ), the advertising skills sequence (MCJ 312 , MCJ 329 , MCJ 330 , MCJ 333 , MCJ 425 , MCJ 431 ), a three-hour MCJ value elective, and three to six hours of general MCJ electives to be selected in consultation with an advisor in the school.

A minimum grade of C is required in each major course, as well as a major GPA of 2.5. Students majoring in advertising must also complete a minor. However, students in the advertising program may not minor in journalism or entertainment industry. Advertising majors also may not count MKT 355 toward their major or minor.

Internship Program

The internship program (MCJ 429 /FLM 429 ) provides supervised experiential learning in a professional setting. Eligible students must submit an internship application prior to the midpoint of the semester preceding the requested internship. Students should meet with the school’s internship coordinator to discuss internship options.

Minor in Advertising

Students from any major may also elect to minor in advertising. To earn a minor, students must complete 20 hours of courses in Mass Communication and Journalism, including MCJ 102 , MCJ 200 , MCJ 312 , MCJ 329 , MCJ 330 , and MCJ 333 . The final three hours for the minor should be chosen from one of the following classes: MCJ 421 ; MCJ 431 ; MCJ 433 ; MCJ 454 ; and MCJ 482 .

Computer Equipment Requirements

Advertising majors and minors are required to own a specifically equipped laptop computer. Specifications are available through the school website.

Communication Studies Program

The school offers two degrees in communication studies, the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Science (BS). Both degrees require a 25-hour core of foundational courses and 15 hours of electives in the major. Additionally, students in both degree programs must complete the University’s general education curriculum and 21 hours of liberal arts courses. The BA includes a requirement for the study of foreign language and the BS includes a requirement for the study of quantitative reasoning or statistics. See the degree plan and semester-by-semester guide for details.

The communication studies program is dedicated to teaching students how communication fosters success in personal relationships, business settings and society. Focusing primarily on oral, face-to-face human interaction, our courses teach students how to persuade, manage conflicts, lead groups, interview and interpret nonverbal messages. Though our primary goal is to prepare students for life, we also enable students to find suitable employment in business, government and nonprofit organizations. This major also prepares students for careers as teachers, lawyers and clergy. Many surveys of employers indicate that the ability to communicate well with other people is the number-one quality sought in job applicants. The communication studies major offers undergraduate students an exciting, involving and evolving field of study. A graduate program awarding both master’s and doctoral degrees contributes to a stimulating intellectual environment for all students.

Minor in Communication Studies

Students from any major may also elect to minor in communication studies. To earn a minor, students must complete 18 hours of communication studies courses, including CMS 305 , CMS 311 , CMS 330 , and nine more hours of electives from the program. The following courses will not count towards the minor: CMS 300L; CMS 411; CMS 459; CMS 459L; CMS 488; CMS 489; and CMS 492 .

Entertainment Industry Program

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees offered in entertainment industry (EI) provide graduates an opportunity to enhance skills and employment options in the multibillion-dollar entertainment industry. The curriculum reflects the multidisciplinary collaboration necessary for success in this area: recording industry, mass communication and business.

Students can choose from four different emphasis areas of study: film (Gulf Park campus), media production, recording industry management and recording industry production.

A minimum grade of C is required in each major course, as well as an overall GPA of 2.5. A minor in a discipline outside of the MCJ/EI program is required of all entertainment industry majors. Students who choose an emphasis in recording industry management are required to obtain a minor in management through the School of Management in the College of Business and Economic Development.

Recording industry majors, production and management, complete a six-course core curriculum of MCJ 101 , MCJ 103 , MCJ 200 , EI 200 , EI 303 and EI 461 . All students required to take MCJ 103 must pass the school’s Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Exam. MCJ 101 , MCJ 102 , MCJ 103 and MCJ 200 are prerequisites for all 300-level and above MCJ courses for media production majors. MCJ 101 , MCJ 103 , and MCJ 200 are prerequisites for all 300-level and above MCJ and EI courses for recording industry management and production majors.

The school’s undergraduate programs in media production are accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC). In order to comply with ACEJMC accreditation standards, entertainment industry majors require a minimum of 65 semester hours in the basic liberal arts and sciences and a minimum of 72 hours of non-MCJ courses. In addition, every program at the University requires a Capstone experience course.

Students majoring in entertainment industry may not pursue minors in advertising or journalism.

Computer Equipment Requirements

Entertainment industry majors and minors are required to own a specifically equipped laptop computer. Specifications are available through the school website.

Internship Program

BA in Entertainment Industry with an Emphasis in Film (Gulf Park campus)

The film emphasis is designed to prepare students for positions with large and small motion picture production companies, federal or state agency production units or for self-employment as independent producers, directors or production specialists.

Students are required to take FLM 351 , FLM 370 , FLM 371 , FLM 470 , FLM 471 , FLM 472 , FLM 475 , FLM 478 and FLM 479 and 6-9 hours of FLM electives chosen in consultation with an advisor in the school.

A minimum grade of C is required in each major course, as well as a major GPA of 2.5. A minor is required for this major and must be in a discipline outside of advertising, entertainment industry or journalism.

Minor in Entertainment Industry (Film)

Students pursuing a minor in entertainment industry (film) must complete 18 hours of requirements, including FLM 351 , FLM 370 , FLM 371 , and FLM 479 . The remaining six hours of FLM courses must be at the 300-level or higher.

BA in Entertainment Industry with an Emphasis in Media Production

The media production emphasis is designed for students who seek careers in video and audio production in the broadcasting industry.

Students are required to complete the MCJ core curriculum (MCJ 101 , MCJ 102 , MCJ 103 , MCJ 200 , MCJ 454 ), the media production skills sequence (MCJ 334 /MCJ 334L , MCJ 335 /MCJ 335L , MCJ 340 , MCJ 440 , MCJ 442 ), a three-hour MCJ values elective, and three to six hours of general MCJ/EI electives to be selected in consultation with an advisor in the school.

Minor in Entertainment Industry (Media Production)

Students pursuing a minor in entertainment industry (media production) must complete 20 hours of requirements, including MCJ 102 , MCJ 200 , MCJ 334 , MCJ 334L , MCJ 335 , MCJ 335L , and MCJ 340 . The remaining four hours must be chosen from the following classes: MCJ 411 , MCJ 418 , MCJ 440 , MCJ 447 , and/or MCJ 454 .

BA in Entertainment Industry with an Emphasis in Recording Industry Management

Students are required to complete the recording industry core curriculum (MCJ 101 , MCJ 103 and MCJ 200 , EI 200 , EI 303 and EI 461 ), the recording industry management skills sequence (EI 370 , EI 432 , EI 441 , EI 470 ), two of the following courses for a total of six hours: EI 300 , EI 421 , EI 431 , PSY 469 , PHI 411 ; and three to six hours of general MCJ/EI electives to be selected in consultation with an advisor in the school.

Students who choose an emphasis in recording industry management are required to obtain a minor in management through the School of Management in the College of Business and Economic Development.

A minimum grade of C is required in each major course, as well as a major GPA of 2.5.

Minor in Entertainment Industry (Recording Industry Management)

Students pursuing a minor in entertainment industry (recording industry management) must complete 18 hours of requirements, including EI 303 , EI 370 , EI 432 , and EI 441 . The remaining six hours are to be selected in consultation with an advisor in the school.

BA in Entertainment Industry with an Emphasis in Recording Industry Production

Students are required to complete the recording industry core curriculum (MCJ 101 , MCJ 103 and MCJ 200 , EI 200 , EI 303 and EI 461 ), the recording industry production skills sequence (EI 300 , EI 345 , EI 403 , MUS 120 ), two courses from each of the two sets of electives below:

EI 430 , MCJ 334 /MCJ 334L , MCJ 335 /MCJ 335L , MCJ 340 , MCJ 440
EI 421 , EI 431 , EI 432 , PSY 469 , PHI 411

and three hours of general MCJ/EI electives to be selected in consultation with an advisor in the school.

Minor in Entertainment Industry (Recording Industry Production)

Students pursuing a minor in entertainment industry (recording industry production) must complete 20 hours of requirements, including MCJ 200 , EI 300 , EI 303 , EI 345 , and EI 461 . The remaining six hours are to be selected in consultation with an advisor in the school.

Journalism Program

The school offers Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees in journalism with emphases in broadcast journalism, news-editorial, photojournalism, or public relations. These are designed to prepare students for a variety of career positions, including news reporting and editing, producing, writing, photojournalism and public relations. With all degrees, the objective of the major in journalism is to teach students professional and theoretical concepts and to develop their technical skills to enable them to be productive and responsible contributors in the field of journalism. The program emphasizes the basics of reporting, writing, editing, design, photography and multimedia. Professional preparation also requires an understanding of the historical, ethical and social responsibility of journalism. The school strives to achieve an integration of practice and theory in its courses.

The faculty strongly believes students should have a broad cultural education in the humanities and social sciences to complement their professional preparation so that they can serve society, as well as their own self-interests, productively and responsibly.

All students pursuing a major in journalism must complete 35 – 40 hours in a journalism emphasis, achieve a minimum grade of C in each major course and a GPA of 2.5 in the major. Journalism majors complete a five-course core curriculum of MCJ 101 , MCJ 102 , MCJ 103 , MCJ 200 ,and MCJ 454 . All students required to take MCJ 103 must pass the school’s Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Exam. MCJ 101 , MCJ 102 , MCJ 103 ,and MCJ 200 are prerequisites for all 300-level and above MCJ courses for journalism majors.

The school’s undergraduate programs in journalism are accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC). In order to comply with ACEJMC accreditation standards, all journalism majors require a minimum of 65 semester hours in the basic liberal arts and sciences and a minimum of 72 hours of non-MCJ courses. In addition, every program at the University requires a Capstone experience course.

Students majoring in journalism are required to have a minor and may not pursue minors in advertising or entertainment industry.

Internship Program

The internship program (MCJ 429 ) provides supervised experiential learning in a professional setting. Eligible students must submit an internship application prior to the midpoint of the semester preceding the requested internship. Students should meet with the school’s internship coordinator to discuss internship options.

BA in Journalism with an Emphasis in Broadcast Journalism

Broadcast journalism prepares students to enter the challenging and competitive field of radio and television news. Students are required to complete a core curriculum (MCJ 101 , MCJ 102 , MCJ 103 , MCJ 200 , MCJ 454 ), the broadcast journalism skills sequence (MCJ 300 , MCJ 304 /MCJ 304L , MCJ 404 /MCJ 404L , MCJ 406 ), six hours of MCJ value electives, and three to six hours of general MCJ electives to be selected in conjunction with an advisor in the school.

Minor in Journalism (Broadcast Journalism)

Students pursuing a minor in journalism (broadcast journalism) must complete 18 hours of course requirements, including MCJ 102 , MCJ 200 , MCJ 304 , MCJ 304L , MCJ 404 , and MCJ 404L . The remaining six hours are to be selected from the following choices: MCJ 355 , MCJ 406 , MCJ 454 , MCJ 461 , MCJ 462 , and/or MCJ 463 .

BA in Journalism with an Emphasis in News-Editorial

The news-editorial emphasis is designed to prepare students for positions in the news media as reporters, editors and writers. Students are required to complete a core curriculum (MCJ 101 , MCJ 102 , MCJ 103 , MCJ 200 , MCJ 454 ), the news-editorial skills sequence (MCJ 203 , MCJ 300 , MCJ 303 , MCJ 311 , MCJ 402 ), six hours of MCJ value electives, and three to six hours of general MCJ electives to be selected in conjunction with an advisor in the school.

All majors in the news-editorial emphasis are expected to do practical work on The Student Printz. Others are invited to participate in the publication of the newspaper.

Minor in Journalism (News-Editorial)

Students pursuing a minor in journalism (news-editorial) must complete 20 hours of course requirements, including MCJ 102 , MCJ 200 , MCJ 203 , MCJ 311 , MCJ 312 , and MCJ 454 . The remaining three hours are to be selected from the following courses: MCJ 301 , MCJ 303 , MCJ 355 , MCJ 403 , MCJ 405 , MCJ 461 , MCJ 462 , and/or MCJ 463 .

BA in Journalism with an Emphasis in Photojournalism

The photojournalism emphasis is designed to prepare students for careers as news photographers. Students pursuing an emphasis in photojournalism are required to complete a core curriculum (MCJ 101 , MCJ 102 , MCJ 103 , MCJ 200 , MCJ 454 ), the photojournalism skills sequence (MCJ 242 [formerly MCJ 241 , MCJ 241L ], MCJ 300 , MCJ 341 , MCJ 342 , MCJ 441 ), six hours of MCJ value electives, and three to six hours of general MCJ electives to be selected in conjunction with an advisor in the school.

Minor in Journalism (Photojournalism)

Students pursuing a minor in journalism (photojournalism) must complete 18 hours of course requirements: MCJ 102 , MCJ 200 , MCJ 241 , MCJ 241L , MCJ 341 , MCJ 454 , and MCJ 441 .

BA in Journalism with an Emphasis in Public Relations

This emphasis of study is designed to prepare students for careers as public relations practitioners and consultants in business and industry, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and governmental agencies. Students are required to complete a core curriculum (MCJ 101 , MCJ 102 , MCJ 103 , MCJ 200 , MCJ 454 ), the public relations skills sequence (MCJ 203 , MCJ 312 , MCJ 421 , MCJ 422 , MCJ 426 , MCJ 428 ), a three-hour MCJ value elective, and three to six hours of general MCJ electives to be selected in conjunction with an advisor in the school.

Minor in Journalism (Public Relations)

Students pursuing a minor in journalism (public relations) must complete 20 hours of course requirements, including MCJ 102 , MCJ 200 , MCJ 312 , MCJ 421 , and MCJ 422 . The remaining six hours are to be selected from the following: MCJ 311 , MCJ 424 , MCJ 426 , MCJ 454 , and MCJ 483 .

Computer Equipment Requirements

Journalism majors and minors are required to own a specifically equipped laptop computer. Specifications are available through the school website.

Programs

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Science

Non-degree