Program Requirements
Media and Communication Bachelor of Arts Requirements
The media and communication major at Fisher is writing-based, yet also requires students to develop skills in oral communication, critical thinking/critical analysis, and proficiency with digital technology. A flexible curriculum allows students to tailor their programs closely to their interests.
Program requirements include a departmental “core” of four academic courses and a one-credit career exploration seminar, along with area-selection courses that address oral presentation and advanced writing skills and visual production skills. Elective courses allow students to focus on an area of interest or gain exposure to a variety of topics.
| Communication/Journalism Core | (13.5) | |
| COMM 100 | Introduction to Mass Communication | |
| COMM 201 | Communication Theory and Research | |
| COMM 295 | Multimedia Writing | |
| COMM 300 | Junior Seminar | |
| COMM 322 | COMM Careers Seminar (1) | |
| COMM 486 | Portfolio Review (.5) | |
| Oral Presentation Course | (3) | |
| Choose one*: | COMM 250 Speech Communication | |
| COMM 353 Public Speaking | ||
| COMM 354 Interviewing | ||
| Visual Presentation Course | (3) | |
| Choose one*: | COMM 219 Design I | |
| COMM 231 Video Storytelling | ||
| COMM 269 Web Design | ||
| Advanced Writing Course | (3) | |
| Choose one*: | COMM 301 Journalism I: Reporting and Writing | |
| COMM 304 Magazine Writing | ||
| COMM 323 Screenwriting | ||
| COMM 376 PR Writing | ||
| COMM 383 Creative Ad Writing | ||
| COMM 300 Junior Seminar ** | ||
| COMM Elective Courses | ||
| Choose 18 credits: At least 9 credits chosen at the 300 level or above. |
18 credits of COMM coursework (at least 9 credits chosen at the 300 level or above) from a wide selection of conceptual and skills-based courses including additional courses from the area requirement lists above. Students with well-defined career interests in a traditional media area may elect to concentrate among courses in advertising, broadcasting/media production, journalism, design/interactive media, media economics, or public relations. However, formal paths or concentrations are not required and students, in consultation with an academic advisor, should select a set of electives best tailored to their career goals. Students are strongly encouraged to complete at least one internship (COMM 490) for elective credit. | (18) |
| Total: | (40.5) | |
*After the particular area requirement is met from among listed courses, other courses in that area may be taken as electives.
**COMM 300: Junior Seminar may be taken more than once if topic is different
For students majoring in media and communication, all department designated courses (COMM) that may be applied to the major are included in the determination of the grade point average in the major. At least one half of the courses applied to the major—a minimum of 20.5 credits—must be taken in residence at St. John Fisher College.