Bachelor of Arts, Major in Mass Communication: Multiplatform Journalism

This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

Multiplatform Journalism

The Multiplatform Journalism Concentration empowers students to craft news content on a variety of media platforms with efficiency and expedience. Students develop traditional reporting and interviewing skills, writing and copy editing proficiencies, and expertise with photography, audio recording, and video recording. Publication across platforms, including student-created websites and diverse social media, is also emphasized.

Requirements

All students who choose to declare a major or minor in Mass Communication or Ag/Com will be required to pass the Pearson Grammar Competency Lab with a score of 80 percent or better before they will be allowed to register for 3000 or 4000-level courses in MCOM.  The lab is offered free of charge. Please visit Grammar Module for additional information. 

Students choosing to major or minor in MCOM or Ag/Com must receive a grade of C or better in MCOM coursework. 

All undergraduate students at SHSU are required to complete at least six hours of writing enhanced courses within the discipline, of which three hours must be advanced.

Bachelor of Arts, Major in Mass Communication: Multi-Platform Journalism
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)6
Component Area II (Mathematics) 13
Component Area III (Life and Physical Science 28
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture)3
Component Area V (Creative Arts)3
Component Area VI (U.S. History)6
Component Area VII (Political Science/Government)6
Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) 33
Component Area IX (Component Area Option) 4, 54
Degree Specific Requirements
Select one of the following: 33
Introduction To Economics
Principles Of Macroeconomics
Principles Of Microeconomics
Foreign Language - 14 Hours - 4 Courses (WOLC 1411, WOLC 1412, WOLC 2311, WOLC 2312): 214
PHIL 2306Contemporary Moral Issues 43
Mass Communication Core (14 hours)
MCOM 1130Media Literacy 51
MCOM 1330Media, Culture and Society (Writing Enhanced)3
MCOM 1332Writing For Mass Media (Writing Enhanced)3
MCOM 2371TV & Film Production3
MCOM 3026Media Practicum1
MCOM 4371Mass Media Law And Ethics (Writing Enhanced)3
Courses Required for Concentration (21 hours)
MCOM 1371Audio Production & Performance3
MCOM 2362News Reporting3
MCOM 3361Broadcast Journalism Writing3
MCOM 3364Editing News Copy3
MCOM 4361TV News Producing3
MCOM 4364Investigative Reporting3
MCOM 4365Mobile & Social Reporting3
Concentration Electives (15 hours)15
Media Practicum
Specialized Writing
Media Criticism
Broadcast Performance
Photojournalism
Designing and Producing Scholastic Media
Single Cam & Non-Linear Edit I
Special Topic (Limited to 3 SCH)
Independent Study (Limited to 3 SCH)
Social Implications of Media
Reporting Sports Journalism
Leadership in the Scholastic Media Newsroom
Advanced Audio Production
Global Media
Professional Internship
Select Option A or B18
Option A: 18 Credits in 1 Subject Area, 12 Upper Level
Option B: 18 Credits in Business, 12 Upper Level
Total Hours120
First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area I3Component Area I3
Component Area II13Component Area III4
HIST 130123HIST 130223
MCOM 1330 (Writing Enhanced)3MCOM 13323
MCOM 13713MCOM 23713
 15 16
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area III4Component Area V3
MCOM 113031ECON 2300, 2301, or 230263
MCOM 23623MCOM 33613
POLS 230543POLS 230643
WOLC 141154WOLC 141254
 15 16
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
MCOM Advanced Concentration Elective 76MCOM Advanced Concentration Elective73
MCOM 33643MCOM 43613
Option A or B: Lower Division Course83Option A or B: Lower Division Course83
WOLC 231153PHIL 230693
 WOLC 231253
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
MCOM 30261MCOM Advanced Concentration Elective76
MCOM 43643MCOM 43713
MCOM 43653Option A or B: Upper Division Course83
Option A or B: Upper Division Course83Option A or B: Upper Division Course83
Option A or B: Upper Division Course83 
 13 15
Total Hours: 120
MCOM Concentration Elective Courses 8
Select five of the following:
MCOM 3026Media Practicum3
MCOM 3360Specialized Writing3
MCOM 3362Media Criticism3
MCOM 3365Broadcast Performance3
MCOM 3366Photojournalism3
MCOM 3369Designing and Producing Scholastic Media3
MCOM 4022Special Topic3
MCOM 4099Independent Study3
MCOM 4366Social Implications of Media3
MCOM 4367Reporting Sports Journalism3
MCOM 4369Leadership in the Scholastic Media Newsroom3
MCOM 4376Advanced Audio Production3
MCOM 4393Global Media3
MCOM 4398Professional Internship3

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The BA in Mass Communication: Multiplatform Journalism is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  •  Demonstrate strong oral, aural, and written communication skills.
  • Utilize leadership, critical thinking, and team-working skills.
  •  Conduct the collection, analysis, and management of digital data.
  • Conceptualize and produce original and creative media.
  • Produce media campaigns for social and digital platforms.