Bachelor of Arts, Major in Mass Communication: Multiplatform Journalism

This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 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 Agricultural Communication (AGCO) will be required to pass the Grammar Module with a score of 80 percent or better before they will be allowed to register for 3000 or 4000-level courses in MCFL, MCJR, MCOM, MCPA, or MCPD.  The lab is offered free of charge. Please visit Grammar Module for additional information. 

Students choosing to major or minor in MCOM or Agricultural Communication (AGCO) must receive a grade of C or better in MCFL, MCJR, MCOM, MCPA, and MCPD 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)8
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) 23
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: WOLC 1411, WOLC 1412, WOLC 2311, WOLC 2312 214
PHIL 2306Contemporary Moral Issues 43
Major: Foundation
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
Major: Required18
Audio Production & Performance
News Reporting
Broadcast Journalism Writing
Editing News Copy
Investigative Reporting
Mobile & Social Reporting
Major: Prescribed Electives (Concentration)15
Single Cam & Non-Linear Edit I
Field & Studio Audio Recording
Specialized Writing
Spanish-Language Broadcasting
Broadcast Performance
Photojournalism
Designing and Producing Scholastic Media
TV News Producing
Reporting Sports Journalism
Special Topic (Limited to 3 SCH)
Professional Internship
Studio Production
Multi-Camera Field Production
Advanced Audio Production
Major: Prescribed Electives (Analytical) 3
Media Criticism
Social Implications of Media
Independent Study (Limited to 3 SCH)
Global Media
Audience Research & Analysis
Media Programming
Select Option A or B 618
Minor: Not Required 7,8
Total Hours120
1

MATH 1332 is recommended.

2

Four courses required in one language. Foreign Language Course WOLC 2311 or WOLC 2312 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) as well as a portion of the Mass Communication Foreign Language requirement.

3

ECON 2300ECON 2301 or ECON 2302 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) as well as a Degree Specific requirement for Mass Communication.

4

PHIL 2306 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option) as well as a degree specific requirement for mass communication.

5

MCOM 1130 satisfies one hour of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option) as well as the major. 

6

Select from Option A or Option B. Option A consists of 18 credits in one Subject Area, 12 of which are Upper Level courses. Option B consists of 18 credits in Business, 12 of which are Upper Level Courses. The remaining courses for both Options are referred to as Lower Level.

7
A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so additional semester credits hours will be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours. 
8

All minors can be paired with this degree program. 

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework. 

All Mass Communication majors and minors must earn a grade of "C" or better in each Mass Communication course. 

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area I3Component Area I3
Component Area II13Component Area III4
HIST 130123HIST 130223
MCOM 1330 (Writing Enhanced)3MCOM 1332 (Writing Enhanced)3
MCOM 13713MCOM 23713
 15 16
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area III4Component Area V3
MCJR 23623ECON 2300, 2301, or 230263
MCOM 113031MCJR 33613
POLS 230543POLS 230643
WOLC 141154WOLC 141254
 15 16
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
MCJR 33643Option A or B: Lower Level73
Option A or B: Lower Level73Option A or B: Upper Level73
Prescribed Electives (Concentration)86Prescribed Electives (Concentration)83
WOLC 231153PHIL 230693
 WOLC 231253
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
MCOM 30261MCOM 43713
Option A or B: Upper Level73Option A or B: Upper Level73
MCJR 43643Prescribed Electives (Concentration)86
MCJR 43653Prescribed Electives (Analytical)103
Option A or B: Upper Level73 
 13 15
Total Hours: 120
1

MATH 1332 is recommended.

2

Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VI (U.S. History). 

3

MCOM 1130 satisfies one hour of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option) as well as the major. 

4

Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VII (Political Science/Government). 

5

Four courses required in one language. Foreign Language course WOLC 2311 or WOLC 2312 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for the Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) as well as a portion of the Mass Communication Foreign Language requirement.

6

ECON 2300ECON 2301 or ECON 2302 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) as well as a Degree Specific requirement for Mass Communication.

7

See Prescribed Electives (Concentration) course list below. 

8

Select from Option A or Option B. Option A consists of 18 credits in one Subject Area, 12 of which are Upper Level courses. Option B consists of 18 credits in Business, 12 of which are Upper Level Courses. The remaining courses for both Options are referred to as Lower Level.

9

PHIL 2306 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for the Component Area IX  (Component Area Option) as well as a Degree Specific requirement for Mass Communication.

10

See Prescribed Electives (Analytical) course list below. 

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework. 

All Mass Communication majors and minors must earn a grade of "C" or better in each Mass Communication course. 

A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so additional semester credits hours will be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours. 

All minors can be paired with this degree program.

Prescribed Electives (Concentration) 715
MCFL 3372Single Cam & Non-Linear Edit I3
MCFL 3376Field & Studio Audio Recording3
MCJR 3360Specialized Writing3
MCJR 3363Spanish-Language Broadcasting3
MCJR 3365Broadcast Performance3
MCJR 3366Photojournalism3
MCJR 3369Designing and Producing Scholastic Media3
MCJR 4361TV News Producing3
MCJR 4367Reporting Sports Journalism3
MCOM 4022Special Topic3
MCOM 4398Professional Internship3
MCPD 3373Studio Production3
MCPD 3379Multi-Camera Field Production3
MCPD 4376Advanced Audio Production3
Prescribed Electives (Analytical) 10
Select one of the following:
MCJR 3362Media Criticism3
MCJR 4366Social Implications of Media3
MCOM 4099Independent Study1-3
MCOM 4393Global Media3
MCPA 4383Audience Research & Analysis3
MCPD 3370Media Programming3

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 teamwork skills.
  • Conduct the collection, analysis, and management of digital data.
  • Conceptualize and produce original and creative media.
  • Produce media for social and digital platforms.