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Dec 03, 2024
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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Mass Communications B.A., with Video and Documentary Production Concentration
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TOTAL DEGREE HOURS: 120
Plans of Study
The Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications prepares students for media careers in broadcast journalism, digital media, broadcast production, or promotional communication. The program has two concentrations: News and Content Creation and Video and Documentary Production.
Graduates should understand the structure and functions of media systems as well as the basic processes of mass communication. Students learn writing and video skills that prepare them for a variety of media jobs. The Tampa media market, which consistently ranks in the top 15 in the country, provides students with opportunities to learn from industry professionals who visit classes and host students in their workplaces. While pursuing their studies, students are strongly encouraged to expand their learning beyond the classroom by completing internships and working in the field.
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University Admissions - College of Arts and Sciences
Admission to the University is based on the University’s Undergraduate Admission Requirements that may be found by clicking on the following urls:
For Admission information specific to the College of Arts and Sciences, see the information at College of Arts and Sciences .
Graduation Requirements - College of Arts and Sciences
Satisfactory completion of the following requirements:
- Students must complete all State and University level graduation requirements.
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in USF coursework. Note: Some Departments/program/major require a higher GPA. Students should refer to Department/program/major specific catalog requirements.
- The College may approve an exception when a student has successfully earned the minimum grade required for all courses applied in the major but does not have a major GPA of 2.0.
- Physical Education coursework is limited to two (2) semester hours.
- ROTC courses that are primarily physical training and field experiences will not be applied to College of Arts and Sciences degree programs. All other military Science coursework will apply, in particular, coursework utilized toward completing an established ROTC minor will be applied to the total hours toward degree.
- When earning a second degree, double major or concurrent degree, the Major Core and Major Elective/Concentration areas of the degree audit must not overlap for both degrees. All other areas of the degree audit may have overlapping credit hours applied.
- Maximum of 20 hours of S/U option. S/U contracts must be negotiated in writing within the first three (3) weeks of the term. None of the 20 credits may be taken in the student’s major unless S/U is the only grading option. Coursework fulfilling the General Education Core Curriculum Requirements and the State Communication Requirement (formerly known as Gordon Rule Writing) and State Computation Requirement (formerly known as Gordon Rule Math) may not be taken S/U.
- The Audit option is available only during the first 5 days of classes.
- Complete all major course requirements.
- College of Arts and Sciences students are expected to complete a minimum of 50% of their major and/or minor coursework in residence at USF. Some College of Arts and Sciences Departments/programs/majors have established additional major course hours to be taken in residency at USF. See the major or program section of the catalog for these credit-hour requirements.
Mass Communications Required Courses: (78 credit hours)
State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites - Mass Communications B.A. (18 credit hours)
Following Florida BOG Regulation 8.010, state mandated common course prerequisites are lower-division courses that are required for progression into the upper division of a particular baccalaureate degree program.
Transfer students should complete the State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites at the lower level prior to entering the university. If these courses are not taken at a Florida College System institution, they must be completed before the degree is granted. Successful completion of the common prerequisites alone does not guarantee a student admission into the degree program.
Unless stated otherwise, a grade of C- is the minimum acceptable grade in prerequisite courses.
- 18 credit hours of coursework not including ENC or LIT prefix courses beyond the 36 hours of general education requirements
Questions should be directed to the institution.
State Mathematics Pathway – Mass Communications B.A. (6 Credit Hours)
The Mass Communications B.A. uses the Mathematical Thinking in Context Mathematics Pathway with the following requirements:
Mass Communications Supporting Required Courses: 2 courses; 6 credit hours
The following courses are supporting required courses for this major. The degree will not be awarded if these courses have not been taken by the end of the student’s final semester.
A minimum grade of “C” in each supporting course is required.
Mass Communications (Restricted) Elective Courses: 8 courses; 24 credit hours
Students complete the general Mass Communications program of study and one of the following two concentrations:
Video and Documentary Production Concentration
The Video and Documentary Production Concentration is a total of 24 credit hours with 18 credits of required core courses and 6 credits of required elective courses. Concentration Core Courses: 6 courses; 18 credit hours
All courses at this level have, at a minimum, the following pre-requisites: MMC 4203, RTV 2100, JOU 2327 with a grade of at least C. Courses with additional pre-requisites are shown below. The last core course is a senior requirement. Students must choose ONE of these: MMC 4120, RTV 4942C or RTV 4544
Concentration (Restricted) Elective Courses: 2 courses; 6 credit hours
Students select 6 credit hours from the following list of courses:
NOTE: One (1) course from the Zimmerman School of Advertising and Mass Communications, outside of those listed below, may be used to meet the concentration (restricted) elective requirement with advisor approval. Additional Information - Mass Communications B.A.
Other Requirements
Sign Language may be used as an option by Mass Communications majors to fulfill the Foreign Language EXIT requirement.
A maximum of nine (9) semester hours in Mass Communications courses will be accepted from a community college or other lower-level program toward a degree in Mass Communications. It is suggested that the nine hours include the equivalent of the School core curriculum and one sequence introductory course. Approval by an appropriate advisor is required.
GPA Requirement
Major GPA (All USF courses which are applied to major requirements): 2.5
General Education GPA (All USF courses which are applied to General Education requirements): 2.0
USF GPA: 2.0
Overall GPA: 2.0
Grading Requirements
A C (2.0) or better to meet major course requirements unless specified elsewhere.
Note: Some USF courses have higher grade criteria to meet prerequisite knowledge necessary for progression into higher level courses.
Residency Requirements - College of Arts and Sciences
Department Major Academic Residency Requirement - At least 30 hours of major coursework must be completed at USF.
College of Arts and Sciences Major Academic Residency Requirement - 50% of major must be completed at USF.
USF Academic Residency Requirement - 30 of the last 60 hours earned must be from USF.
Research Opportunities - College of Arts and Sciences
Undergraduate students in any degree program are able to participate in undergraduate research. Several options exist to show mentored undergraduate research activity on a student’s official transcript. Those who wish to enroll in an undergraduate research course should consult with their academic advisor to understand how the credit will apply towards the degree requirements. If no credit is needed, students may be eligible to enroll in the 0-credit IDS 4914 course. This course will not impact degree credits or GPA but will show on an official transcript and document the experience. The Office of High Impact Practices and Undergraduate Research is able to assist with further inquiries.
Advising Information - College of Arts and Sciences
Undergraduate Advising Information
The College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) Advising Team provides students with support to create timely graduation plans that will integrate both their academic and professional goals. Each of our undergraduate programs has dedicated professional advisors with specialized knowledge and understanding of the major requirements, course offerings, undergraduate research, and career opportunities in their field. Additionally, we have dedicated pre-health and prelaw advisors to help students prepare for admission to professional graduate programs.
CAS Academic Advisor Contact information can be found here: CAS Advisors
To schedule an advising appointment: Advising Appointments
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