Mass Communication, A.A.

Program Description

In the Mass Communication, A.A. degree, students learn the foundations, history, economics, and scope of the mass media industries. Students examine how media affects society and culture. They focus on mass media writing, the basics of film analysis, and the theory and practice of interviewing.  Students study terminology and apply techniques of video and audio production for both studio and field production. Additionally, students learn effective communication techniques in social media production and the theory and practice of broadcast news content and delivery. This degree prepares students for transfer to a 4-year institution.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Mass Communication, A.A. will be able to:

1. Discuss the history, major theories and concepts of mass media and its influence on society.
2. Apply effective visual, written, spoken, and non-verbal communication methods in messages to different audiences.
3. Analyze how the various fields in mass communication are structured and function.
4. Create media products utilizing a variety of mass communication technologies.

Sequence of Study

Below are the required courses for your program arranged in a suggested sequence. Please note that the sequence does not include the English co-requisite course (EGL-0100S ) or any co-requisite MAT courses (MAT-0113C , MAT-0114C , MAT-0125C  and MAT-0135C  ). See Academic Preparation  for more information on College Readiness if applicable to you. 

Required Courses (in expected order)

• PAS-1000 First Year Experience Credits: 1 (Instititutional Requirement)
• EGL-1010 Composition I: Expository Writing Credits: 3 (English General Education Requirement)
• TRF-1310 Introduction to Mass Communication Credits: 3 (Program Requirement; Critical Course)

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• COM-1010 Foundations of Communication Credits: 3 (Arts/Humanities General Education Elective) OR
• COM-1090 Interpersonal Communication Credits: 3 (Arts/Humanities General Education Elective)

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• ART-1570 Introduction to Computer Graphics Credits: 3 (Fulfills Computer Literacy; Institutional Requirement)

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• BMT-1500 Developing a Professional Image Credits: 1 (Program Requirement)
• TRF-1330 Video Production I Credits: 3 (Program Requirement; Critical Course)

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• EGL-1020 Composition II: Writing About Literature Credits: 3 (English General Education Requirement) OR
• EGL-1100 Composition II: Writing About Issues and Ideas Credits: 3 (English General Education Requirement) OR
• EGL-1320 Composition II: Writing for Business Credits: 3 (English General Education Requirement) or
• EGL-1340 Composition II: Writing About Technical Topics Credits: 3 (English General Education Elective)

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• MAT-1130 Mathematical Ideas Credits: 3 (Math General Education Elective) OR
• MAT-1140 Introduction to Statistics Credits: 3 (Math General Education Elective) OR
• MAT-1250 Applied College Algebra Credits: 3 (Math General Education Elective)

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• TRF-1040 Media Writing Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)

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• NTR-1010 Introductory Nutrition Credits: 3 (Science without Lab General Education Elective) OR
• PSC-1010 Introduction to Astronomy Credits: 3 (Science without Lab General Education Elective) OR
• GEO-1010 Physical Geography Credits: 3 (Science without Lab General Education Elective)

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• TRF-1410 Introduction to Audio Production Credits: 3 (Program Elective) OR
• TRF-1510 Introduction to Emerging Media Credits: 3 (Program Elective)

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• SOC-1010 Introduction to Sociology Credits: 3 (Social Science General Education Elective)  OR
• HST-1510 History of African Americans to 1877 Credits: 3 (Social Science General Education Elective)  OR
• HST-1530 History of African Americans since 1877 Credits: 3 (Social Science Gen. Ed. Elective)  OR
• PSY-1010 General Psychology Credits: 3 (Social Science General Education Elective)  OR
• POS-1010 American National Government Credits: 3 (Social Science General Education Elective)  OR
• ECN-1030 Principles of Macroeconomics Credits: 3 (Social Science General Education Elective) 

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• BIO-1010 General Biology Credits: 4 (Science with Lab General Education Elective)  or
• GEO-1010 Physical Geography  Credits: 3 (Science without Lab General Education Elective) AND
• GEO-1020 Physical Geography Lab Credits: 1 (Science Lab General Education Elective)  OR
• PSC-1010 Introduction to Astronomy  Credits: 3 (Science without Lab General Education Elective) AND
• PSC-1020 Introduction to Astronomy Laboratory Credits: 1 (Science Lab Genral Education Elective)  OR
• BIO-1080 Reproductive Biology Credits: 4 (Science with Lab General Education Elective) 

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• COM-1130 Interviewing Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• TRF-2330 Video Production II Credits: 3 (Program Requirement; Critical Course)

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• THE-2070 Voice and Diction Credits: 3 (Program Elective) OR
• TRF-2040 Introduction to Broadcast News Credits: 3 (Program Elective)

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• SOC-2010 Social Problems Credits: 3 (Social Science General Education Requirement)
• TRF-2310 Introduction to Film Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• COM-2230 Intercultural Communication Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)

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• ART-1010 Introduction to Art Credits: 3 (Arts/Humanities General Education Elective) OR
• ART-2720 African American Art History Credits: 3 (Arts/Humanities General Education Elective) OR
• MUS-1010 Music Appreciation Credits: 3 (Arts/Humanities General Education Elective) OR
• THE-1010 Introduction to Theatre Credits: 3 (Arts/Humanities General Education Elective)

Program Total: 60 Credits

Transferability

Credit earned at any public institution in the state shall be transferable to any other institution if the:

• Credit is from a college or university parallel course or program;
• Grades in the block of courses transferred average 2.00 or higher; and
• Acceptance of the credit is consistent with the policies of the receiving institution governing students following the  same program. Refer to ARTSYS at artweb.usmd.edu and the receiving institution’s catalog to select transferable courses.

Need Help?

For help selecting an academic program or courses, consider using Career Coach, available at www.pgcc.edu/go/careercoach.