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Admissions
 
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication admission policy is as follows:
Any student admitted to Texas State may declare and be admitted to the program under a temporary status called pre-mass communication at any time by filling out a change of major form in the school's office, Old Main 102. Students who have accumulated at least 45 credit hours and meet the requirements outlined below will be admitted in major status. Students who fail to meet the requirements will not be admitted to the major.

• A letter grade of a "C" or better in the following courses or their equivalents: ENG 1310, ENG 1320, COMM 1310, and MC 1301
• An overall GPA of at least a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• A passing score on the school's grammar, spelling, and punctuation (GSP) test
• Students who have not met the university's computer literacy requirement will need to complete CS 1308 or its equivalent with a letter grade of "C" or better.

Degree Programs

The major in mass communication blends both theoretical and technical principles and concepts.  The university’s general education core lays the foundation for a broad liberal arts education that the major is built upon.  The underlying assumption is that the best media professionals are those with a strong liberal arts education and an overlay of professional skills. 
           
We offer five degrees in Mass Communication:
 Mass Communication-Advertising
 Mass Communication-Electronic Media
 Mass Communication (General)
 Mass Communication-Print Journalism
 Mass Communication -Public Relations

All Bachelor of Arts degrees in Mass Communication include 5-6 components:
-General education requirements (core curriculum)
-BA degree requirements
-a minor
-Mass Communication Core
-Mass Communication Sequence (major emphasis)
-Electives (if needed)

Other Requirements

1. General education core curriculum options should be discussed with a Mass Communication academic advisor. Requirements and choices are listed in the University College section of the catalog.

2. The Bachelor of Arts degree requires six hours of English literature, 2310 and 2320 of a modern language and SOCI 3307.

3. The Mass Communication major also requires SOCI 3307.

4. The Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation test (GSP) is given by the Texas State Testing, Research-Support and Evaluation Center. The GSP is administered weekly; call (512) 245-2276 for testing times. The test can only be taken a maximum of three times and there is a fee of $40 per test.

5. In an effort to promote the academic welfare of all Mass Communication students the school requires that all pre-major mass communication majors be academically advised each semester before they register. An advisor is available year-round to assist all Mass Communication students with academic issues and concerns. Students should contact a Mass Communication Academic Advisor at (512) 245-2656 to schedule an appointment.

6. All students must earn a “C” or higher in the Mass Communication core (six courses), which include: MC 1301-Introduction to Mass Communication, MC 1313-Writing for the Mass Media, MC 2374-Information Gathering and Analysis, MC 4301-Mass Communication Law, MC 4302-History of Mass Media, and one course chosen from MC 2319-Visual Communication, MC 3311-Video Production, MC 3390-Publication Design and Production, MC 4304-Advertising Strategy and Execution: Portfolio, MC 4309-Visual Literacy Film, MC 4336D-Web Design and Publishing or MC 4356E-Photojournalism.

7. Students must earn a “C” or higher in all prerequisite courses.


Areas of Study within the Mass Communication Major (15 hours)

In addition to core MC courses, the school offers courses to prepare students for work within all areas of mass communication. Students may concentrate their study in Advertising, Electronic Media, Print Journalism or Public Relations, or elect a general Mass Communication course of study. Students must complete an additional 15 hours from one of these areas. They should see a Mass Communication Academic Advisor in the school office for assistance in planning their area of study.

Mass Communication (general): MC 3355, 3360, 3383, 4305, and 3 hours of advanced Mass Communication.

Advertising: MC 3367, 3368, 3372, 4307, and 3 hours selected from MC 3373, 3379, 4303, 4304, 4316C, 4316D or 4316F.

Electronic Media: MC 3306, 3311, 3312, 3394, and 3 hours selected from MC 3307, 3310, 3375 or 4356D.

Print Journalism: MC 3320, 3383, 3390, 3 hours selected from MC 4356A-Z (but not MC 4356E), and 3 hours of advanced Mass Communication.

Public Relations: MC 3343, 3360, 3383, 4313, and 4320.

Majors may take up to nine hours of Mass Communication courses in addition to the core and area of study requirements.