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-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 a second English literature (in addition to the general education requirements) and 2310 and 2320 of a modern language.

3. The Mass Communication major also requires SOCI 3307-Statistics for Behavioral Sciences.

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 (five courses), which include: MC 1301-Introduction to Mass Communication, MC 1313-Writing for the Mass Media, MC 4301-Mass Communication Law, one course chosen from MC 3319-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 4312-Photojournalism or MC 4336D-Web Design and Publishing and one course chosen from MC 3355-Mass Media and Society, MC 4302-History of Mass Media or MC 4310-International Communication.

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


Areas of Study within the Mass Communication Major (18 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, Journalism or Public Relations, or elect a general Mass Communication course of study. Students must complete an additional 18 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 six hours of advanced Mass Communication.

Advertising: MC 3367, 3368, 3372, 4307, 4316F and three hours selected from MC 3373, 3379, 4303, 4304, 4306, 4316B or 4316D.

Electronic Media: MC 3306, 3311, 3374, 3312, 3394, and 3 hours selected from MC 3307, 3310, 3375, 4330 or 4356D.

Journalism: MC 3320, 3374, 3383, choose one from: MC 3390 or 4336D, choose one from: MC 4330 or 3 hours of advanced MC, 3 hours selected from MC 4312 or 4356A-Z.

Public Relations: MC 3343, 3360, 3383, 4313, 4320 and choose one from MC 3390 or 4336D.

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