Department website: http://reedcollegeofmedia.wvu.edu/undergraduate/mds-minors
Degree Offered
- Bachelor of Arts
Nature of the Program
As the world has become more complex, our communications industries have evolved with it, and future professionals must have both specific skills and broad-based backgrounds to adapt quickly to this changing environment. The College of Media Multidisciplinary Media Studies Bachelor of Arts program draws upon undergraduate course offerings university-wide and is comprised of three media-focused tracks. Many College of Media courses are designed to be completed online; therefore many of the courses are available only online and sometimes must be taken during summer terms. Note that additional online course fees apply.
The Multidisciplinary Media Studies program will develop students who will:
- acquire a broad liberal arts education
- have studied three media areas of interest in depth
- be capable of critical thought
- understand the importance of the First Amendment and media ethics in a democratic society
- be able to analyze problems from multiple perspectives
To declare a Multidisciplinary Media Studies major, students must have a 2.0 minimum overall GPA.
Faculty
Program coordinator, instructor
- Aaron Hawley - M.S.J. (West Virginia University)
Professors
- Joel Beeson - Ph.D. (Union Institute and University)
Documentary, Media Ethics and Law, Visual Journalism - Dana Coester - M.A. (University of Missouri-Columbia)
Media Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Audience Engagement - John Temple - M.F.A. (University of Pittsburgh)
Creative Nonfiction, Screenwriting
Teaching professors
- Emily Hughes Corio - M.S.J. (West Virginia University)
Television Journalism, Podcasting - Gina Martino Dahlia - M.S.J. (West Virginia University)
Broadcast Television News, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs - Elizabeth Oppe - Ph.D. (Ohio University)
Mass Media, Sports, Public Relations
Associate professors
- Rita Colistra - Ph.D. (University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill)
Integrated Marketing Communications, Advertising and Public Relations - Geah Pressgrove - Ph.D. (University of South Carolina)
- Lois Raimondo - M.A. (University of Missouri-Columbia)
Visual, Photojournalism - Steve Urbanski - Ph.D. (Duquesne University)
Ethics, Law, Editing and Design
Teaching associate professors
- Robert Britten - Ph.D. (University of Missouri-Columbia)
Data and Visual Journalism, Media Literacy - David Smith - M.A. (West Virginia University)
Experimental, Augmented and Virtual Reality Storytelling
Assistant professors
- Julia Fraustino - Ph.D. (University of Maryland)
Public Interest Communications, Public Relations - Joseph Jones - Ph.D. (University of Missouri)
Ethics, Law, Media and Society
Teaching assistant professors
- Ashton Marra - M.S.J. (West Virginia University)
- Chuck Scatterday - M.S.J. (West Virginia University)
Sports Writing and Production - Jesse Wright - B.S.J. (West Virginia University)
Audio Broadcasting and Reporting
SAdmissions
- Admission to the College of Media
- Scholarships
- Choosing a Major
- Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Program
Admission to the College of Media
For specific information regarding the admissions requirements for First Time Freshmen to the Reed College of Media, please visit http://catalog.wvu.edu/undergraduate/perleyisaacreedschoolofjournalism/#admissionstext.
Students who have completed at least one full-time semester of college work (either at WVU or elsewhere) with a cumulative GPA of 2.25 or higher may also qualify for direct admission into the College of Media irrespective of standardized test scores. Students who do not meet these criteria will automatically be enrolled in WVU's Center for Learning, Advising and Student Success (CLASS). Students advised in CLASS may declare a major in the College of Media once they have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.25 at WVU. Or, if a student has a 2.0 cumulative GPA at WVU, they may enroll in MDIA 215 (space permitting) or they may declare the College's Multidisciplinary Studies major after earning at least 29 credit hours. If the student earns a C- or better in MDIA 215 and maintains a 2.0 overall GPA at WVU, then the student may then declare a major in the College of Media.
Scholarships
In addition to financial aid from West Virginia University, the College of Media offers a number of scholarships each year to eligible students. All students applying for scholarships must file a FAFSA form by the deadline, even if they are not eligible for need-based aid.
Choosing a Major
The College of Media offers six majors: advertising and public relations, integrated marketing communication, gaming and interactive media design, journalism, sports and adventure media and multidisciplinary media studies.
Direct admission students are admitted to the College upon admission to the University and declare their majors at that time.
Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Program
Students in the advertising and public relations or journalism BSJ programs in the College of Media with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4 are eligible for this program. The accelerated MSJ program allows students to customize a research project that is relevant to their interests, whether they are Advertising and Public Relations or Journalism majors. Interested students are identified during their initial year or two at the College, and, if interested, must meet with Dr. Steve Urbanski, Director of Graduate Studies, by the fall of their junior year. Freshmen and sophomores are welcome to stop by to discuss the program as well. Information is posted on the College’s website.
3+3 BSJ/JD
High-achieving students may also participate in the 3+3 BSJ/JD degree program with the WVU College of Law. See the College of Media's 3+3 BSJ/JD degree program website for more information about this program.
Due to Covid-19 – Admission requirements may differ from what is listed on this page. Please review the most up-to-date program admission requirements for the Reed College of Media.
Admissions Requirements 2024-2025
The Admissions Requirements above will be the same for the 2024-2025 Academic Year.
Major Code: 4970
Click here to view the Suggested Plan of Study
General Education Foundations
Please use this link to view a list of courses that meet each GEF requirement.
NOTE: Some major requirements will fulfill specific GEF requirements. Please see the curriculum requirements listed below for details on which GEFs you will need to select.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
General Education Foundations | ||
F1 - Composition & Rhetoric | 3-6 | |
Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric and Composition, Rhetoric, and Research | ||
or ENGL 103 | Accelerated Academic Writing | |
F2A/F2B - Science & Technology | 4-6 | |
F3 - Math & Quantitative Reasoning | 3-4 | |
F4 - Society & Connections | 3 | |
F5 - Human Inquiry & the Past | 3 | |
F6 - The Arts & Creativity | 3 | |
F7 - Global Studies & Diversity | 3 | |
F8 - Focus (may be satisfied by completion of a minor, double major, or dual degree) | 9 | |
Total Hours | 31-37 |
Please note that not all of the GEF courses are offered at all campuses. Students should consult with their advisor or academic department regarding the GEF course offerings available at their campus.
Degree Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
University Requirements | 69 | |
Multidisciplinary Media Studies Major Requirements | 51 | |
Total Hours | 120 |
University Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
General Education Foundations (GEF) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 (31-37 Credits) * | ||
Outstanding GEF Requirements 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 | 31 | |
MDIA 191 | First-Year Seminar | 2 |
General Electives | 36 | |
Total Hours | 69 |
Multidisciplinary Media Studies Major Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher required. | ||
A grade of C- or higher must be earned in all major courses. | ||
Multidisciplinary Media Studies Core | 18 | |
Media and Society | ||
Media Writing | ||
Media Tools & Applications | ||
Media Ethics and Law | ||
Reed College Multidisciplinary Capstone | ||
Select one of the following: | ||
Introduction to Advertising and Public Relations | ||
Principles of Advertising | ||
Introduction to Public Relations | ||
Reed College of Media Track #1 ** | 9 | |
Reed College of Media Track #2 ** | 9 | |
Reed College of Media Track #3 ** | 9 | |
Media Electives *** | 6 | |
Total Hours | 51 |
- *
General Education and Elective Credits can vary - students must have a minimum of 120 earned credit hours total to complete the degree. Only MDIA 101 can be counted towards both the GEF and MDMS major requirements.
- **
Reed College of Media tracks must be selected from the following: Advertising, Entertainment Media, Event Planning, Health Promotion, Journalism, Public Relations, Sport Communication, Strategic Social Media. Students must complete nine unique credit hours for each of their tracks.
- ***
Any other College of Media courses of the student's choice.
Multidisciplinary Media Studies Tracks
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Advertising | 9 | |
Advertising and Creativity | ||
Advertising Research and Media | ||
Advertising Strategies | ||
Public Relations | 9 | |
Writing for Public Relations | ||
Applied Public Relations | ||
Integrated Marketing Communications for Public Relations | ||
Journalism (select 3) | 9 | |
Media Design | ||
Video and Audio News Writing | ||
Sport Journalism | ||
Feature Writing | ||
Social Media and Journalism | ||
Strategic Social Media | 9 | |
Social Media Strategy | ||
Social Media Applications | ||
Social Media Campaigns | ||
Event Planning | 9 | |
Event Planning | ||
Event Promotion | ||
Event Execution | ||
Health Promotion | 9 | |
Writing for Health Promotion | ||
Applied Health Promotion | ||
Health Promotion Campaigns | ||
Entertainment Media (select 3) | 9 | |
Entertainment Reporting | ||
Promotion for Entertainment Media | ||
Entertainment Media Branding | ||
Entertainment Media Campaigns | ||
Sport Communication | 9 | |
IMC for Sport | ||
Sport Journalism | ||
Media Relations In Sport |
Suggested Plan of Study
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
GEF 2A | 4 | GEF 6 | 3 |
MDIA 101 (GEF 4) | 3 | MDIA 225S | 3 |
MDIA 191 | 2 | GEF 7 | 3 |
MDIA 215S | 3 | GEF 3 | 3 |
ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
15 | 15 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 | GEF2/General Elective | 3 |
GEF 8 | 3 | GEF 8 | 3 |
Track 1, Course 1 | 3 | Track 3, Course 1 | 3 |
Track 2, Course 1 | 3 | Track 1, Course 2 | 3 |
GEF 5 | 3 | Track 2, Course 2 | 3 |
15 | 15 | ||
Third Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
GEF 8 | 3 | Track 3, Course 3 | 3 |
Track 3, Course 2 | 3 | Media Elective | 3 |
Track 1, Course 3 | 3 | Media Elective | 3 |
Track 2, Course 3 | 3 | General Electives | 6 |
General Electives | 3 | ||
15 | 15 | ||
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
General Electives | 12 | General Electives | 12 |
MDIA 328 | 3 | MDIA 485S | 3 |
15 | 15 | ||
Total credit hours: 120 |
Note: Some tracks may require online course enrollment during Summer terms to complete. Students should check with their advisor about individual minor requirements and expected course availabilities. Additional online course fees apply.
Track courses may not be used to fulfill both a focus requirement and a General Education Foundation requirement, with the exception of MDIA 101.
Track courses may not be used to fulfill the requirements for more than one focus. All Reed College tracks must be completed with their own unique hours.
Of total earned credit hours, a minimum of 30 credit hours must be at the 200-level or higher, and an additional minimum of 30 credit hours must be at the 300-level or higher.
A grade of C- or higher must be earned in all major- and track-required courses.
Students have the option to use elective hours to pursue a fourth track to complement their studies.
Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Program
Degree Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
University Requirements | 57 | |
Multidisciplinary Media Studies Major Requirements | 63 | |
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications Major Requirements | 18 | |
Total Hours | 138 |
University Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
General Education Foundations (GEF) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 (31-37 Credits) | ||
Outstanding GEF Requirements 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 | 31 | |
First-Year Seminar | 1 | |
General Electives | 25 | |
Total Hours | 57 |
Multidisciplinary Media Studies Major Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher required. | ||
MDIA 119 | Reed College Multidisciplinary Orientation | 3 |
MDIA 485S | Reed College Multidisciplinary Capstone | 3 |
A grade of C- or higher must be earned in all minor courses. | ||
Reed College of Media Minor ** | 15 | |
Reed College of Media Minor ** | 15 | |
Third Minor | 15 | |
IMC 410 | Introduction to Integrated Marketing Communications | 3 |
IMC 511 | Marketing Research and Analysis | 3 |
IMC 512 | Audience Insight | 3 |
IMC 513 | Brand Equity Management | 3 |
Total Hours | 63 |
- *
General Education and Elective Credits can vary - students must have a minimum of 120 earned credit hours total to complete the degree.
- **
Reed College of Media minors must be selected from the following: Advertising, Entertainment Media, Event Planning, Health Promotion, Interactive Design for Media, Journalism, Public Relations, Sport Communication, Strategic Social Media. Students must complete unique credit hours for each of their minors. Because courses can only be counted toward one minor, students may replace duplicate course requirements within their College of Media minors with College of Media core courses (i.e.,MDIA 215S, MDIA 225S, JRL 328).
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications Major Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Complete a minimum of two of the following: | 6 | |
Creative Strategy and Execution | ||
Direct & Digital Marketing | ||
Public Relations Concepts and Strategy | ||
Emerging Media and the Market | ||
IMC Elective Courses | ||
Select at least three IMC electives at the 500-level or above | 9 | |
IMC 536 | Integrated Marketing Communication Campaigns | 3 |
Total Hours | 18 |
Suggested Plan of Study
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
GEF 2A | 4 | ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 |
GEF 3 | 3 | GEF 6 | 3 |
GEF 5 | 3 | GEF 7 | 3 |
First-Year Seminar | 1 | Elective | 3 |
Electives | 4 | Elective | 3 |
15 | 15 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 | GEF2/Elective | 3 |
MDIA 101 (Media and Society (fulfills GEF 4 and counts toward College of Media Minor I-1)) | 3 | GEF 8 | 3 |
MDIA 119 | 3 | Minor I-2 | 3 |
GEF 8 | 3 | Minor II-1 | 3 |
Elective | 3 | Minor III-1 | 3 |
15 | 15 | ||
Third Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
GEF 8 | 3 | Minor I-4 | 3 |
Minor I-3 | 3 | Minor II-3 | 3 |
Minor II-2 | 3 | Minor III-3 | 3 |
Minor III-2 | 3 | Electives | 6 |
Elective | 3 | ||
15 | 15 | ||
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
MDIA 485S | 3 | Minor II-5 | 3 |
Minor II-4 | 3 | Minor I- 5 | 3 |
Minor III-4 | 3 | Minor III-5 | 3 |
IMC 410 | 3 | IMC 511 | 3 |
IMC 513 | 3 | IMC 512 | 3 |
15 | 15 | ||
Fifth Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
IMC Electives (1 and 2 of 3) | 6 | IMC Specialty Course (2 of 2) | 3 |
IMC Specialty Course (1 of 2) | 3 | IMC Elective Course (3 of 3) | 3 |
IMC 536 | 3 | ||
9 | 9 | ||
Total credit hours: 138 |
Note: Some minors may require online course enrollment during Summer terms to complete. Students should check with their advisor about individual minor requirements and expected course availabilities. Additional online course fees apply.
This suggested plan of study assumes three minors requiring 15 unique hours each. Minors that require more than 15 hours can be completed by substituting the extra minor hours in place of elective hours.
Minor courses may not be used to fulfill both a minor requirement and a General Education Foundation requirement, except JRL 101. Minors used as part of the MDS requirements may not be used to complete GEF 8.
Minor courses may not be used to fulfill the requirements for more than one minor. All Reed College minors and shared college minors must be completed with their own unique hours.
In the event of course overlap between minors, the Reed College of Media’s Writing and Communications Skills Requirement, JRL 215, may be substituted in place of the overlapped course within one of the minors. When used to fulfill both requirements, the number of credit hours associated with the course will calculate into total earned credit hours only once.
In the event of additional course overlap among minors, JRL 225 (Media Tools & Applications) and/or JRL 328 (Media Law and Ethics) may be used as replacement courses. Other minor course overlaps may be replaced with Reed College of Media’s coursework at the 200-level or higher, at the approval and discretion of the College.
If completed prior to admission into the program, ADV 215, PR 215, and/or ADPR 215 may be substituted as equivalent 215 coursework within Reed College minors or shared college minors, at the discretion of the College.
Of total earned credit hours, a minimum of 30 credit hours must be at the 200-level or higher, and an additional minimum of 30 credit hours must be at the 300-level or higher.
A grade of C- or higher must be earned in all major- and minor-required courses.
Students have the option to use elective hours to pursue a fourth minor to complement their studies.
Students in the MDS BA + MS ABM program can share a total of 12 credits, in IMC 410, IMC 511, IMC 512, and IMC 513 across both their graduate and undergraduate degrees.
Major Learning Outcomes
Multidisciplinary Media Studies
Upon completion of the B.A. in Multidisciplinary Media Studies, students will:
- demonstrate the ability to engage an audience using social media networking and analytics tools
- understand and apply the U.S. principles and laws of freedom of speech and press
- demonstrate the ability to professionally present ideas in all form: written, verbal and with the use of appropriate digital/electronic audio-visual materials
- demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications
- demonstrate an understanding of gender, race ethnicity, sexual orientation and, as appropriate, other forms of diversity in domestic society in relation to mass communications
- demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of peoples and cultures and of the significance and impact of mass communications in a global society
- demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity
- think critically, creatively and independently
- write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve
- critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness
- apply basic numerical and statistical concepts
- apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work