Degree Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Journalism
Nature of the Program
The Sports and Adventure Media Major prepares students for careers as content creators with fundamental knowledge in media, sports and adventure. Students in the major select an Area of Emphasis (AOE) in either Sports Media or Adventure Media.
The Sports Media Area of Emphasis offers courses that focus on video production for the sports broadcast industry and journalism purposes and requires two College of Media electives, which offer students flexibility to further tailor their specific interests and skill sets.
The Adventure Media Area of Emphasis offers courses on multi-platform content production for advertising, public relations and journalism purposes. The Adventure Media Area of Emphasis includes courses in adventure sports, which provide students with necessary technical skills to work as media professionals in the industry.
Students in both AOEs will be prepared to enter an ever-changing digital media landscape by taking innovative courses that utilize the latest storytelling technology and audience engagement tactics, while instilling fundamental storytelling principles and media ethics. Graduates of this degree will stand out in sports media, adventure sports media, and adventure tourism and travel industries.
Faculty
Program Chair
- Emily Hughes Corio - M.S.J. (West Virginia University)
Television Journalism and Podcasting
Teaching Professor
- Gina Martino Dahlia - M.S.J. (West Virginia University)
Assistant Dean, Television Journalism - Elizabeth Oppe - Ph.D. (Ohio University)
Mass Media, Sports, Public Relations
Teaching associate professor
- Robert Britten - Ph.D. (University of Missouri-Columbia)
Media literacy, Data, Design and Experimental Journalism - Clifton (David) Smith - M.A. (West Virginia University)
Multimedia and Experimental Journalism
Assistant professor
- Joseph Jones - Ph.D (University of Missouri-Columbia)
Media Ethics and Culture
Teaching assistant professors
- Ashton Marra - M.S. (West Virginia University)
Television and Multimedia Journalism - Chuck Scatterday - M.S.J. (West Virginia University)
Shott Teaching Assistant Professor, Sports and Adventure Media - Jesse Wright - B.S.J. (West Virginia University)
Audio Broadcasting and Reporting
Admissions
- 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. However, to declare a multidisciplinary studies major, students must have earned 29 college credit hours and have a minimum 2.0 overall GPA.
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: 4955
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 | 50 | |
Sports and Adventure Media Program Requirements | 21 | |
College of Media Core | 12 | |
Sports and Adventure Media Major Requirements | 37 | |
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, 5, 6, 7 and 8 | 25 | |
MDIA 191 | First-Year Seminar | 2 |
General Electives* | 23 | |
Total Hours | 50 |
Sports and Adventure Media Program Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
ADRC 102 | Adventure in Society | 3 |
ECON 200 | Survey of Economics | 3 |
BCOR 350 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
STAT 111 | Understanding Statistics (GEF 3) | 3 |
PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology (GEF 8) | 3 |
or SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | |
PSYC 251 | Introduction to Social Psychology | 3 |
or SOC 320 | Social Psychology | |
English literature or Creative Writing Course | 3 | |
Total Hours | 21 |
College of Media Core Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
A minimum grade of C- is required in College of Media Core Requirements. | ||
MDIA 101 | Media and Society (GEF 4) | 3 |
MDIA 215S | Media Writing | 3 |
MDIA 225S | Media Tools & Applications | 3 |
MDIA 328 | Media Ethics and Law | 3 |
Total Hours | 12 |
Sports and Adventure Media Major Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
A minimum grade of C- is required in all Sports and Adventure Media Major Requirements. | ||
JRL 235S | Video Editing | 1 |
JRL 330S | Sports and Adventure Media Writing | 3 |
JRL 380S | Sports and Adventure Media Video Storytelling | 3 |
SEP 271 | Sport in American Society | 3 |
ACE 305 | Diversity and Sport | 3 |
or SEP 373 | African Americans in Sports | |
or SM 375 | Sport in the Global Market | |
or MDIA 455 | Media, Identity, and Power | |
Or Advisor-approved Study Abroad | ||
SM 380 | History and Philosophy of Sport | 3 |
or MDIA 427 | History of American Journalism, Media & Pop Culture | |
SM 486 | Sport Marketing & Sales | 3 |
or RPTR 472 | Tourism System and Destination Management | |
JRL 484S | Advanced Sports and Adventure Video Production | 3 |
Required Area of Emphasis | ||
Select one of the following Areas of Emphasis (details below): | 15 | |
Adventure Media | ||
Sports Media | ||
Total Hours | 37 |
- *
*General Elective and Elective Credits can vary - students must have a minimum of 120 credit hours total to complete the degree
Areas of Emphasis Offered:
Adventure Media Area of Emphasis
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
A grade of C- or higher must be earned in all Adventure Media Area of Emphasis courses. | ||
ADPR 438 | Branded Content and Narrative | 3 |
JRL 424S | Adventure Travel Writing & Photography | 3 |
JRL/MDIA/ADPR Elective | 3 | |
Adventure Skills Areas | 6 | |
Whitewater Paddling | ||
Introduction to Whitewater Rafting | ||
Whitewater Rafting Techniques | ||
Introduction to Whitewater Raft Guiding | ||
Swiftwater Rescue | ||
Whitewater Raft Trip Leadership | ||
Rock Climbing | ||
Introduction to Rock Climbing | ||
Rock Climbing Techniques | ||
Lead Climbing | ||
Climbing Rescue Techniques | ||
Rock Climbing Instructor Development | ||
Aerial *** | ||
Challenge Course Facilitation | ||
Canopy Tour Facilitation | ||
Mountain Biking | ||
Introduction to Mountain Biking | ||
Total Hours | 15 |
- *
Students who choose MDIA 441 would be required to complete one hour less of free electives as the AOE would be 18 hours.
- **
Either RPTR 325 or RPTR 326 can be substituted for three one-credit hour courses to fulfill half of the adventure skills requirement for the degree.
Suggested Plan of Study for Adventure Media Area of Emphasis
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
MDIA 101 (GEF 4) | 3 | ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 |
MDIA 191 | 2 | MDIA 225S | 3 |
MDIA 215S | 3 | PSYC 101 or SOC 101 (GEF 8) | 3 |
ADRC 102 | 3 | SEP 271 | 3 |
GEF 2B | 4 | General Elective | 3 |
15 | 15 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 | ECON 200 | 3 |
JRL 235S | 1 | JRL 380S | 3 |
JRL 330S | 3 | STAT 111 (GEF 3) | 3 |
PSYC 251 or SOC 320 | 3 | ADRC Adventure Skills Course | 1 |
ADRC Adventure Skills Course | 1 | ADRC Adventure Skills Course | 1 |
ADRC Adventure Skills Course | 1 | General Elective | 4 |
General Elective | 3 | ||
15 | 15 | ||
Third Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
ADPR 438 | 3 | SM 486 or RPTR 472 | 3 |
MDIA 328 | 3 | BCOR 350 | 3 |
SM 380 or MDIA 427 | 3 | JRL/ADPR/MDIA Elective | 3 |
ADRC Adventure Skills Course | 1 | General Elective | 3 |
ADRC Adventure Skills Course | 1 | GEF 8 Focus | 3 |
GEF 5 | 3 | ||
General Elective | 1 | ||
15 | 15 | ||
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
JRL 424S | 3 | JRL 484S | 3 |
ENGL Literature or Creative Writing Course | 3 | ACE 305, SEP 373, SM 375, or MDIA 455 | 3 |
GEF 6 | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
General Elective | 3 | GEF 7 | 3 |
General Elective | 3 | GEF 8 Focus | 3 |
15 | 15 | ||
Total credit hours: 120 |
Sports Media Area of Emphasis Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
A grade of C- or higher must be earned in all Sports Media Area of Emphasis courses. | ||
JRL 361 | Media Relations In Sport | 3 |
or ADPR 439 | Strategic Social Media | |
JRL 435S | Live Sports Video Production | 3 |
IMC 410 | Introduction to Integrated Marketing Communications | 3 |
or IMC 440 | Introduction to Digital Marketing Communication | |
Select two of the following: | 6 | |
Branded Content and Narrative | ||
Strategic Social Media | ||
Podcast Reporting & Producing | ||
Digital Publication: Social Video | ||
Advanced Video Reporting and Producing | ||
Adventure Travel Writing & Photography | ||
Sports and Adventure Media Internship | ||
Total Hours | 15 |
Suggested Plan of Study for Sports Media Area of Emphasis
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
MDIA 101 (GEF 4) | 3 | MDIA 225S | 3 |
MDIA 191 | 2 | ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 |
MDIA 215S | 3 | PSYC 101 or SOC 101 (GEF 8) | 3 |
SEP 271 | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
General Elective | 1 | ||
15 | 15 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
JRL 235S | 1 | JRL 380S | 3 |
JRL 330S | 3 | ECON 200 | 3 |
ADRC 102 | 3 | STAT 111 (GEF 3) | 3 |
PSYC 251 or SOC 320 | 3 | GEF 2B | 4 |
GEF 5 | 3 | General Elective | 2 |
General Elective | 2 | ||
15 | 15 | ||
Third Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
JRL 361 or ADPR 439 | 3 | JRL 435S | 3 |
MDIA 328 | 3 | BCOR 350 | 3 |
SM 380 or MDIA 427 | 3 | Approved JRL/ADPR/MDIA Elective | 3 |
Approved JRL/ADPR/MDIA Elective | 3 | GEF 8 Focus | 3 |
ENGL Literature or Creative Writing Course | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
15 | 15 | ||
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
JRL 484S | 3 | IMC 410 or 440 | 3 |
SM 486 or RPTR 472 | 3 | ACE 305, SEP 373, SM 375, or MDIA 455 | 3 |
GEF 6 | 3 | GEF 8 Focus | 3 |
GEF 7 | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
15 | 15 | ||
Total credit hours: 120 |
Major Learning Outcomes
Sports and Adventure Media
The goal of the blended WVU Reed College of Media and College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences major in Sports and Adventure Media is to provide students with a foundation of knowledge and critical thinking and a depth of skills and understanding that will prepare them for professions in the sports and adventure media industries and/or for further education and research pursuits in sports and adventure media. We will achieve this goal by meeting the following objectives, which will culminate in a B.S.J. degree:
- Provide knowledge of the sports and adventure media industries so students have a foundational understanding and the necessary context for their future academics and profession in the industry.
- Through the major’s blended approach with the WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, students will learn about the history, theory and current trends in sport management and adventure recreation, which will deepen their understanding of and applied learning in sports and adventure media.
- Provide students with a foundation in media ethics so they understand the importance of adhering to ethical guidelines and incorporate real-world experiences that allow students to apply their professional ethics knowledge.
- Teach students about the importance of diversity in the sports, sports management, and adventure media and recreation industries and provide hands-on experiences that require them to produce work that is about, and also serves, a diverse society.
- Provide students with skills and knowledge in sports and adventure media content creation – through writing, photography and videography – through live and pre-produced programming, dissemination and audience engagement.
- Provide students with field experiences in sports and adventure media.
- Assist students in securing professional internships in their field of study.
- Expose students to emerging technologies and guide their appropriate use/application of them.