Concentrations

Among the requirements to earn a B.A. in Communication, students must declare a concentration before finishing more than 75 credits. Students need to complete 12 credits to satisfy the requirement and may choose from one of the following concentrations:

Interpersonal and Organizational Communication

This concentration examines communication among persons and groups, in formal and informal settings. It focuses on theories, concepts, and practices appropriate to institutional settings, including families. Students will explore various aspects of human behavior of people in groups and teams. Coursework focuses on the study of professional and personal relationships and explores such issues as conflict, decision-making, diversity, small groups, persuasion, gender, culture, interviewing, leadership, nonverbal communication, media, public presentation, health, the environment, and family relations.

Journalism

The Journalism concentration is for student journalists who are passionate about diving into original reporting, strong writing, and investigative research. Student journalists will seek out and uncover breaking news stories, find and interview sources, and be engaged in the writing and editing process from assignment to deadline. Student journalists get a taste of writing across all media, digital communication, multimedia journalism, a real newsroom and media law and ethics. Student journalists participate in the breaking news process as it unfolds real-time on social media and online.

Media Production and Criticism

Courses offered in Media Production and Criticism fall under two broad categories: production or criticism. Students in this program may choose one of the two areas of emphasis:

Criticism courses offer students the opportunity to learn to think purposefully and critically about media and examine media roles from many perspectives. Through four required courses within the concentration, individuals may engage in different comparative and ideological frameworks, thereby providing a theoretical grounding in the study of media content, processes, and effects.

Production courses offer participants foundational knowledge applicable to a wide range of current media-related professions. Through four required courses within the concentration, individuals will have the opportunity to develop hands-on production skills, achieve technical proficiency, and make sophisticated choices in working with new technologies and emerging platforms, such as broadcast TV, mobile apps, streaming media, corporate communications, and social media.

See what you can do with an MPC concentration here:  

Political Communication

Emphasizing the critical public role of communication in society, this concentration examines social movements and political controversies, focusing on different strategies, techniques, and perspectives that shape public policy. Topics of instruction include debating, advertising, opinion polling, image management, and mass media.

Public Relations

If you enjoy thinking about building, repairing, and enhancing an organization's relationships with key stakeholders, public relations is an ideal concentration for you. Public relations professionals spend their days communicating through social media, organizing events, writing speeches, and researching campaigns. They use advertising, promotion, counseling, and crisis management to address tough challenges.


#MasonCOMM #ThisIsMasonCOMM