Media and Communication

The bachelor of science in media and communication combines theory and practice, professional standards and hands-on experience to equip students with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary for professional roles in the digital age. Intensive courses in writing, editing, media production, research, and digital design prepare students to work in a variety of communications fields.

Many students earn internship credit at public relations agencies, advertising firms, television studios, and newspapers. On-campus opportunities include writing for The Log, the student newspaper; participating in the Public Relations Student Society of America; working with the American Advertising Federation; engaging in experiential learning opportunities in the classroom; and our experiencing real-world concept application through our EXPECT program.

Advertising students take courses in advertising principles and copywriting for a variety of media. They also produce print, radio, and video ads in our media lab and work on real-world advertising projects locally and nationally.

The journalism concentration provides students with the reporting, interviewing, writing and multimedia experience needed to thrive in today’s digital journalism landscape. Our professors combine the rigor of classroom teaching with real-world assignments that give students hands-on experience combining news articles, photos, and audio and video clips into convergent media packages.

The public relations concentration provides experiential learning environments in which student teams work directly with real-world clients to tackle the greater tasks of engaging consumers, employees, governments and citizens in compelling conversations through an array of multimodal formats. Through this concentration, public relations students build relationships, resumes and the necessary experience that prepares them to compete in the 21st-century marketplace.

The advertising minor focuses on the practical and theoretical aspects of the advertising industry. Advertising courses cover advertising principles, copywriting for a variety of media, producing ads in the computer lab, and working on actual advertising projects in the local community. 

The journalism minor helps students refine their writing skills and define the area in which they may best use their talents in the profession. Journalism students take courses in news writing fundamentals, news reporting and feature writing as well as a practicum based on researching and writing stories for the student newspaper, The Salem State Log.

The Media & Communication minor provides students with an introduction to the field of media and communication. Beyond the introductory course, students have the opportunity to select courses that align with their interests, providing a well-rounded overview of the field..

The Media and Social Change minor focuses on the intersection of media, social justice, and advocacy.  Beginning with a broader overview of the Communication discipline, then moving deeper into media studies courses that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, this minor engages students at every level of media creation and consumption to be advocates and catalysts for social change.

The public relations minor prepares students to represent clients effectively, either as freelance agents or in private, corporate or public capacities. Public relations students study the principles of the PR profession and actual cases, take basic and advanced PR writing courses, and learn to develop publicity for groups on and off campus.