Through sequenced study in Digital Media & Entertainment, Film & Video Production, Journalism, and Public Relations, students are educated and trained across media industries to meet the demands of a complex, technological media landscape and multicultural society. Across areas of concentration, students master an understanding of the paramount economic, legal/policy, ethical, social, and effects issues facing mass media within the context of freedom of speech, freedom of press, media competition, and media convergence.
The curriculum offers a balance of theoretical and conceptual courses that challenge students to think critically, creatively, and collaboratively, and professional skills courses that give students an opportunity to apply their knowledge in cutting-edge experiential learning labs - bluestone Public Relations Firm, SCFM Productions, The West Georgian, WOLF Radio, and WUTV. Located approximately 45 miles west of Atlanta, the School also gives students the opportunity to regularly network and intern with communication, film, and media professionals in a top-10 media market. Students graduate with portfolios that showcase their scholarship and skills, and give them a competitive edge in the industry.
Digital Media & Entertainment engages students in courses that build knowledge and skills in traditional and emerging digital media. Students explore historical, theoretical, and structural concepts of programming, management, and production of informational and entertainment content to serve today’s multicultural society. Students learn the art and science of successful storytelling, and create and produce original content for multiple digital media platforms in areas such as audio production, broadcasting, esports, live-streaming, music recording, podcasting, radio, social media, television, video, and other forms of digital entertainment and information. Students gain hands-on experience in classes throughout the curriculum, while also having the option of developing skills in student-operated media/experiential learning labs, such as WOLF Radio and WUTV.
Film & Video Production engages students in courses that build knowledge and skills in writing, analysis, production, and editing for film and video outlets. Students learn the art of cinematic storytelling, image design, and sound editing along with advanced post-production techniques and strategies within the broader field of film and video production. Students gain hands-on experience early on and throughout their tenure with workshops, seminars, and collaborative projects that lead to the distribution of their work via various traditional and digital outlets, e.g., competitions, film festivals, online platforms, screenings, social media, etc. Students also have the option of developing skills in student-operated media/experiential learning labs, such as SCFM Productions, WOLF Radio, and WUTV.
Journalism engages students in courses that build knowledge and skills in writing, reporting, and producing socially responsible and responsive news in today’s multimedia landscape. Students learn to exercise news judgment, honor the tenets of journalism, and create news for and with audiences across traditional and emerging digital media platforms. Students gain hands-on experience early on and throughout their tenure with The West Georgian, WOLF Radio, and WUTV.
Public Relations engages students in courses that build knowledge and skills in today’s multicultural domestic and global public relations industry. Students learn the importance of and processes behind building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and target publics through effective interactive communication. Students also gain hands-on experience in media relations, community relations, and employee relations through bluestone Public Relations Firm and experiential and service learning projects for private, nonprofit, corporate, and public sector clients.
Additionally, outstanding students pursuing this degree may apply to the Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree Program, which offers the opportunity to simultaneously satisfy partial degree requirements for a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in an accelerated program of study. Up to two courses taken as an undergraduate can be applied toward the Master’s degree in Digital and Social Media Communication.
Upon completion of the B.S. in Mass Communications with a satisfactory undergraduate grade point average and a grade of “B” or better in all graduate courses completed, the student may move to full graduate status in the M.S. in Digital and Social Media Communication, and the courses taken as an undergraduate will be applied toward the graduate degree.
Below are the graduate courses for which students can receive credit toward both the graduate and undergraduate degrees, along with the undergraduate courses which they would replace. Students on this pathway may receive credit for up to two such courses for a B.S. in Mass Communications.
- COMM 6654 - Digital and Social Media Communication Law can replace COMM 4454 - Media Law
- COMM 6684 - Research Methods in Digital and Social Media Communication can replace COMM 4484 - Mass Communications Research Methods
- COMM 6600 - Digital and Social Media Communication Theories can replace COMM 4600 - Communication Theory
Learning Outcomes
ACEJMC requires that, irrespective of their particular specialization, all graduates should be aware of certain core values and competencies and be able to:
• apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, in a global context, and for the country in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located;
• demonstrate an understanding of the multicultural history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications;
• demonstrate culturally proficient communication that empowers those traditionally disenfranchised in society, especially as grounded in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and ability, domestically and globally, across communication and media contexts;
• present images and information effectively and creatively, using appropriate tools and technologies;
• write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve;
• demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity;
• apply critical thinking skills in conducting research and evaluating information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work;
• effectively and correctly apply basic numerical and statistical concepts;
• critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness;
• apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.