Mass Communications

• Broadcast Production

  The Broadcast Production track allows Mass Communication students to receive extensive studio and field training in audio and video production. Students work with equipment in SHSU's student-run Cable 7 TV and KSHU 90.5 radio station as well as other university facilities.

  Department curriculum requirements

  • MCOM 1330 Mass Communication and Society
  • MCOM 1332 Writing for Mass Media
  • MCOM 1371 Audio Production
  • MCOM 2371 TV & Film Production
  • MCOM 3372 Advanced Production & Editing
  • MCOM 3373 Studio Production
  • MCOM 3375 Scriptwriting
  • MCOM 3377 Multi-cam Studio Production
  • MCOM 4371 Mass Media Law & Ethics
  • MCOM 4373 Advanced Production OR MCOM 4378 Multi-cam Projects

  Students should select six hours of electives from the following courses

  • MCOM 3026 Media Practicum
  • MCOM 3351 Motion Picture Aesthetics
  • MCOM 3371 Advanced Audio Production
  • MCOM 3378 Production Management
  • MCOM 4398 Professional Internship
• Film Production

  The Film Production track provides students interested in digital cinema with the basics of film production and the visual lexicon. This includes fundamental film production and post-production skills as well as an examination of contemporary and historical films in terms of style an context. This knowledge allows the student to have an appreciation of the tasks involved in filmmaking, developing skills to critically examine film texts and prepares students for an exciting career in the filmmaking industry.

  Department curriculum requirements

  • MCOM 1330 Mass Communication and Society
  • MCOM 1332 Writing for Mass Media
  • MCOM 1371 Audio Production
  • MCOM 2351 Film History and Criticism
  • MCOM 2371 TV & Film Production
  • MCOM 3351 Motion Picture Aesthetics
  • MCOM 3352 Cinematography
  • MCOM 3353 Advanced Editing for Film
  • MCOM 3372 Advanced Production & Editing
  • MCOM 3375 Scriptwriting
  • MCOM 4371 Mass Media Law & Ethics
  • MCOM 4399 Directed Studies (Film Thesis)

  Students will create film projects in MCOM 2371, MCOM 3352, MCOM 3353 & MCOM 4399

  Students should select department electives from the following courses

  • MCOM 3026 Media Practicum -- Group Film
  • MCOM 3371 Advanced Audio Production
  • MCOM 3373 Studio Production
  • MCOM 3378 Production Management
  • MCOM 3379 Multi-Camera Field Production (Sports and Music Venues)
  • MCOM 4398 Professional Internship

  Electives from other SHSU departments

  • THEA 2360 Beginning Production Design
  • THEA 4331 Acting for the Camera
  • THEA 4366 Directing
  • THEA 4361 Stage Lighting
• Film and TV Production

  The BFA in Film and TV Production offers a comprehensive program that engages students with theoretical concepts and principles, training in software used in the post production industry, and courses that develop skills in specific areas that are necessary to create professional media content. Students will be prepared for employment in film, television, and new digital media industries.

  Department curriculum requirements

  • MCOM 1330 Analysis of Electronic Culture
  • MCOM 1332 Writing for Mass Media
  • THEA 1364 Beginning Acting
  • MCOM 1371 Audio Production and Performance
  • MCOM 2351 Film History and Criticism
  • MCOM 2371 TV & Film Production
  • MCOM 3351 Moving Image Aesthetics
  • MCOM 3352 Cinematography
  • MCOM 3353 Advanced Editing for Film & TV
  • MCOM 3359 Directing for Film and TV
  • MCOM 3372 Single Camera & Non-linear Edit I
  • MCOM 3375 Scriptwriting
  • MCOM 3377 Multi-Camera Studio Production
  • MCOM 3378 Production Management
  • MCOM 3379 Multi-Camera Field Production
  • THEA 4331 Acting for the Camera
  • MCOM 4351 New Media Platforms
  • MCOM 4371 Mass Media Law and Ethics
  • MCOM 4373 Advanced Production
  • MCOM 4375 Advanced Screenwriting
  • MCOM 4378 Multi-Camera Remotes
  • MCOM 4379 Directing Multi-cam Productions
  • MCOM 4398 Professional Internship
  • MCOM 4099 Independent Study
• Multiplatform Journalism

  The Multiplatform Journalism track prepares students for careers in journalism and mass communication. Journalistic writing, visual and online communication make up the core of the professional program. Students are provided a solid foundation in reporting news for television, radio, online and in print. Through electives, students can focus on a specific area such as broadcast journalism for television and radio, print journalism for newspaper and magazines, and online journalism.

  Department curriculum requirements

  • MCOM 1330 Mass Communication and Society
  • MCOM 1332 Writing for Mass Media
  • MCOM 1371 Audio Production
  • MCOM 2362 News Reporting and Editing
  • MCOM 2371 TV & Film Production
  • MCOM 3362 Media Criticism
  • MCOM 3372 Single Camera and Non-Linear Editing
  • MCOM 3374 Broadcast Journalism
  • MCOM 4365 Online Journalism
  • MCOM 4370 News Producing OR MCOM 4364 Investigative Reporting
  • MCOM 4371 Mass Media Law & Ethics
  • MCOM 4383 Audience Research Analysis

  Students should select department electives from the following courses

  • MCOM 3026 Media Practicum (Channel 7 News, KSHU 90.5 or The Houstonian print and online)
  • MCOM 3371 Advanced Audio Production
  • MCOM 3360 Specialized Writing
  • MCOM 3364 News Editing
  • MCOM 4366 Social Implication of Media
  • MCOM 4398 Professional Internship
• Public Relations/Advertising

  Today's marketplace increasingly requires communication practitioners to be more versatile, to understand global media and to be able to integrate communication methods across once-separate disciplines. Graduates of this track will have command of tools, techniques and strategies required for entry-level jobs in strategic communication in public relations and advertising. Additionally, graduates will have expertise in using those tools to think critically and creatively to solve communication problems in management-level positions.

  Department curriculum requirements

  • MCOM 1330 Mass Communication and Society
  • MCOM 1332 Writing for Mass Media
  • MCOM 2381 Visual Communication for Media
  • MCOM 2371 TV & Film Production (Section restricted for PR/Advertising students only)
  • MCOM 2382 Design for PR and Advertising
  • MCOM 3381 Principles of Public Relations
  • MCOM 3382 Principles of Advertising
  • MCOM 3383 Writing for PR and Advertising
  • MCOM 3388 Sales and Marketing OR MCOM 4382 Special Topics in PR and Advertising
  • MCOM 4383 Audience Research and Analysis
  • MCOM 4390 Campaigns and Promotions
  • MCOM 4371 Mass Media Law & Ethics
  • MCOM 3385 Advanced Writing for PR and Advertising

  Students should select department electives from the following courses

  • MCOM 4384 Advanced Design for PR and Advertising
  • MCOM 4393 Global Media Communication
  • MCOM 4398 Professional Internship
  • MCOM 4399 A Priority One
  • MCOM 4399 B Cross Disciplinary Project

Graduate Program

The department offers a Master of Arts in Digital Media with an emphasis either in digital media production or digital media studies.