About Our Program
Media and Communication offers diverse job opportunities in the expanding field of media and information technology. Arcadia’s program balances theory with practice, providing a critical understanding of the communication process along with skills for specific careers.
What to Expect
- Three-year accelerated degree option
- Opportunities for specialization in Public Relations, Multimedia Publishing or Screen Media
- Professional internships—here or abroad
- Preparation for careers in business, news and magazine writing, editing, technical writing, creative writing, video production and visual communication
- Student-run online magazine, radio station, and TV channels
- Opportunities to study abroad at some of the top universities around the world
Internship Opportunities
You will complete a closely supervised, professional internship in your senior year. You can choose from among 400 media organizations in the greater Philadelphia area, utilizing their acquired knowledge within the challenges of the workplace. Recent internship sites have included: ABC Sports, the Academy of Natural Sciences, WYSP (radio), the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia Flyers, the Arthritis Foundation, and Philadelphia Magazine.
Facilities and Equipment
Murphy Hall houses the Media and Communication studio, which includes three separate editing rooms. The most current software, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Intel Mac Pro computers and high-definition camcorders are available. In addition, you may utilize the audio recording facility, with Ableton Live, Pro Tools and other software programs in PC and Mac platforms. Your work in various forms of video, documentary, narrative, experimental or animation is supported by expert guidance from the professionals and open access to the facilities.
Double Majors
You have the option to declare a double major. If Media and Communication is one of the majors you've chosen, then no more than two courses may count in both major areas. The Department Chair must approve all double majors.
Communication Concentrations
Students majoring in Media and Communication specialize in one of the following areas:
Public Relations
The concentration in Public Relations focuses on careers in business communication, new media marketing, multimedia/web design, and public relations. Courses in organizational communication, public relations, crisis communication and multimedia for the web provide practical training to be used for successful careers. Supported by professional faculty with strong experience and insights from the field, this concentration offers opportunities for entrepreneurial as well corporate careers.
Multimedia Publishing
Journalism has been reshaped in the age of electronic and social media. A concentration in Multimedia Publishing gives you both a broad training in traditional aspects of newspaper and magazine journalism and training in writing for broadcast media and film. With a strong focus on writing for television and film, along with courses in English and Theater, this concentration prepares you for careers in the fast-changing world of journalism and writing. Working professionals teach our writing courses, bringing a wealth of experience to students and the classroom. Multiple study abroad options and our Global Media program offer opportunities for studying international journalism and multimedia writing.
Screen Media
Supported by a digital post-production facility that provides wide and open access and taught by reputed and experienced faculty, the Screen Media concentration prepares you for a broad range of careers. In addition to video production courses, the concentration also includes coursework in film studies and writing to provide diverse training for the field. Producing creative projects and training in web design augment the Screen Media concentration’s already strong preparation for careers in the film, television, radio, and new media industries, with the groundwork for innovative entrepreneurial ventures. Multiple study abroad options and our Global Media program offer opportunities for studying film production, cinema studies, entertainment industries and electronic media production.
Individualized Concentration
An Individualized Concentration develops a special combination of interdisciplinary courses to meet specific interests of individual students. Approval by the academic adviser is required.
B.A. in Media and Communication Accelerated Degree Requirements
Each student’s program is individualized based on numerous factors including AP, IB or dual enrollment credits earned during high school. Accelerated degree students work closely with two academic advisors to produce a program of study that fits their needs and interests.
Please note that this course sequence is an example only.
The First Year
Fall Semester (16 credits)
- CM101 Introduction to Media Studies
- CM110 Speech Communications
- CM150 Introduction to Film (video)
- BA101 International Business (corporate)
- MA145 Quantitative Models for Decision Making (Finite Math) (corporate)
- EN101 Thought & Expression I
- Global Connections Experience and Reflection
Spring Semester (20 credits)
- CM213 Writing & Communications
- CM275 Video Production I (video)
- EN199 Interpreting Literature
- EN 200-level writing course (print)
- BA201 Financial Accounting (corporate)
- PL165 Occupational Ethics (corporate)
- Modern Language
- Cultural Legacies
Summer (8 credits)
Service Learning Experience (ex: any experience that involves the work of the media in dealing with people in real-life situations)
The Second Year
Fall Semester (20 credits)
- CM250 Visual Cultures
- CM268 Visual Media & The Web
- CM235 Organizational Cultures (corporate)
- CM362 Creative Video (corporate)
- EN200 Journalism Practicum (print)
- BA202 Managerial Accounting (corporate)
- EC210 Principles of Macroeconomics (corporate)
- University Seminar
- Writing
- Natural and Physical World
Spring Semester (20 credits)
- CM325 Media Studies
- CM317 Public Relations and Writing (corporate)
- CM350 Video Production II (video)
- EN318 Journalism II (print)
- English 300-level literature course (print)
- EC211 Principles of Microeconomics (corporate)
- BA/EC 300-level elective (corporate)
- Global Connections Experience and Reflection
- Creative Expressions
Summer (8 credits)
Internship (ex: internship in any media organization in the Greater Philadelphia area)
The Third Year
Fall Semester (16 credits)
- CM460 Senior Seminar I
- CM359 Short Film (video)
- CM319 Writing for Radio and Television (print, video)
- Visual Literacy
- Cultural Legacies
Spring Semester (16 credits)
- CM490 Senior Sem Video
- 300-level English writing course
- Minor in English (print)
- Minor in Cinema Studies (video)
- Minor in International Film (video)
- Minor in Minor in Business Administration/Economics (corporate)
Expand Your Thinking, Give Depth to Your Experience
Studying abroad expands one’s thinking, gives depth to the experience and enlightens minds to welcome and adjust to others in the world. For Media and Communication majors, it is increasingly a professional necessity as we move about in a global village. We live in world where cultures come together and knowledge grows in worldly collaboration and conversation. We strongly recommend that you make the most of this opportunity to spend one semester abroad at one of the exciting programs offered by The College of Global Studies.
Media and Communications majors who plan to study abroad must do so during the sophomore or junior years only. With prior approval, you may take courses to fulfill any University-wide requirement. You must plan your study abroad program at least a year in advance to ensure finding appropriate courses that will transfer to your requirements.
Since it is important that you plan ahead for study abroad, you should consult with your adviser as soon as possible and make your intention known to the department chair and the Office of Global Engagement.
