Bachelor of Arts
Media & Communication
Program Overview
THE WORLD IS FULL of evocative content, and you have been exposed to it from the moment you learned how to use a computer or a cellphone. Even if you’ve already created an app, edited a photo, or produced a video, do you want your work to rise above the competition?
Whether your passion is film, music, television, news, photography, or any aspect of the media landscape, you’ll develop your skills under the tutelage of an experienced group of faculty. Our small classes let faculty really get to know you. Plus, you’ll have lots of time with our inventory of industry-standard equipment.
As an undergraduate student in our media communications program, you will have access to hands-on experiences in the classroom. These will help you gain an understanding of media theories and so much more. With a media studies degree from JWU you will have immense knowledge of the media industry.
Learn to dissect the power that media has to shape the way we live. You’ll analyze theories of specific media and focus your studies in advertising, production, writing, or management. Our interdisciplinary approach allows you to view the world through a variety of perspectives. And you’ll have an opportunity to get involved in our media clubs, such as the campus newspaper (the Campus Herald), the student radio station (JWU Live), the music & entertainment industry club (MEISA), and the JWU Film Production Club.
Earning a bachelor’s degree in our Media & Communication major will help prepare you for a future career in a variety of media related fields.
Tour the Center for Media Production
Located in the heart of JWU Providence’s Downcity Campus, the Center for Media Production is a versatile space that students from every major can utilize.
The Center boasts a full range of equipment and spaces, including:
- two light-controlled studio spaces with moveable green screens
- soundproofed podcast studio
- two editing suites
- writer’s room
- 24 powerful Mac Pro work stations
- 4k projector and projection screen
- high-end video and photo equipment
“The most beneficial thing is all the different spaces the Center offers,” said MCST major Sydney Ferreras '21. “When you’re in an actual studio you feel more professional and idea-driven.”
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Featured Faculty
Professor
My scholarly research revolves around the intersections of popular media, contemporary politics and social identity.
Professor
My teaching interests vary from the history and theory of culture to the sociology of media production and consumption.
Professor
The pieces my students create allow them to connect and share their stories with others in a manner that encourages the free exchange of innovative ideas which mirrors my approach to filmmaking.
Sample Courses
Explore the full JWU Catalog course listing:
In addition to classes, free elective credit can be applied to a number of options such as Directed Experiential Education (DEE), internship, minor or study abroad. You are encouraged to contact an advisor before scheduling free elective credits.
Occupational Outlook*
Some professions may require additional study, background checks, certifications, licenses, exams and/or experience as required qualifications for employment. Students are responsible for verifying that they can meet the employment requirements of potential employers.
| Occupation | Growth | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Art Directors | 4% | $100,890 |
| Communications Teachers, postsecondary | 12% | $79,640 |
| Editors | -5% | $63,350 |
| Film and Video Editors and Camera Operators | 12% | $60,360 |
| Graphic Designers | 3% | $50,710 |
| Market Research Analysts | 19% | $63,920 |
| Marketing Managers | 10% | $135,030 |
| Media and Communication Workers | 6% | $62,340 |
| Producers and Directors | 8% | $79,000 |
| Writers and Authors | 4% | $69,510 |
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, . Job outlook: 2021-2031. Median salary: 2021.
Co-Curricular Opportunities
- The Campus Herald
- JWU Live (Radio)
- JWU Ad Club
- JWU Media Production Club
- (MEISA)
- Arts & Sciences News
Facilities
Center for Media Production (Providence): Light-controlled production space / Editing suites outfitted with powerful Mac workstations / Soundproof audio booth / pre-production space / screening space / cutting-edge production equipment with 4K shooting capabilities
Industry Experience
Media & Communication Studies students have interned at such top-tier locations as:
- WPRI/WNAC-TV
- RI International Film Festival
- iHeart Media (Providence and Boston)
- Providence City Council
- NYC Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications
Our Providence campus has hosted a number of guest speakers, including Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, journalist Gwen Ifill, Al Jazeera’s Abderrahim Foukara, NPR television critic Eric Deggans, MIT professor Sherry Turkle, and the Media Education Foundation’s Sut Jhally, among many others.
Internships
“I research brands and venues for artists’ events and develop potential marketing partnerships,” says Katie Gillen '19 (right) on her internship with Sony Music. “I also coordinate orders of all in-store promotional materials for upcoming releases, including Khalid, Cage The Elephant and Sara Bareilles. In addition, I update sales spreadsheets for all events, including signings and release events. Also, I set up pop cycles for upcoming releases, including P!nk and Cage The Elephant.”
Career Opportunities
Media & Communication offers a wide range of potential areas of focus, from film/TV production to the full spectrum of news and cultural writing, including food writing, nonfiction, and writing for radio, television, and film.
- Film & Television Production
- Film & Television Management
- Digital Radio & Music Production
- Digital Radio & Music Management
- Media Marketing & Distribution
- Digital Journalism
- Nonfiction Feature Writing
- Digital & Social Media
Below, watch Professor Christopher Westgate and Jessica Stewart '19, account manager of the RGA Agency, discuss the relevancy of media literacy in today’s media landscape.
Alumni Leaders in Media & Communications
Meet a selection of recent Media & Communication alumni who are blazing new trails in editorial, development, production and media research:
Nyle Vialet '17, Editorial Project Manager, Quarto Publishing Group: “I started off as an editorial intern at Quarto’s Massachusetts office, and after two months of hard work I landed a full-time position. I have since become a project manager for one of the world’s leading illustrated nonfiction book publishers. In the MCST major, I was able to practice what it would be like to work in publishing and was given support for my future goals. This major prepared and encouraged me to challenge my views. If I got the choice to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Natasha Martinez '17, Organizational Development Specialist, Environmental Defense Fund: “I’m responsible for planning and consulting with teams and individuals that need assistance with organizational challenges. This often means creating engaging developmental training sessions and helping staff explore topics such as interpersonal communication, manager-employee relations, and situational leadership. JWU’s MCST program prepared me with skills to serve the emerging needs of a content-rich society. In particular, I learned how people consume information across different media formats.”
Sarah Floyd '20, Boston University graduate student, Television & Production Management: “After graduating from JWU’s MCST program, I decided to pursue a master’s degree. Some of the MCST courses that have assisted in my graduate studies include Global Media, Media Research Methods, Motion Picture Editing, Narrative Filmmaking, Media Industries, and Critical Perspectives on New Media. The knowledge and expertise I gained from these courses have helped me develop an original research question for my upcoming thesis on differences between American and Japanese television. To this day, I am very grateful for the wonderful experience I was able to receive from faculty and peers. I would do it again in a heartbeat if I could.”
