B.A. in Creative Industries and Entrepreneurship
York College of Pennsylvania offers over 70 baccalaureate majors across professional pr...
B.A. in Mass Communication
York, Pennsylvania
INTAKE: August
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Mass Communication at York College of Pennsylvania offers a dynamic and practical program designed for students eager to understand how various forms of media influence public perception and behavior. This program delves into digital, print, and broadcast media, equipping students with the technical skills and critical thinking necessary to craft impactful content for large audiences. Whether aspiring to be on camera or working behind the scenes, graduates learn video and audio production techniques, editing software mastery, and broadcast journalism methods, preparing them for a fast-paced and ever-evolving media landscape in fields like journalism, public relations, advertising, and media management.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the B.A. in Mass Communication is comprehensive, encompassing both theoretical foundations and practical application. Students engage in coursework that includes technical audio and video production, on-camera broadcast performance, and media relations. Key areas of study often include communication theory, introduction to new media, persuasion, media law and ethics, and potentially specialized courses in areas like advertising, public relations, social media, and brand management, depending on specific program concentrations or electives. The program emphasizes hands-on experience, ensuring students are proficient in using industry-standard tools and techniques for content creation and dissemination.
Research Focus: The "research focus" within the Mass Communication program at York College is largely applied and practical, aimed at understanding and analyzing communication phenomena. Students engage in studying the impact of various media forms on public perception and behavior. This involves developing skills in media research, analyzing audience engagement, and understanding the effectiveness of different communication strategies. While not traditional scientific research in a lab setting, the inquiry is rooted in critical analysis of media content and its influence. Students may also engage in project-based learning that requires researching target demographics and developing data-informed social media strategies, preparing them to make evidence-based decisions in their future careers.
Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a significant strength of the Mass Communication program, preparing students for direct entry into media careers. The program provides opportunities for hands-on experience through student organizations like the campus newspaper, The Spartan, and the campus radio station, WVYC, allowing students to create news and develop content. Students also gain access to services like the 24-hour Associated Press satellite news service and CNN Newsource, mirroring professional news outlets. The program likely encourages internships with local media companies, public relations firms, or marketing agencies to gain invaluable real-world experience and build professional networks. Collaborative projects, such as developing public relations campaigns for local clients, further bridge academic learning with industry practice.
Global Perspective: The B.A. in Mass Communication program at York College of Pennsylvania inherently fosters a global perspective by addressing a field that is universally interconnected. In today's digital age, media content and communication trends transcend national borders, requiring an understanding of diverse global audiences, cultural nuances in messaging, and international media landscapes. While not explicitly highlighted with dedicated "global communication" courses, the curriculum's emphasis on effective dissemination of information to large audiences, combined with exposure to global news services, implicitly prepares graduates to engage with and contribute to a globally interconnected media industry. The broad nature of mass communication ensures graduates are adaptable to international communication challenges and opportunities.
Location
York, Pennsylvania
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
USD 26920
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for undergraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 65% or above in their previous academic qualifications.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.0 or 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 58 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
York College of Pennsylvania offers a variety of scholarship opportunities specifically aimed at supporting international students in achieving their academic goals while easing financial burdens. These scholarships are designed to recognize academic excellence, leadership potential, and other special talents among international applicants.
Merit-Based Scholarships: International students applying to York College are considered for merit-based scholarships automatically during the admissions process. These scholarships are awarded based on academic achievements, standardized test scores, and overall application strength. High-achieving students can receive significant tuition discounts, which help make studying in the U.S. more affordable.
International Student Scholarships: York College provides dedicated scholarships for international students, which may include renewable awards throughout the duration of their degree program. These scholarships acknowledge the diverse backgrounds and contributions international students bring to the campus community.
Departmental Scholarships: Certain academic departments at York College offer scholarships to students who demonstrate exceptional performance or promise in their chosen field of study. International students are encouraged to explore these opportunities by contacting their academic departments directly.
York College of Pennsylvania's Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Mass Communication is a practical and dynamic program designed for students interested in understanding how various forms of media shape public perception and behavior.
Broadcast Journalist/Reporter: Gathers, investigates, and reports news for television or radio. This includes on-air reporting, interviewing, and delivering news segments, often leveraging skills in live production and on-camera presence.
Public Relations Specialist/Account Executive: Manages the public image and communication strategies for individuals, companies, or organizations. This involves writing press releases, managing media relations, handling crisis communication, and developing campaigns to shape public perception.
Digital Marketing Specialist: Develops and implements online marketing strategies, including social media campaigns, content marketing, email marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO), to promote products or services and engage target audiences.
Content Creator/Strategist: Produces engaging written, video, and audio content for websites, blogs, social media platforms, and other digital channels. A Content Strategist also plans the overall content roadmap to align with organizational goals.
Video Editor: Edits raw video footage into polished, cohesive final products for various platforms, including broadcast, film, corporate videos, or social media. This role requires proficiency in editing software and a strong sense of storytelling.
Social Media Manager: Manages an organization's social media presence, creating content, scheduling posts, engaging with followers, analyzing performance metrics, and staying updated on social media trends.
Media Planner/Buyer: Works for advertising agencies or marketing departments to strategically determine the best media channels (e.g., TV, radio, digital, print) to reach a target audience for advertising campaigns, and then negotiates the purchase of media space or time.
Corporate Communications Specialist: Manages internal and external communications for a company, drafting company announcements, employee newsletters, executive communications, and ensuring consistent messaging that aligns with corporate values.
Podcast Producer/Host: Creates, records, edits, and produces audio podcasts. This can involve researching topics, conducting interviews, managing sound quality, and distributing episodes on various platforms.
Event Manager/Coordinator (Communications Focus): Plans, coordinates, and executes events (e.g., corporate functions, conferences, public relations events), often responsible for all communication aspects, including promotions, media outreach, and attendee engagement.
