B.A. in Communication and Media Studies

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Communication and Media Studies at Fisher College is a dynamic and interdisciplinary program designed to provide students with a commanding grasp of verbal and visual communication. The curriculum prepares students for success across various professional contexts, including advertising, public relations, journalism, and video production. It fosters the development of critical skills such as creative thinking, understanding audience needs, effective writing, video editing, and compelling presentations. Offered both on-campus in Boston with specific concentrations and online for convenience, the program emphasizes both theoretical study of media trends and practical application through real-world campaigns and creative projects.

Curriculum: The B.A. in Communication and Media Studies curriculum at Fisher College is comprehensive, requiring 39 program-specific credits (plus general education requirements) and allows students to specialize through one of four concentrations: Advertising, Journalism, Public Relations, or Video Production. Core courses common to all concentrations include Introduction to Human Communications, Introduction to Mass Communication, Media Writing, Introduction to Digital Video Production, Communication Theory, Media Criticism, and a Senior Seminar. Each concentration adds specialized coursework; for example, Advertising includes courses like "Advertising Campaigns" and "Writing for Social Media," while Journalism focuses on "Advanced Reporting" and "Broadcast Journalism." Public Relations covers "Public Relations Campaigns" and "Principles of Management," and Video Production delves into "Advanced Digital Video Production" and "Documentary Productions." A mandatory Communication & Media Studies Internship provides crucial hands-on experience.

Research Focus: The B.A. in Communication and Media Studies program at Fisher College emphasizes an applied research focus, training students to critically analyze media texts, conduct audience analysis, and apply research to message construction. Students learn to "conduct and apply relevant audience analysis research to message construction in order to achieve targeted communication goals and objectives." They are also taught to "interpret and critique media texts from various humanistic methodologies and perspectives to better understand how messages are constructed and audiences interpret meaning." This involves understanding how factors like new technology, the economy, the legal system, business, and societal values influence communication practices and media industries. Through projects and coursework, students develop the ability to research trends, evaluate communication strategies, and inform their creative and professional work with data-driven insights.

Industry Engagement: Fisher College's B.A. in Communication and Media Studies program demonstrates robust industry engagement through its strong emphasis on practical experience and connections to professional fields. A core component is the required Communication & Media Studies Internship, which provides students with invaluable opportunities to apply their skills in real-world settings within advertising agencies, news organizations, public relations firms, video production companies, or corporate communication departments. The curriculum is designed to cultivate skills highly desired by employers, such as creating real-world campaigns, video editing, web design, and preparing presentations, directly aligning with industry needs. The college leverages its Boston location to offer connections to a vibrant media market, further enhancing opportunities for hands-on learning and professional networking with industry and business leaders.

Global Perspective: Fisher College is committed to fostering a global perspective, and the B.A. in Communication and Media Studies program contributes significantly by exploring the worldwide impact of media and communication. The curriculum's focus on understanding "how new technology... and societal values influence our communication conduct and media industry practices" inherently involves a global outlook, recognizing that communication transcends national borders. Students learn to develop messages that are effective for "targeted communication goals and objectives," which can extend to diverse global audiences. While specific "global communication" courses were not explicitly detailed beyond the general curriculum, the diverse international student body at Fisher College naturally promotes cross-cultural understanding and dialogue. This prepares graduates to navigate the complexities of a globally interconnected media landscape, whether working with international campaigns, reporting on global events, or understanding diverse cultural communication norms.