Communication, Journalism and Media, Visual Media Concentration, BS
Shippensburg University's Bachelor of Science in Communication, Journalism and Media is one of only three nationally accredited programs in Pennsylvania and the only one in Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. The visual media concentration prepares you for careers in photography, photojournalism, documentary storytelling, magazine design and web and social media design and more.
What Will I Learn?
In this program you will learn:
- to communicate effectively with diverse audiences using visual content
- basic digital photographic techniques
- advanced photographic techniques, including HDR photography; lighting and studio techniques for portrait, fashion and product photography; sports and action photography; and night photography
- concepts and techniques of documentary storytelling; effective web and social media design; and creative publication design, including magazines and other print media
- industry-standard software and technology to take and edit photographs for a variety of applications, record and edit video for documentaries, design and build websites and social media platforms, and design and layout magazines and other publications.
The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) is the agency responsible for the evaluation of professional journalism and mass communications programs in colleges and universities. There are 119 schools accredited by ACEJMC.
PRNEWS Education A-List recognizes the best institutions of higher education for career advancement in PR and marketing communications. Their editorial staff examined factors such as curricula, diversity, faculty composition, academic awards and capstone courses. On- and off-campus offerings, such as internships, are considered; as well as how the schools' curricula reflected the changing nature of communication.
What are the requirements for this degree?
Students must take 48 credits in the Communication/Journalism major to graduate. Those transferring into the major must have a 2.3 GPA.
What Types of Careers Could I Get With This Degree?
As a prospective student interested in this program, “What types of careers are available in this field?" :
- Communications associate
- Creative specialist/strategist
- Criminal investigation photographer
- Digital media creator
- Media specialist
- Photo editor
- Photographer
- Photographic archivist
- Photojournalist
- Publication designer
- Visual content producer
- Web designer
What Career Outcomes Do Alumni Have With This Degree?
What Kinds of Experiences Could I Have?
The program has small class sizes for all skills courses. All writing and technology skills courses are limited to 20 students. You will have access to faculty, technology and photo and video equipment in class as well as outside of class through your work with student-run media organizations. You will work in the department’s Mac and PC labs and its video and audio editing labs, as well as on your own mobile devices. Expect to work with the nationally recognized SU chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America; The Slate and theslateonline.com, the Keystone Press Award-winning student-run newspaper; and SUTV, winner of multiple university student production awards from the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.