Oklahoma State University

1191

School of Media and Strategic Communications

Undergraduate Proficiency Review Successfully passing the proficiency review is required to enroll in upper- division major requirements. The Proficiency Review includes: 1. 2.75 graduation retention GPA; 2. At least 12 OSU earned hours and a 2.75 graduation retention GPA in those hours; 3. Grade of “C” or better for MC 2003 and MC 2023; and 4. Passing score on the Language Proficiency Exam. Students are permitted two attempts to pass the Language Proficiency Exam. Students who fail to pass the Language Proficiency Exam after two attempts will be suspended from the SMSC major and not eligible for readmission. Requirements for Graduation The degree programs of study offered in the School of Media and Strategic Communications are built around strong writing, liberal arts and professional components. Of the 120 hours required to earn a degree in SMSC, students must complete up to 45 semester hours in media and strategic communications courses. Students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA in all SMSC courses and major requirements with a minimum grade of "C" in each course. No more than 12 hours in SMSC courses may be transferred from other institutions. All three degree options in SMSC are also required to develop and maintain a portfolio exhibiting their best and most appropriate work as well as assignments required for the portfolio. Portfolios will be turned in during senior capstone courses as part of their graduation requirements. School faculty, staff and industry professionals will evaluate these portfolios periodically and offer guidance and constructive criticism. It is anticipated that the portfolios will be helpful in showcasing students' performance when they apply for internships or jobs. Multimedia Journalism The many changes in the media environment require that students should have expertise in journalism and storytelling in all media formats. The degree in multimedia journalism will allow graduates to work with any media platform, be it print, television, radio or the internet. While students will develop their skills across all media platforms they will be able to specialize in one of two areas: multimedia journalism, news or multimedia production. Students learn the basics of journalism writing and reporting for print, online, audio and video production on state-of-the-art equipment and are challenged to put those skills to use by participating in the daily operations of Student Media at OSU including: The O'Colly, O'Colly Advertising, KXZY, Orange House, O'Cast, Bullet Broadcast and Modmuze. Students also create content for OState.tv, the OSU online TV station. Students gain on-the-job multimedia experience through internships and some hold part-time jobs as campus correspondents for various publications or work for media in the Stillwater area. Internships at broadcast and cable outlets in the region also provide students with on-the-job experience and a valuable opportunity to work with seasoned media professionals. Many juniors and seniors find this work a source of revenue to assist them in the cost of their education. The multimedia program is affiliated with the Oklahoma Press Association, Southwest Journalism Congress, the Society of Professional Journalists, the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of FM Broadcasters, Radio Advertising Bureau,

At Oklahoma State University, the professional areas of mass communication are grouped in the School of Media and Strategic Communications (SMSC). These areas seek to complement each other with a minimum of duplication. Degrees offered include a bachelor of arts and sciences in Multimedia Journalism, Sports Media and Strategic Communication. A modern democratic society cannot live by its ideals if its mass media practitioners are merely competent technicians who worry less about what is reported to the people than how it is reported. Citizens must have accurate information about social, political and economic problems as well as knowledge of actions taken by government agencies and organizations at all levels. From village council to Supreme Court, there can be no exception from the rule that public business is the public's business. To speak to people through different media, whether as a journalist or a strategic communication practitioner, requires knowledge of the people to whom or on whose behalf one wishes to speak and an understanding of the world in which they live. Therefore, the curricula of the School of Media and Strategic Communications are designed to offer more than training in communication techniques. Three-quarters of the SMSC student's time at the University is devoted to a liberal education in the arts and sciences. At the same time, the student gains competence in a professional field through courses in the SMSC. On graduation, undergraduate students in the School of Media and Strategic Communications will be able to: 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the relevant constitutional freedoms, legal issues and ethical principles in mass communications, 2. Demonstrate an understanding of the relevance of human diversity in mass communications, 3. Demonstrate an understanding of the history and social role of mass communications, 4. Demonstrate critical, creative and individual thinking, 5. Demonstrate an understanding of the relevant theories and concepts of mass communications, 6. Demonstrate an understanding of the methods and techniques of research and information gathering, 7. Demonstrate appropriate writing, editing and production techniques in mass communications, and 8. Demonstrate an understanding of relevant planning and management methods in mass communications. Accreditation The undergraduate programs of study in the School of Media and Strategic Communications are accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. Admission to the Undergraduate Program A 2.75 graduation retention GPA and at least 28 hours completed required to initially declare major.