Mass Media Degree

The Mass Media curriculum provides Washburn students with a rich diversity of media studies in the areas of Creative Advertising, Film and Video, PublicRelations, and contemporary Journalism. The courses within these areas prepare students for careers in the applied media professions and graduate studies. The Mass Media program emphasizes multimedia skills necessary for students to pursue opportunities in traditional as well as new media industries, including independent entrepreneurial enterprises. The major and minor can be selected in combination with other majors offered in the College of Arts and Sciences and other Schools within the University.

The Major 

Majors must complete a total of 40 hours. This includes a variety of core course requirements, courses in a selected area of emphasis, and elective offerings chosen in consultation with an advisor. All majors must also complete CN 150 Public Speaking as part of their general education requirements. 

All majors must complete a 15-22/hour minor. Upon completion of the minor the student must fill out the minor form and have it signed by the department conferring the minor. 

The Minor 

The minor in Mass Media consists of 18 credit hours. Students are required to complete MM 100 and 199 in addition to one of the following: MM 202, MM 203, or MM 212.  

An additional 9 hours are selected in consultation with a media advisor. A minor can be developed in creative advertising, film and video, public relations, contemporary journalism or a combination of these areas. 

Internship 

Internships are required for all students. The Mass Media faculty members maintain a network of contacts with professionals in radio, TV and cable companies, production companies, newspapers, advertising and public relations agencies, and business and professional organizations. The Internship Coordinator must approve internships. Students work a total of 192 hours for the organization. Twenty-four hours of credit in the major must be completed prior to the internship experience. To view internship and job opportunities visit the Mass Media Wiki.

For information or questions about Mass Media internships, please email: massmedia@washburn.edu. 

Departmental Honors 

To graduate with honors from the Department of Mass Media, a student must: 

• Attain a grade point average of 3.5 in the major and 3.0 overall.
• Complete an application for departmental honors at least one full semester before graduation. The application must be signed by the MM faculty member who will supervise the honors project.
• As part of the application the student must submit a proposal for a project to be carried out as part of a MM class or other relevant department activity. The project must go beyond the minimum required for a class assignment.
• The proposed project must be approved by a three-member faculty committee, which includes the honors project adviser.
• The finished project must be completed at least three weeks before graduation and presented to the three-member committee, which must approve the project and recommend the student for Departmental Honors to MM faculty.
• A copy of the project must be filed with the department office. This can be in the form of a written report, audio or video tape, a series of published articles, or a planned communication campaign

Scholarships & Awards 

The Washburn University Financial Aid office is dedicated to assisting students with the process of applying for and receiving their financial aid.  Please visit the WU Financial Aid page for a comprehensive listing of all available aid.

To apply for Federal aid please visit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid web site.

For information or questions about Mass Media scholarships, please email: massmedia@washburn.edu