Mass Communication

Majors & Minors
Mass Communication

Mass Communication

“Our entire program is dedicated to preparing us for our job. Rather than taking tests and doing homework, we go out into the field and write stories like real reporters. I feel confident in my craft and I learn something new about journalism every single day.”

Meet Nicole Mistretta, mass communication major with a concentration in journalism

You should major in mass communication if:

You enjoy speaking with people of all interests and backgrounds.
You want a media career such as multimedia journalist, TV anchor, or documentary filmmaker.
You have a broad curiosity and are eager to learn, write about, and report on many subjects.

Get ready to enter the fast-paced world of news and media.

With a major in mass communication, you will build a portfolio through hands-on classes and internships. Learn to be a journalist by focusing on written publications or multimedia productions. Discover how to research, interview, and learn the production skills to bring your story to life.

Mass communication majors dive into reporting and storytelling careers, working as news reporters, multimedia journalists, news editors, sports journalists, sports commentators, TV anchors, video producers, or documentary filmmakers.

Mass communication majors at UL Lafayette choose between two concentrations:

Broadcasting
Journalism

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Major in Strategic Communication

Mass Communication at UL Lafayette

What's Mass Communication Like?

Internships
Lab & studio work
Reading & writing
Theory
Interviewing
Group work & collaboration

This distinction means we are among the top journalism programs in the country.

Life as a Mass Communication Major

Poster for "Lafayette, The Hub City" Documentary

Award-Winning Stories

Lafayette’s rich and diverse culture means there are so many stories to tell: from sports to social justice, the arts to environmental issues. Our students’ broadcasts and documentaries have won awards from the Southeastern Journalism Conference and at — and our .

Internships

All mass communication majors are required to complete an internship. Internships give you hands-on reporting and producing experience at Lafayette’s broadcast stations and for online or print publications. Examples of broadcast and production internships include opportunities at Acadiana Open Channel and our on-campus radio station KRVS Radio Acadie.

Studios & Labs

Learn how to operate cameras, run a show, and create story packages in our full-scale TV broadcast studio, audio and video production labs. The Department of Communication has its own library, specialized computer lab for student work, and a fully functioning broadcast studio with video equipment for advanced courses in broadcasting and moving image arts.

Travel & Network

Go abroad with the Department of Communication and the Study Abroad program with classes on travel writing, photojournalism, and more. Or, stay closer to home by traveling to conferences across the country to meet professionals. Developing these valuable connections will catapult you into the news industry after graduation. Student organizations like the National Broadcasting Society, Broadcasting Education Association, , and National Association of Black Journalists provide additional networking opportunities.

Concentrations in Mass Communication

Journalism

The journalism concentration focuses on digital multimedia journalism, data journalism, and traditional print journalism. Develop stories, interview sources, check facts, edit copy, and write objective news and entertaining features.

Broadcasting

Broadcasting majors learn to produce video stories and podcasts, anchor news, sports, and entertainment features, and explore storytelling methods through hands-on classes and internships at radio and television stations.

Real Reporting by Real Students

As a journalism major, you have the opportunity to have your stories published in the student-run newspaper.

UL Lafayette hosts a student-run online TV news operation featuring stories by broadcasting majors.

Journalism majors contribute to the online-first, multimedia training program.

Mass Communication Courses According to Students

Freshman Year Sophomore Year Junior Year Senior Year

CMCN 170: Media in the 21st Century

This class in particular put me outside my comfort zone to a degree I hadn’t really experienced yet. I learned new skills and it really forced me to open up with my peers, work with them, and rely on their strengths.”

Tim Didier, Mass Communication Major

Careers in Mass Communication

Eman Boyd

“If anybody who's thinking about getting into broadcasting and starting here in Lafayette, I think it's a great place to start because it will prepare you further down the line if you plan on going somewhere else.”

Broadcasting, '19

Nightside Reporter for KATC TV3

Meet Eman Boyd

Mass Communication Jobs

TV Anchor
Video Producer
Audio Producer
Multimedia Content Creator
Editor
Reporter

Program Requirements

Admissions Requirements

To major in mass communication, you must meet the University's admissions requirements.
See the full admission requirements.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate with a degree in mass communication, you must earn a “C” or better in all communications courses and satisfy the general education requirements.

See full requirements in the University catalog:

Internship Requirements

Mass communication majors must complete an internship during your senior year. The department will help connect you with potential internship sites and give you instructions for how to secure one of those internships.

Minor Requirements

You are also required to complete an 18-credit-hour minor (with at least 6 hours at the 300- or 400-level) outside the Communication Department. Most students will pick a minor in a discipline related to their profession. For example, if you would like to be a multimedia journalist you might choose to complete a minor in English; if you would like to be a TV anchor you might choose a minor in theater.

Explore all minors.

To earn your journalism minor, you must take 18 credit hours in newswriting, reporting, editing, and visual communication.

To earn your minor in mass communication/broadcasting, you must take 18 credit hours in news writing, audio production, and video production.

We also offer a general communication minor. All classes for this minor are available to complete online. Choose your 18 credit hours from

Resources

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Mass Communication

Meet Nicole Mistretta, mass communication major with a concentration in journalism

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