Journalism & Mass Communication
Welcome to the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at North Carolina A&T State University. Here, you will be able to acquire an education that will make two critical differences in your life. First, it will prepare you to satisfy your interests, advance your causes, and express your passions. In this way, it will help you make good progress toward realizing yourself. Second, it will prepare you to serve your organizations, communities, nation, and world. In this way, it will help you make the kind of difference that moves humanity forward.
The department will help you do these things because of the emphasis it places on two important foundations: The first is the liberal arts – areas such as language, mathematics, history, sociology, chemistry, psychology, politics, biology, ethics and the arts. With these foundations, you develop the ability to understand any and all parts of the world. The second is in the practice of journalism and mass communication – reporting, writing, editing, producing and disseminating reports and presentations, and managing media services. The department believes that by the end of your program of study here, you will be able to combine your understanding of things in the world with your ability to produce reports and presentations on the world. In this way, you will be ready to use your education in journalism and mass communication to advance your self, organizations, and communities. You will be ready to make the world a better place for yourself and others.
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Degree's Offered
INTRODUCED FALL 2012
- NEW! JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION (MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM) - BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
- NEW! JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION (MASS MEDIA PRODUCTION) - BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
- UPDATED! JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION (PUBLIC RELATIONS) - BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
PRIOR TO FALL 2012
- JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION (BROADCAST PRODUCTION) - BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
- JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION (ELECTRONIC MEDIA & JOURNALISM) - BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
- JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION (MEDIA MANAGEMENT) - BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
- JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION (PRINT JOURNALISM) - BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
- JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION (PUBLIC RELATIONS) - BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
Minors Offered
- JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION (MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM)
- JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION (MASS MEDIA PRODUCTION)
- JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION (PUBLIC RELATIONS)
Family of Specialists
In the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, students combine an education in the liberal arts and sciences with knowledge and professional expertise in the field of journalism and mass communication. Through this program, the department has produced hundreds of graduates who have excelled in the field. Their employers could be placed in groups according to how they distribute their messages. They include newspapers, magazines, radio stations, and television stations. They also include Web sites, digital media services, cable services, and satellite services. And, they include corporations, community organizations, government agencies, and public relations offices and agencies.
Some of these employers have been traditional (like newspapers and radio stations) and some have been “new’ (like Web sites). Some have been local (like television stations and community organizations) and others have been national (like television networks) or international (like the Cable News Network, CNN). After they have completed their studies in the department, the graduates have advanced their education. They have done so in journalism and mass communication, professional areas such as law, and other areas such as the study of social, cultural, ethnic, national, and global issues.
No matter how far away from the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication these graduates have lived, worked or studied, they have maintained their connections to the department. They especially have done so by giving instructional, professional, financial, and other help to it. Through these relationships, they have helped the department make the claim that it is cultivating a family of capable, connected and caring journalism and mass communication specialists.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is to provide students with the education necessary for lasting success as professionals and critical thinkers in journalism and mass communication and as citizens of their communities, the nation, and the world. The mission stresses the development of the following:
- The interdisciplinary knowledge of students in the liberal arts and sciences;
- Their professional expertise in journalism and mass communication;
- Their preparation for career advancement, graduate study, and lifelong learning;
- Their integration of diverse knowledge and skills in service to their communities;
- Their observance of the highest legal, ethical, and moral standards;
- Statement of Diversity
Department's Cultural Diversity and Inclusiveness Statement
It is vital that students in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication broaden their journalism/mass communications experiences, with guidance from the instructor, by including in their course work people and subjects regarding ethnic, gender, racial and religious minorities, persons with disabilities, and sexual orientation.
This includes, but is not limited to, developing sensitivity to language and images that may create an appearance of bias. The intent is to ensure that student work reflects the diversity of the community, nation and the world, and that students are exposed to diverse ideas and perspectives. In our courses, it is the responsibility of the instructor and students to foster an environment that supports free expression, while respecting the opinions of others.
The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication is committed to diversity in all aspects of its program, including providing a climate of inclusion, as well as addressing student and faculty hiring and retention, curriculum, research and scholarship and outreach and service.
Department Goals
The Department has developed a number of continuing goals that arise from its mission statement. They are:
- To develop in students the speaking and writing skills they apply in general communication and in professional journalism and mass communication
- To cultivate the practice of seeking interdisciplinary knowledge in students, and thus help them acquire and apply the analytical and critical skills needed for developing sound views on issues
- To develop the expertise of students in one professional specialty, and provide them the opportunity to converge multiple skill sets, in journalism and mass communication;
- To prepare students for contributions, employment, advancement, and leadership in local, national and international media markets
- To prepare students to transcend professional and other boundaries individually and collaboratively in addressing situations, responsibilities, and challenges
- To cultivate in students an understanding of the historical, cultural, legal, ethical and moral contexts in which they apply their knowledge and professional skills
Department Objective
The Department believes that by achieving its goals, it will achieve the this objective: Students in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication will be able to function effectively as capable and critical professionals in journalism and mass communication, and will possess the self-advancement, leadership and management skills they need to succeed in the ever-expanding global media market
Department Advisory Board
As the department strives to realize its mission, goals and objective, it considers the input of its advisory board. The members of this board, who have backgrounds in journalism and mass communication, especially help the department make sure its work reflects professional and social realities. They also help the department remain connected to its ethnic, cultural, regulatory, philanthropic, and other communities. The department expects to announce the members of the board soon.
