Media

S. Smith, Chairperson

bsu.edu/media

Media comes from a word meaning "middle," and that appropriately describes the Department of Media.  We put our students "in the middle" of everything, offering premier programs and courses that prepare them for careers in fast growing, evolving and diverse media industries. Students can choose from these concentrations:

Production--Offers skills and applications courses using technology to create content for distribution across multiple platforms, including interactive and online media, plus television, radio, and film. Students learn audio, video, and multimedia production skills. The curriculum in Production prepares students for careers in developing and changing media arenas.

Sports Production---Offers students the opportunity to focus their skills producing and creating content that tell sports stories.  Students can choose one of two areas: SportsLink (additional application required), teaches the skills needed to work in all aspects of sports media.  Many graduates of this program work for college athletic departments, pro sports teams, and organizations as well as sports media outlets like ESPN and Fox Sports.   Esports Production teaches students to create content for the fast-growing world of esports, producing and delivering multi-player gaming competitions across multiple platforms.

Multimedia and Broadcast Storytelling (NEWS)--Offers courses in gathering, preparing and presenting news using multiple platforms to tell ethical, fair and relevant stories with words, images and sound. This program is offered jointly with the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication. Prepares students for careers in news and related industries.

Media Promotion and Management--Offers courses in the theory and practice of promoting and managing media campaigns and content. Prepares students for careers in, promotion, management, and revenue generation.

Film and Media Studies--Offers courses examining relationships between visual media and society, focusing on critical thinking and multiple academic approaches. Designed for students interested in graduate studies in film, media, and related fields.

The Department of Media emphasizes experiential and immersive learning through facilities managed by students and professional staff. The department also has a history of providing practical learning opportunities through internships at numerous media outlets, including broadcast operations, film studios, ad agencies, and production facilities. Accolades include Student Academy Awards(r), more than 50 regional Emmy(r) winners, and more than 30 NATAS Student Production Awards, plus honors from the Society of Professional Journalists, Indiana Association of School Broadcasters, and the Sports Video Group.   

To graduate as a Media major or minor, students must earn a grade of C (2.0) or above in all courses required by the department (including major or minor courses required outside Media). 

Majors cannot choose more than one concentration in the department but are eligible to select the Film/Screenwriting minor or the Minor in Sports Studies (see below). All concentrations except Media Promotion and Management also may choose to minor in Media Promotion and Management. Media courses generally are open only to declared departmental majors and minors.

Media majors have the option of earning a B.S. or B.A. degree.  The B.A. degree requires credit in four semesters or the equivalent of one modern or classical language, or American Sign Language (ASL); students may earn credit for previous language study through placement tests administered by the Department of Modern Languages and Classics.  

Minor in film/screenwriting--An 18-credit minor offered jointly by the Department of Media and the Department of English that includes 9 credits from each unit. The minor is open to all students except Media majors in Film and Media Studies; only ENG 285 may count in both the minor and any Media or English major. 

Minor in Sports Studies-- An 18-credit minor offered jointly by the Department of Media and the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication. The minor is open to declared majors in either department, and to other majors with permission of the chairperson of the Department of Media. 

Minor in Media Promotion and Management---A 20-credit minor open to all students except Media majors with a concentration in Media Promotion and Management.  

Department of Media Transfer Policy
No more than 6 transfer credits are accepted in any Media major or minor, and transfer credits are limited to 100- and 200-level courses. All Media courses at the 300- and 400-levels must be completed at Ball State University. Policies pertaining to departmental credit older than seven years is available from the department chair.