2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Major in Media Design and Development (BA/BS)

Students will be guided by the outline of baccalaureate degrees, the University Core Curriculum and the concentration areas listed below. Students majoring in the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication are encouraged to meet with an advisor in the school within the first semester of the program. Prior to graduation, students must complete an exit exam. Instructions on exam completion will be sent to students during the final semester of enrollment.

Students are encouraged to select a second major or minor. Please check with an advisor in the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication before selecting a complementary major, minor, or concentration. Some majors, minors, and concentrations in the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication may not be open to students majoring in media design and development.

60 credits

Required SJSC Core, 27 credits

The School of Journalism and Strategic Communication (SJSC) offers majors in Journalism, Media Design and Development, and Strategic Communication. Requirements include (1) the SJSC core (27 credit hours) and (2) major/concentration area (18-33 credit hours). Multiple SJSC majors/concentrations particularly in Journalism or Strategic Communication may be earned by completing the additional requirements, typically 15 credit hours per added major/concentration.

All students are required to complete a minimum of three credits in JOUR 369 (internship).

ADPR 202Strategic Communication Theory and Inquiry

3

CCIM 200The CCIM Experience

1

CCIM 300CCIM Career Development

1

CCIM 400Career Success and Advancement

1

EMDD 216Design Thinking

3

JOUR 101Media and Society

3

JOUR 302People and Cultures in Media

3

JOUR 369Internship

0 TO 12

JOUR 419Career Readiness and Freelance

3

NEWS 449Legal and Ethical Issues

3

3 credits from:

ADPR 250Introduction to Advertising

3

ADPR 261Principles of Public Relations

3

Required Courses in the MDD Major, 33 credits

EMDD 102Design Tools I

1

EMDD 104Design Tools II

1

EMDD 106Design Tools III

1

EMDD 103Introduction to Media Design

3

EMDD 211Interactivity Design

3

EMDD 212Introduction to Photographic Storytelling

3

EMDD 215Usability and User Experience Design

3

EMDD 234Media Design I

3

EMDD 241Media Design II

3

EMDD 345Data Analysis and Visualization

3

EMDD 350Cross-Platform Design

3

6 credits from:

EMDD 201Web Design

3

EMDD 210Introduction to Social Media

3

EMDD 213Digital Video Design

3

EMDD 214Digital Sound Design

3

EMDD 323Digital Branding and Creator Economy

3

EMDD 341Media Design III

3

EMDD 375Digital Storytelling

3

EMDD 380Special Projects in Media Design & Development

3-9

EMDD 385Ethical Design

3

MDIA 350Motion Graphics for Media

3

NEWS 105Journalistic Storytelling: Introduction

3

NEWS 215News Editing

3

Total Credit Hours: 60