Communication and Media (BS)

Catalog Year 2025-2026

Communication and Media prepares students to be engaged, knowledgeable, and ethical global citizens, advocates, and storytellers. Students will learn to think critically about social relations, embrace media technologies, and create diverse stories. The study of communication and media fosters the public good by encouraging socially responsible practices through education, research, and service to community.

Online delivery is a degree-completion program for students who hold an associate's degree or have completed the MN Transfer Curriculum. 

Program Requirements

Major Common Core

Introduces students to the study of communication and media including research and career paths.

Prerequisites:
none

Students engage in an applied research or creative group project in a faculty member's area of interest. The project is led by the faculty member. The course may be repeated in different projects.

Prerequisites:
none

Focused on guiding students through the final steps in their major including career preparation, networking, interviewing, and the job or graduate school application process.

Prerequisites:
none

Major Restricted Electives

* Consult with your advisor on courses to meet your personal and professional goals.

Choose 8 Credit(s).

Prerequisites:
none

Choose 20 Credit(s).

Prerequisites:
none

* Students may repeat COMM 400 in different topics.

Minor

Required Minor: Yes. Any.

4-Year Plan

The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual 4-Year plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.

First Year

Fall - 15 Credits

General Education Course * 3 credits
General Education Course * 3 credits
General Education Course * 3 credits
General Education Course * 3 credits
General Education Course * 3 credits

Spring - 15 Credits

General Education Course * 3 credits
General Education Course * 3 credits
General Education Course * 3 credits
General Education Course * 3 credits
General Education Course * 3 credits

Second Year

Fall - 14 Credits

General Education Course * 3 credits
General Education Course * 3 credits
General Education Course * 3 credits
General Education Course * 4 credits
General Education Course * 1 credits

Spring - 14 Credits

Introduces students to the study of communication and media including research and career paths.

Prerequisites:
none
Elective Course in Major * 4 credits
Elective Course in Major * 4 credits
Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

Third Year

Fall - 16 Credits

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits
Elective Course in Major * 4 credits
Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits
Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits

Spring - 16 Credits

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits
Elective Course in Major * 4 credits
Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits
Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits

Fourth Year

Fall - 15 Credits

Students engage in an applied research or creative group project in a faculty member's area of interest. The project is led by the faculty member. The course may be repeated in different projects.

Prerequisites:
none
Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits
General Elective Course * 4 credits
General Elective Course * 3 credits

Spring - 15 Credits

Focused on guiding students through the final steps in their major including career preparation, networking, interviewing, and the job or graduate school application process.

Prerequisites:
none
General Elective Course * 3 credits
General Elective Course * 3 credits
General Elective Course * 3 credits
General Elective Course * 4 credits

Transfer Pathways

A Transfer Pathway is a partnership between the Minnesota community colleges and Minnesota State University, Mankato. The Pathway suggests a plan for students with a specific associate degree to complete the last two years for a designated bachelor’s degree.

Students who are transferring to Minnesota State Mankato from a Minnesota community college should meet with an advisor in your college advising office to ensure the Pathway is an appropriate option for completing your degree.

More information on Transfer Pathways is available at https://www.mnsu.edu/transfer-pathways/

Third Year

Fall - 16 Credits

Introduces students to the study of communication and media including research and career paths.

Prerequisites:
none
Elective Course in Major * 4 credits
Elective Course in Major * 3 credits
Elective Course in Major * 4 credits
Elective Course in Minor * 3 credits

Spring - 15 Credits

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits
Elective Course in Major * 4 credits
Elective Course in Major * 4 credits
Elective Course in Minor * 3 credits

Fourth Year

Fall - 14 Credits

Students engage in an applied research or creative group project in a faculty member's area of interest. The project is led by the faculty member. The course may be repeated in different projects.

Prerequisites:
none
Elective Course in Major * 4 credits
Elective Course in Minor * 3 credits
Elective Course in Minor * 3 credits

Spring - 15 Credits

Focused on guiding students through the final steps in their major including career preparation, networking, interviewing, and the job or graduate school application process.

Prerequisites:
none
Elective Course in Major * 4 credits
Elective Course in Minor * 3 credits
Elective Course in Minor * 3 credits
General Elective Course * 3 credits

Policies

Double-Counting Credits: Students may not double-count courses between majors or minors in the department of Communication and Media.

COMM 110 and COMM 221W may be taken concurrently with department permission.

COMM 498 and COMM 499 Limits: Students may apply no more than 8 credits of COMM 498 and 4 credits of COMM 499 to fulfillment of a major. Additional credits may be applied for graduation requirements.

Internship Requirements (COMM 497, COMM 498): In compliance with federal policy, standard expectations are 45 hours of on-site internship experience for each credit hour earned.

P/N Grading: Total credits in the department must not exceed 25 percent P/N for a major.  

Degree
Bachelor of Science

Major Credits
36

Total Credits
120

Locations
Mankato; Online

Career Cluster
Arts, Audio