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Mass Media: The UDC Edge

Communications students at UDC are deeply involved with the D.C. community through digital advocacy and public journalism projects, where they address urban problems across multiple platforms in collaboration with the community. These opportunities often lead to internships in local media, community, faith-based and governmental organizations.

Our program also places UDC students at the forefront of a swiftly changing field, embracing and understanding new areas of interest such as social media, user-generated content and the “remix culture” while adhering to editorial and technological best practices.

Home » Programs » Mass Media Program (BA)

Bachelor's Degree (BA) in Mass Media

We are all consumers of media. But everyday, we see stories in our neighborhoods begging to be told. If you want to be behind the scenes, creating meaningful media that makes an impact on society and gives your community a voice, the University of the District of Columbia has a place for you.

The bachelor's degree program in mass media at UDC combines a strong foundation in the liberal arts, current and marketable skills in writing and digital media, a heightened cultural awareness and a sound ethical framework.

You will have ample hands-on opportunities to hone your writing, reporting, editing and production skills while staying on top of the latest changes in communications, making you a desirable job prospect upon graduation.

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Curriculum and Requirements in the Mass Media Program

The bachelor's degree in mass media requires 120 credit hours. You may choose from two concentrations:

  • Journalism
  • Television Production

Our program is available to all students, including working, returning, non-traditional and traditional four-year college students.

Mass media courses include:

  • Introduction to Mass Media
  • Foundations of Oral Communications
  • Introduction to Public Relations
  • Advertising
  • Writing for Media

Television production courses include:

  • Photography
  • Directing
  • Lighting
  • Introductory and advanced studio TV production
  • Introductory and advanced remote TV production

Journalism courses include:

  • Reporting
  • News editing
  • Feature writing
  • Introduction to desktop publishing
  • Web design

Student Organizations and Activities in the UDC Mass Media Program

The newly re-formed Journalism Club regularly organizes events focused on journalism issues and trends in the field. Journalism students may contribute articles to the campus newspaper, The Free Voice.

Television production students have frequent opportunities to gain hands-on experience, including:

  • Internships and volunteer opportunities at UDC-TV Channel 98/19, UDC's own television studio
  • Producing programming for D.C. cable access television
  • Projects with UDC Cooperative Extension Services
  • Supporting university and public relations efforts
  • Fielding video requests from students groups and Greek organizations
  • Video-recording campus events (e.g. lectures, oral histories)

Faculty Spotlight: UDC Mass Media Program

Maxine A. LeGall, associate professor and interim department chair (she previously served as chair of the Department of Languages and Communication Disorders), is one of the founding instructors in the General Education program. She also collaboratively teaches Foundations of Oral Communication. LeGall's work has been published in "Richard Pryor: Diary of a 'Crazy' Blackman," "Jump Up and Say" and the Washington Post. As a professional storyteller, she has performed at museums, hospitals, libraries, schools and universities.

Career Pathways and Prospects

With the journalism concentration in mass media, you may pursue a career as a reporter, editor, copy editor, public relations or community relations specialist. Some go on to law school or careers in urban studies. UDC students have gone on to find work with the Washington Post, the Washington Afro-American, the Washington Informer and Prince George’s Suite Magazine.

With the television production concentration, you may find work in the television industry or even in government as a media specialist. UDC students have gone on to find TV or video production roles with CBS, ABC, The Tavis Smiley Show, C-SPAN, NPR, Discovery Channel, BET, NASA, the EPA, the Washington Mystics MNBA team, Voice Of America, Montgomery County Cable, D.C. cable television and local broadcast affiliates.

Both concentrations provide a good foundation for careers in advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, sales and government relations.

Contact info:

E: casgeneral@uc.edu | T: 202.274.5194 | F: 202.274.5589