Media, B.S.
The bachelor of science in media provides students with the technical and theoretical study of media theory, media practice, and media production via an interdisciplinary program that includes required coursework in the School of Business, Department of Public Health and Wellness, Department of Performing and Fine Arts, and Ethnic Studies program. The degree offers three optional Areas of Study that invite students to focus and apply their academic work even further: (1) Media and Technology, (2) Health Communication, and (3) Journalism and Storytelling (e.g., Strategic Communication).
Media majors explore how human communication is being shaped by AI and other forms of mediated technology. Further topics of exploration include: video games, social media platform design, sound design and podcast creation, news-making, government decision-making, public relations, advertising, storytelling, and other newly developed technologies that alter and change our human communication. Technical skill and production of media will be central to the degree.
UP’s award-winning Beacon student newspaper and KDUP radio station allows UP students majoring in media to find campus opportunities for editing, writing, and developing skills in media-making. A culminating internship opportunity helps students get hands-on practice and application. Job opportunities include public relations, advertising, media production, journalist, social media analysis, social media manager, documentary filmmaking, sports media, digital storytelling, sound design and production.
UP Core Requirements — 40 credit hours
All University of Portland students progress through a set of shared course options as part of the University’s liberal arts Core Curriculum. This curriculum offers a foundation of multiple lenses to address enduring questions of human concern, integrating the liberal arts, the University mission, and the knowledge, skills, and values needed in a diverse society and in the workplace.
See UP Core Requirements
COM 300, COM 320, or COM 330 and COM 497 are the designated Writing in the Discipline courses for the B.S. in Media.
College of Arts and Sciences B.S. Requirements — 6 credit hours
See College Requirements, B.S.
Major Requirements — 54 credit hours
Required Courses - 15 credit hours
| COM 101 | Introduction to Communication and Media | 3 |
| COM 107 | Public Speaking for Change | 3 |
COM 2XX
| One Course in Creative and Technical Media | 3 |
| COM 301 | Media and Society | 3 |
| COM 302 | Communicating Science | 3 |
Research Methods Courses - 6 credit hours
Upper-division Media Studies and Support Courses - 21 credit hours
Media Theory and Philosophy - 9 credit hours
Select three of the following courses:
Journalism and Strategic Communication - 12 credit hours
Select four of the following courses:
| COM 352 | Media Writing and Reporting | 3 |
| COM 361 | Advertising for Creatives | 3 |
| COM 362 | Public Relations and Strategic Communication | 3 |
| COM 452 | Investigative Journalism and Democracy | 3 |
| COM 453 | Multimedia Storytelling | 3 |
Upper-division Courses from Other Disciplines - 9 credit hours
Select three of the following courses (at least one course in each focus area):
Focus Area 1: Design Tools and Thinking
Focus Area 2: Media Across Disciplines
Internship - 3 credit hours
| COM 497 | Communication Internship Practicum | 3 |
Any additional credit hours required to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours
Total Credit Hours: 120