BA in Communication and Media Studies

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Franklin University Switzerland

Program Overview

The BA in Communication and Media Studies at Franklin University Switzerland gives you a perfect mix of theory and hands-on skills to understand, create, and shape media in today's fast-changing world—ideal if you're passionate about how communication drives connections, careers, and global conversations. It's designed for curious students who want to dive into media industries, research emerging tech like social media, and explore its impacts on people and societies, all while studying in the inspiring setting of Switzerland.

Curriculum Structure
First Year
You'll start with foundational courses that build your core skills in media analysis and communication basics, setting the stage for deeper exploration. Classes like introductory media studies introduce you to media forms, practices, and technologies, while organizational communication dives into channels, networks, and workplace cultures through real-world case studies. This year gets you comfortable researching and discussing media's role in everyday life.

Second and Third Years
Here, you'll ramp up with empirical and critical research, focusing on emerging and social media alongside media uses and effects at individual, cultural, and societal levels. Key courses such as COM 370 Topics in Communication and Media Studies let you tackle specialized themes, building research chops through projects and analysis. You'll also connect media to global processes, sharpening your ability to influence communication landscapes.

Senior Year
Your capstone shines in the COM 497 Senior Research Seminar in Communication and Media Studies, where you synthesize everything into a high-quality research paper that showcases your expertise. This year emphasizes advanced application of theories to real industries and global issues, preparing you to lead in media with confidence. It's your chance to produce work that stands out to future employers or grad schools.

Focus Areas
Media forms, practices, technologies, and industries; empirical and critical research in communication and media (especially emerging and social media); media uses and effects at individual, relational, cultural, and societal levels; the relationship between media, communication, and global processes.

Learning Outcomes
Graduates analyze media critically, conduct empirical research, create engaging content, and navigate global communication dynamics—equipped to influence industries with practical and theoretical savvy.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
Franklin's BA programs, including Communication and Media Studies, are accredited as a Bachelor of Arts degree requiring 120 credits of core, major, and elective courses, ensuring a rigorous, internationally recognized qualification.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)
Franklin grads excel in media, with faculty like Assistant Professor Alessandro Martinisi (PhD from University of Leeds) guiding you toward top paths—many pursue MAs at elite schools like Central European University or University of Luxembourg, landing roles in global communication.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Communication and Media Studies program at Franklin equips you with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to analyze, create, and engage with media in meaningful ways. Unlike traditional classroom-only programs, Franklin integrates real-world application into every aspect of your education, ensuring you graduate ready for professional environments.

At Franklin, experiential learning isn't just a buzzword—it's woven into the fabric of how you study. The program focuses on four key areas: media forms, practices, technologies and industries; empirical and critical media and communication research with emphasis on emerging and social media; media uses and effects; and the relationship between media/communication and global processes. Throughout your studies, you'll work directly with professors who bring current industry insights into the classroom, hosting experts who discuss emerging trends so you're always learning what's actually happening in the field today.

The university's commitment to hands-on learning means you won't just read about communication theory—you'll apply it immediately. Here's what makes the Communication and Media Studies experience distinctive:

- Academic Travel courses — Franklin's signature program where you take regular three-credit courses that include a 10-14 day travel component, allowing you to study media and communication within different cultural contexts across Europe and beyond
- COM 498 Internship in Communication and Media Studies — A capstone experience where you apply key theories and approaches in professional settings at private, public, or non-profit organizations anywhere in the world, with close in-company supervision throughout
- COM 497 Senior Research Seminar — A capstone research course where you synthesize theoretical and methodological knowledge into a high-quality research paper
- Organizational communication coursework — Learn how to apply communication theory through case studies and communication audits that analyze real organizational challenges
- Real-world case study analysis — Study how organizations navigate communication channels, networks, and interpersonal relationships through practical examples

Progression & Future Opportunities

At Franklin University Switzerland, our BA in Communication and Media Studies dives deep into practical skills that prepare you to thrive in today's media world, blending theory with hands-on projects where you'll work in teams to conceptualize and implement professional media strategies. You'll gain real-world experience through our signature Academic Travel program—10-14 day trips every semester tied directly to your courses, like exploring media industries or global communication in real destinations—and cap it off with a senior internship at organizations worldwide, complete with a professional report and presentation. This isn't just learning; it's building a portfolio that stands out to employers.

Here's how our experiential learning shines specifically for Communication and Media Studies majors::
- Team-based projects: Collaborate in courses like COM 330 Digital Innovation and Media Strategies, where you create and execute media projects for modern consumer culture, honing skills in digital communication and organizational strategies.
- Internships: COM 498 Internship in Communication and Media Studies offers a senior-year capstone at private, public, or non-profit sites globally, with close supervision, a detailed report, and formal presentation to peers and faculty.
- Academic Travel: Every semester, join 10-14 day experiential trips linked to classroom topics, such as studying media processes or global communication on-site in Europe and beyond—it's a core part of every FUS student's journey.
- Digital tools and emerging media focus: Dive into empirical research on social media, digital technologies, and media effects through hands-on analysis and creation, equipping you to navigate evolving industries.