Media and Mass Communication, BA

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Purdue University West Lafayette

Program Overview

Purdue University’s Communication: Media and Mass Communication, BA prepares students to create, produce and share information across journalism, digital media, broadcasting, social media and other evolving communication platforms. It is a strong fit for students interested in media careers who want to combine communication theory with practical experience in writing, video production, digital storytelling, emerging technologies and mass media.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students begin as pre-communication students, developing the communication foundation needed for progression into the major. Core courses such as COM 102 – Introduction to Communication Theory, COM 204 – Critical Perspectives on Communication, and COM 318 – Principles of Persuasion build skills in communication theory, critical analysis and persuasive messaging.

Year 2:

After completing the prerequisite coursework and meeting the required GPA for admission to the Communication major, students begin developing their Media and Mass Communication specialization. Courses such as Writing for Mass Media, Mass Communication and Society, and Digital Video Production introduce professional media writing, the role of mass media in society and hands-on digital content production.

Year 3:

Students can deepen their technical and creative abilities through areas such as Television Production, Communication and Emerging Technologies, and Social Media for Social Good. This stage allows students to explore how digital technologies are changing the way information is produced, distributed and consumed while developing content for contemporary audiences.

Year 4:

Advanced study can bring together journalism, broadcasting, digital storytelling, sports media, media management and other areas of interest. Courses such as Multiplatform Journalism, Content Creation for Social Media, and Video Games and Society can help students build a portfolio that demonstrates their ability to communicate effectively across multiple media environments.

Focus Areas:

Digital media production, broadcast news and entertainment media, professional and journalistic writing, social media content, documentaries and digital storytelling, sports media relations and broadcasting, media management, copy editing, mass media and society, emerging communication technologies, video games and society.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop written, verbal, creative and technical communication skills; produce digital and multimedia content; apply communication theory to real-world media situations; understand how media technologies influence audiences and society; develop journalistic and professional writing abilities; and create communication work for diverse platforms and audiences.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Communication: Media and Mass Communication BA is housed within Purdue’s Brian Lamb School of Communication in the College of Liberal Arts. Purdue’s official program pages do not identify a separate professional accreditation for this specific BA concentration, so no program-specific accreditation should be claimed.

Reputation (Employability & University Recognition):

Purdue reports that 73.4% of Liberal Arts students completed an internship through the Purdue Center for Career Opportunities in 2024, while Purdue was recognized among the Top 10 public universities that employers love by Forbes in 2025. Purdue also highlights communication alumni working in roles including senior producer at FOX Weather, vice president at ESPN, PR manager at The Walt Disney Company and television host at KSDK.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The program places a strong emphasis on learning by doing, with students creating journalism, video, social media and broadcast content for real audiences. The Brian Lamb School of Communication’s Digital Media Production Center provides professional-grade cameras, microphones, lighting, podcasting facilities, television production equipment and video-editing suites using current Adobe software, while students can also gain professional experience through internships, student media and specialized programs.

• Digital Media Production Center: Students work with professional cameras, microphones, lighting equipment and other production technology to develop media projects.

• Video Editing Suites: Students use semi-private editing suites equipped with the latest Adobe software, speakers and dual monitors for video production.

• Podcasting Room: The dedicated podcasting studio allows students to record narration, conduct interviews and produce podcast content.

• Television Studio: Students gain hands-on experience producing live television, including programming such as Fast Track News and Watching Washington for the Purdue Channel.

• Fast Track News: Students can participate in a weekly news program covering West Lafayette and Purdue, developing reporting, production and broadcasting skills.

• Multiplatform Journalism: COM 361 provides an opportunity to work across multiple media formats while developing journalism and digital storytelling skills.

• Content Creation for Social Media: Students can develop contemporary social-media production skills through dedicated coursework and practical media projects.

• Student Media Projects: Purdue students in the concentration have produced articles, live social-media coverage, nonprofit social campaigns, live broadcasts and a weekly video newsmagazine that aired on campus and local cable television.

• COM 490 Internship in Communication: Communication majors can earn academic credit for approved internships, with options ranging from 1 to 3 credits depending on internship hours.

• Center for C-SPAN Scholarship & Engagement: Students can pursue paid internship opportunities in digital media production, editorial and research, and marketing and publicity while gaining experience with the C-SPAN Video Library and professional media projects.

• Boilers Go to D.C. Summer Scholars: Students from across Purdue can complete a 10-week internship in Washington, D.C., supported by career-readiness training, site visits, guest speakers, networking and alumni mentorship.

• Purdue Presentation Center: Students have access to support for preparing and delivering presentations, strengthening their professional communication and presentation abilities.

Facilities and experiential-learning information: Purdue’s Digital Media Production Center and Brian Lamb School of Communication facilities provide the main program-specific resources.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates can move into careers across journalism, broadcasting, digital content, podcasting, social media, media production and user experience. Purdue specifically identifies Online or Television Journalist, Creative Content Developer, Radio or Podcast Producer, and User Experience Researcher as sample career paths for the Media and Mass Communication concentration.

Typical job roles include Digital Content Producer, Multimedia Journalist, Broadcast Producer, Social Media Specialist. Purdue communication graduates have also progressed into roles such as senior producer, television host, PR manager and media leadership positions.

• College of Liberal Arts Career Initiatives: Students receive career coaching, advising, internship guidance, networking support, portfolio development, mock interviews and assistance with employment or graduate-school planning.

• Communication Four-Year Career Development Plan: Purdue guides students from early resume and LinkedIn development through internships, professional portfolios, networking, mock interviews, career fairs and full-time job applications.

• Internship Opportunities: The Brian Lamb School maintains a formal internship program, allowing eligible communication students to earn credit for approved professional experiences.

• Industry-Facing Experience: The Center for C-SPAN Scholarship & Engagement connects students with digital media, editorial, research and marketing opportunities and professional alumni mentors.

• Employment & Career Exposure: Purdue’s communication alumni include professionals at organizations such as ESPN, FOX Weather and The Walt Disney Company, demonstrating the breadth of career pathways available to communication graduates.

• Internship Participation: Purdue reports that 73.4% of Liberal Arts students completed an internship in 2024, providing a strong university-level indicator of practical career preparation.

• Salary Information: Purdue’s official program pages do not publish a specific median salary figure for graduates of the Media and Mass Communication BA, so a salary figure should not be presented as a Purdue-specific statistic.

• Accreditation Value: Purdue does not identify a separate professional accreditation for this specific Communication BA concentration; therefore, its long-term value is better positioned around Purdue’s university reputation, the Brian Lamb School’s established communication program, experiential learning and portfolio development rather than an accreditation claim.

• Graduation Preparation: By the final year, Purdue’s career-development framework encourages students to build professional portfolios, attend career fairs, network with employers and apply for full-time positions or graduate programs.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BA, students can continue into graduate-level study in communication or related fields. Purdue’s Brian Lamb School of Communication offers on-campus master’s and PhD pathways with areas including Media, Technology and Society, Public Relations, Political Communication, Organizational Communication, Interpersonal Communication, and Health and Risk Communication, as well as a fully online MS in Communication for students seeking an advanced professional qualification.