Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree with a Major in Media Studies

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Rice University

Program Overview

Rice University’s BA in Media Studies is an interdisciplinary program designed for students interested in understanding, analyzing, and creating media across film, television, digital platforms, video art, and the internet. Students combine media history and theory with creative production and applied research, making the program a strong choice for careers in film, publishing, communications, journalism, public relations, and digital media.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build their foundation through courses such as MDIA 201 – History of Cinema and Media I: Invention to 1945, MDIA 202 – History of Cinema and Media Part II: 1945-Present, and MDIA 203 – Introduction to Film Studies, developing an understanding of cinema, media history, and fundamental film-analysis techniques.

Year 2: Students strengthen their theoretical understanding through MDIA 204 – Introduction to Media Studies, while exploring subjects such as MDIA 251 – TV to TikTok: Everyday Media and MDIA 287 – Introduction to Experimental Video and Installation Art. This stage connects critical media analysis with contemporary digital culture and creative production.

Year 3: Students move into advanced study across Film History and Aesthetics, Media and Cultural Theory, and Media Production and Applied Research. Courses such as MDIA 301 – Women’s Filmmaking Since the 1970s, MDIA 341 – American Political Media, and MDIA 401 – Critical Media Lab allow students to investigate specialized topics while developing research and production skills.

Year 4: Students bring their learning together through MDIA 410 – Media Studies Senior Workshop, the program’s capstone. Depending on their interests, students can complete a critical research project, create work such as a podcast or documentary, or undertake an internship/placement with a local community organization.

Focus Areas

Film History and Aesthetics, Media and Cultural Theory, Media Production and Applied Research, Film and Television, Digital Media, Documentary Production, Podcasting, Video Storytelling, Journalism, Media and Politics, Creative Communication.

Learning Outcomes

Media history and production, film and media analysis, critical and theoretical thinking, ethical and political evaluation of media, audiovisual production, written and oral communication, digital storytelling, research skills, understanding of race/gender/class/environment in media.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

No separate professional accreditation is identified for the BA in Media Studies on Rice University’s official program information. The program instead emphasizes academic, analytical, creative, and applied media skills, including audiovisual production and research.

Reputation & Employability

Rice University’s undergraduate career outcomes show a 95%+ knowledge rate across the Classes of 2023–2025, with 53% working and 33% continuing their education after graduation. Media is also listed among the top industries employing Rice bachelor-level graduates, supporting the degree’s broad career value.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Rice’s Media Studies program places strong emphasis on learning by doing, combining classroom analysis with creative production, research, journalism, and community-based experiences. Students can work through the Critical Media Lab, participate in Rice Student Media, produce podcasts and other audiovisual work, and complete internships or applied projects through the senior capstone.

• MDIA 401 – Critical Media Lab: Work in research teams to investigate media problems and produce scholarship in formats such as articles, podcasts, or video.

• MDIA 381 – Houston Newsroom Practicum: Gain hands-on experience reporting, editing, and producing professional-quality audio and web stories for public audiences.

• MDIA 410 – Media Studies Senior Workshop: Complete a substantial critical research project, creative production such as a podcast or documentary, or an internship/community placement.

• Rice University Student Media: Work with The Rice Thresher, KTRU Rice Radio, and The Campanile to develop practical skills in journalism, broadcasting, design, photography, video, and publishing.

• Podcast Studio: Students can use Rice Student Media’s podcast facilities to gain practical experience in audio production and storytelling.

• Center for Civic Leadership: Media Studies students can connect with media-related community organizations through paid internships, capstone experiences, and other engaged opportunities.

• Video & Production Courses: Courses such as FILM 327 – Documentary Production, FILM 328 – Filmmaking I, and MDIA 374 – Video Activism provide opportunities to develop practical audiovisual production skills.

• Career Development: Rice’s Center for Career Development provides internship and job postings through 12twenty, resume resources, career advising, employer connections, and interview preparation.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates can take the BA in Media Studies into creative, communication, journalism, publishing, film, public relations, and digital-media careers. The program’s combination of critical analysis, audiovisual production, research, and practical media experience helps students build adaptable skills for a rapidly changing media industry.

Typical job roles: Media Producer, Digital Content Producer, Film/Video Producer, Communications Specialist.

Students can strengthen their career prospects through Rice’s career ecosystem and industry-facing opportunities:

• Center for Career Development: Provides one-to-one career coaching, resume and interview support, internship/job searches, employer connections, and career resources for all Rice students, including Humanities and Arts majors.

• Internships & Professional Experience: Students can use 12twenty to access job and internship postings, while Rice also supports externships, campus employment, research, and internship opportunities.

• Media Industry Exposure: The program develops relationships with news organizations, community organizations, media firms, and educational institutions through its applied projects and capstone experiences.

• Employment Outcomes: Across Rice’s Classes of 2023–2025, 53% of bachelor-level graduates were working and 33% were continuing their education, with Media included among the university’s top graduate employment industries.

• Salary Information: Rice’s current public undergraduate outcomes page does not report an average or median starting salary figure, so no program-specific salary figure is presented here.

• Long-Term Career Value: The program develops communication, critical thinking, creative production, research, and visual/digital storytelling skills that Rice identifies as transferable competencies valued across professional fields.

Further Academic Progression: Rice’s Media Studies program does not currently offer a graduate degree, so graduates can pursue master’s or doctoral study at other universities in areas such as Media Studies, Film Studies, Communication, Journalism, Cultural Studies, Digital Media, Film Production, or related humanities and social-science fields.