Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies

The program connects media theory with practical work in media design, storytelling, digital art, online community engagement, documentary filmmaking and social media. Students can work across CMDI's interdisciplinary departments, develop projects with faculty and alumni, gain required professional experience through an internship, and access specialized media labs and creative facilities. The college also provides opportunities for students to build portfolios through hands-on projects, independent work and public-facing activities:

• MDST 4931: Internship — Media Studies students must complete a three-credit internship, giving them structured professional experience in a field of their choice.

• Media Practice Courses — Students complete hands-on Media Practice coursework that can come from Media Studies, Critical Media Practices, Journalism, Information Science, ATLAS and other CMDI areas, allowing them to develop practical skills alongside their analytical training.

• Digital Media Production and Design — MDST 4003 introduces online development and online media presentation, with students creating online media projects while considering usability, communication and the social implications of the internet.

• Media Archaeology Lab — Students and researchers can work with historically significant, still-functioning media technologies, including early computers, game consoles, phonographs and other media hardware, supporting experimental and cross-disciplinary research.

• Immersive Media Lab — The lab provides technology workstations equipped for creating and presenting virtual reality, augmented reality and 360-degree experiences and is available to CMDI students for research and learning.

• CMDI Equipment & Creative Spaces — Students have access to podcasting booths, broadcasting studios, immersive media facilities and equipment vaults containing cameras, audio equipment, lighting equipment and other production resources for coursework and independent projects.

• Faculty & Alumni Projects — Media Studies students can work alongside faculty and alumni on hands-on projects and outreach activities, including projects developed with local organizations and community advocates.

• CMDI in D.C. — Juniors and seniors in CMDI majors can participate in a Washington, D.C. experience that includes a personalized internship while developing professional skills in the nation's capital.

• Media Research & Creative Centers — Students are surrounded by research opportunities through CMDI centers and labs such as the Center for Media, Religion and Culture, Media Economies Design Lab, Visual Evidence Lab and other interdisciplinary initiatives.

Facilities and research resources: CU Boulder College of Communication, Media, Design and Information facilities and labs.

Graduates of the BA in Media Studies can move into careers across media production, communications, digital media, entertainment, research, cultural organizations and emerging media industries. CU Boulder specifically identifies opportunities such as community relations coordinator, corporate communications specialist, film and television critic, industry researcher, international media specialist, conference planner, media entrepreneur and media strategist, while graduates have gone on to work with organizations including Adobe Systems, iHeartMedia, NBCUniversal Media and Sony.

Typical job roles: Media Strategist, Media Researcher, Corporate Communications Specialist, Digital Media Specialist.

Students can strengthen their transition from university to employment through CU Boulder’s dedicated career resources:

• CMDI Career Services — Students receive professional development workshops, one-on-one resume reviews, mock interviews and career counseling, along with access to CMDI-specific career fairs.

• CMDI Employer Network — More than 130 organizations employ CMDI graduates, including National Geographic, Condé Nast, Microsoft, NPR, NBC, Adobe Systems, iHeartMedia, NBCUniversal Media and Sony.

• Career & Internship Database — Students receive 24/7 access to an online job and internship platform where employers post positions specifically for CMDI students; alumni retain access to these resources after graduation.

• Media Studies Salary Outcome — CU Boulder reports a $64,720 median salary for Media Studies graduates 1–5 years after graduation, providing a program-specific indicator of early-career earning potential.

• University-Wide Employment Outcome — CU Boulder reports that 91% of graduates were working or in graduate school six months after graduation, with a $55,000 median starting salary for CU Boulder bachelor's graduates.

• Industry-Facing Experience — The required MDST 4931 internship helps students graduate with professional experience rather than relying solely on classroom study.

• Long-Term Academic Value — CU Boulder’s institutional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission provides the university-level accreditation framework supporting the degree. Media Studies itself is positioned as an interdisciplinary academic and professional field rather than a separately professionally accredited program.

• Graduation & Career Preparation — The combination of a required internship, Media Practice coursework, concentration options, a secondary area of study and CMDI career support gives students multiple ways to graduate with both academic knowledge and practical experience.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can continue into CU Boulder’s Master of Arts in Media and Public Engagement, a two-year program combining media theory with practice-based training in areas such as documentary film, multimedia websites, social media campaigns and digital platforms. Students interested in advanced research can also pursue the PhD in Media Studies through CU Boulder’s Media Research and Practice doctoral program, while related graduate pathways in communication, journalism, information science and other CMDI disciplines can broaden their specialization.