BA or BS in Media Studies

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Oregon

Program Overview

The University of Oregon’s Media Studies bachelor’s program helps students understand how media shapes culture, technology, politics and society while developing practical skills in research, critical analysis, digital media and storytelling. Students can choose a BA or BS and specialize through focused tracks such as Documentary Studies, Media Technologies and Structures, or Culture, Power and the Media, making the degree a flexible option for careers across media, entertainment, research and communication.

Curriculum Structure:

First Year:

Students begin with the School of Journalism and Communication’s shared foundation, developing an understanding of the media profession and fundamental storytelling skills through JCOM 101 Media Professions, JCOM 102 Story Craft Audio, and JCOM 103 Story Craft Visual. They also build media literacy, storytelling and writing abilities through JCOM 201 Making Sense of Media, JCOM 202 How Stories Work, and JCOM 203 Writing as Practice.

Second Year:

Students start moving into Media Studies-specific coursework with JCOM 221 Media Studies Production and JCOM 311 Introduction to Media Studies, while also exploring media theory through core courses such as JCOM 301 Gender, Media and Diversity and JCOM 303 Media Ethics. This stage connects practical media production with questions about culture, representation, ethics and the social impact of media.

Third Year:

The third year emphasizes deeper research and analysis, particularly through JCOM 312 Media Studies Research Methods, where students learn to evaluate studies and conduct research using approaches such as experiments, surveys, observation and interviews. Students also begin concentrating in their selected track through courses such as JCOM 418 Global Television, JCOM 424 Latin American Cinema, JCOM 480 Gamification and the Media, or JCOM 481 Making the Virtual a Reality.

Fourth Year:

In the final year, students bring their research, analytical and production skills together through JCOM 426 Media Studies Capstone, completing a culminating project in their area of interest. Advanced electives can include JCOM 413 Data/Media/Surveillance, JCOM 423 Law and Business for Media, JCOM 428M Latino Roots II, or JCOM 483 Game Journalism and Newsgames, allowing students to connect media theory with contemporary technologies, culture and industry issues.

Focus Areas:

Documentary studies and production, media technologies and society, media structures and regulation, culture power and the media, media research, digital media, emerging technologies, games and esports, global television, documentary filmmaking, media ethics, media law, cultural analysis

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop critical thinking, research and data-analysis skills; learn to evaluate media for accuracy, fairness and social impact; apply appropriate media technologies; analyze cultural, political and economic influences on media; conduct independent media research; and connect media theory with practical production and communication.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication is institutionally accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Importantly, the university states that ACEJMC accreditation applies to its undergraduate Advertising, Journalism and Public Relations majors—not Media Studies, so Media Studies should not be presented as an ACEJMC-accredited major.

Reputation (Employability & Recognition):

The SOJC reports strong overall career outcomes across its undergraduate programs: 98% of SOJC undergraduates have jobs or are in graduate school one year after graduation, while 79% participate in hands-on learning and 50% complete at least one internship. The Media Studies program also highlights alumni working in environments such as Disney, HBO, Netflix and design strategy, demonstrating the range of careers available to graduates.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Media Studies at Oregon goes beyond studying media from a theoretical perspective. Students conduct original research, create media projects, develop portfolios, work with faculty, participate in internships and explore emerging technologies through facilities designed for multimedia production and research. Students can also gain international experience through programs such as Media in Ghana and use professional equipment and production spaces to turn classroom ideas into practical projects:

• JCOM 221 Media Studies Production — Students connect critical and cultural theory with hands-on production, examining how media production influences culture and society.

• JCOM 312 Media Studies Research Methods — Students learn practical research approaches including experiments, surveys, observation and interviews, preparing them to conduct independent media research.

• Media Studies Capstone — JCOM 426 Media Studies Capstone brings together students’ research and analytical skills in a culminating project that demonstrates their competence in Media Studies.

• Experience Hub — Students experiment with emerging media technologies through an immersive media lab, professional video and photo production studio, podcast studio, social media analytics lab, editing bays and collaborative spaces.

• J-Cage Equipment Checkout — Students can access audio recorders, microphones, digital cameras, DSLR lenses, lighting kits, tripods and monopods for fieldwork and media projects.

• Media in Ghana — This six-week summer internship and study-abroad experience places students with local media outlets in Accra, where they have worked on radio scripts, advertising campaigns, hearings and community-focused projects.

• GlobalWorks Internships — Students can gain international experience by developing communication strategies in Sydney, creating digital content in Tokyo and managing social media campaigns in global markets.

• Faculty Research Opportunities — Students can work with faculty advisors on research and thesis projects, including opportunities through the SOJC Honors Program or Clark Honors College, and present their work at academic symposia.

• Real-World Media Projects — Student work has included projects examining meme culture and marketing, creating games for community building and producing podcasts featuring SOJC students, alumni, faculty and staff.

• Oregon Reality (OR) Lab — Students interested in emerging media can explore immersive technologies including 360-degree video, virtual reality, augmented reality and extended reality, alongside research into the social and ethical implications of these technologies.

• Writing Central — Students receive access to expert peer writing coaches who provide one-on-one support for papers, articles and other communication projects.

Facilities: University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication facilities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Media Studies degree from Oregon prepares graduates for careers that require strong research, analytical, creative and communication abilities. The university specifically highlights pathways ranging from media research and digital content to documentary production and strategic roles, while SOJC graduates also progress into advanced study in communication, media, law and related fields.

Typical job roles: Media Researcher, Digital Media Specialist, Content Strategist, Documentary Producer

Students can strengthen their transition into employment and further study through the SOJC’s dedicated career resources and professional opportunities:

• SOJC Undergraduate Student Success Center — Students receive academic and career-building support, including guidance from advisors who can help them plan their degree and career pathway.

• Handshake — Students can find full-time jobs, part-time positions, internships, work-study opportunities and seasonal employment, while also accessing résumé, cover-letter and field-specific career resources.

• SOJC Career Network — The school connects students with job and internship opportunities through its LinkedIn-based career network and employer relationships.

• Employment Outcomes — Across SOJC undergraduate programs, 98% of graduates have jobs or are in graduate school one year after graduation, providing a strong indicator of post-degree progression.

• Internship Outcomes — 50% of SOJC students hold at least one internship, while more than 8 in 10 students completing the competitive Charles Snowden journalism internships land media jobs after graduation.

• Industry Exposure — Students can gain professional experience through internships with media companies, advertising agencies, public relations firms, technology startups, nonprofits and international media organizations.

• Alumni Career Network — Media Studies alumni have moved into roles including television and film production at organizations such as Disney, HBO and Netflix, design strategy, international media research and digital marketing.

• Long-Term Academic Value — The degree develops transferable skills in critical thinking, research, media analysis, data analysis and digital research methods that can support careers across the expanding media and creative economy.

• Graduation & Professional Preparation — Students complete at least 70 JCOM credits, including 40 upper-division JCOM credits, and must maintain a minimum 2.70 SOJC GPA, ensuring substantial advanced-level study before graduation.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into the University of Oregon’s Communication and Media Studies MA/MS or PhD programs, or pursue advanced study in areas such as communication, media research, documentary production, law, cultural studies and related social sciences and humanities. The SOJC specifically identifies doctoral study and advanced training in communication and law as potential pathways for Media Studies graduates.