The Career
Mass media communication professionals are message makers. This often involves using new technologies to communicate the right message to the right audience at the right time.
Once they complete their bachelor’s degree, these professionals can pursue a number of career paths in business, academia, organizations and government. More specifically, they work in advertising, public relations, broadcasting, filmmaking and media production.
Professional Traits
Those pursuing a career in this field should:
- Be ethically and socially responsible.
- Communicate effectively in both verbal and written mediums.
- Think critically and creatively to solve problems.
- Demonstrate proficiency in applying media theory to media products.
- Understand the history of the media and how it impacts local, national and international affairs.
- Discuss, debate and analyze media’s role in society and how it currently affects that society.
- Be able to collaborate with peers to accomplish goals.
Employment Outlook
Each of the major career paths in mass media communications is experiencing job growth, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. By 2020, positions in these fields are expected to increase:
| Public Relations |
21% |
| Advertising |
13-14% |
| Media Production |
4-14% |
| Broadcasting |
10% |
The Program
This degree plan is designed for ECC students who want to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in a media-related field. Assuming appropriate placement scores, mass media communication is a two-year degree, with flexibility to customize the program toward the student’s chosen career. This academic plan consists of the 43-credit hour general education core required of all transfer degrees with an emphasis on the humanities, plus electives in media theory, literacy and production.
The program is divided into two tracks: public relations (PR) and media production. Students on the PR track focus on media studies courses as well as business, marketing and speaking skills. Those interested in broadcasting, film and radio typically take the media production track consisting of media studies and production curriculum specific to their field of interest.
In addition, East Central provides various student activities, organizations and practicum experiences related to the discipline such as the Cornerstone student newspaper and ECC Student Media Club. They are also encouraged to take part in the ECC Fine and Performing Arts programs and the ECC Film and Lecture Series.
Admission Requirements
Students must have completed:
- High school diploma or the equivalent (documentation must be sent to the registration office)
- Application for admission
- A placement test as specified by the college (please note: some coursework requires minimum placement results)
Transfer Options
Many of the credits, particularly the general education electives earned with this degree, are accepted as transfer credits by four-year colleges and universities. These decisions are made solely by the bachelor degree-granting institution, not ECC.
Students seeking to transfer should communicate often with their faculty advisors and the East Central College transfer advisor. They should also make early contact with the four-year institution of their choice regarding the transferability of ECC credits and coursework.
Accreditation
East Central College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
30 N. LaSalle St., Suite 2400
Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504
800-621-7440
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