Journalism and Mass Communication (ADV, MCOM)

Mary Arnold, Head
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
Yeager Hall 211
605-688-4171
e-mail: mary.arnold@sdstate.edu
http://www.sdstate.edu/mcom/

Faculty

Professor Arnold, Head; Professors Giago, Lucchesi, Olson; Professors Emeriti Lee, Getz; Associate Professors M. Cecil , Oguntoyinbo, Paulson; Associate Professors Emerita Laird, Perpich; Assistant Professors Tiernan, Koroglu; Lecturer Klock; Instructor Jensen; Instructor Emeritus C. Cecil

Programs

South Dakota State University’s Department of Journalism and Mass Communication’s mission is educating the next generation of media professionals – including journalists, strategic communicators, teachers and researchers. To fulfill our land-grant university mission, the department works closely with journalism and advertising professionals and the scholastic and the Native American community.

The Department offers major programs Advertising, Journalism, and supports the Communication specialization for the major in Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership from the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences. The departmet also offers minors in journalism and advertising and cooperates with the Department of Economics in offering the marketing minor.

Journalism and Mass Communication students must have a “C” or better in Freshman Composition; must have a graduation average of 2.5 in journalism and mass communication courses; and must have grades of “C” or better in all major courses. Students in both the Journalism and Advertising major are required to purchase a Macintosh laptop and software appropriate for the discipline.

The Department is accredited by the national accrediting body of journalism and mass communication, the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC). It is one of 113 schools so accredited. The Department has been accredited continuously since accrediting began in 1948. Journalism and Advertising majors take a minimum of 80 credit hours outside of journalism and mass communication with a minimum of 65 credit hours in the liberal arts and sciences.

Advertising Major

The four-year advertising program awards either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree. Advertising majors are required to take a minimum of 36 credits of MCOM or ADV courses as a part of the 120-credit requirement for graduation. Students are encouraged to select one of the following emphases within Advertising: Creative Strategy, Interactive Media, or Public Relations.

Interactive Media Emphasis. Students seeking employment in the areas of print and broadcast, online and social media planning; interactive marketing; research; and media sales take this emphasis.
Creative Strategy Emphasis. Students who want to work in the account management and creative areas of advertising, including copywriting, take this emphasis. It is recommended that students seeking a career in advertising art direction take this emphasis and pursue a double major in Graphic Design or a minor in Art through the Department of Visual Arts.
Public Relations Emphasis. Students who want to work in public relations and corporate marketing positions requiring an understanding of integrated marketing communications take this emphasis.

Advertising Minor . Available for students majoring in other fields. Students take four required advertising courses for 12 credits plus 6 electives for a total of 18 credits.

Journalism Major

The four-year journalism program awards either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree. Journalism majors are required to take a minimum of 36 credits of MCOM courses as a part of the 120-credit requirement for graduation.Students are encouraged to select one of the following emphases within Journalism: Broadcast Journalism or News-editorial Journalism. The Journalism major is offered both at the main campus in Brookings and at the University Center in Sioux Falls.

News-Editorial Journalism Emphasis. Students who want to be reporters, editors or page designers for print and online media, photojournalists and those seeking employment in corporate or government communications take this emphasis.
Broadcast Journalism Emphasis. Students who want to pursue careers in digital video storytelling for radio, television or online media and corporate environments take this emphasis.

Journalism Minor . Available for students majoring in other fields. Courses required are Basic Newswriting, and other journalism and mass communication courses to total 16 credits.

Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership (AGCL) Major - Communication specialization

The department cooperates with the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences to offer a four-year Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree for the major in Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership. Students interested in agriculture and developing a flexible program of study including print and multimedia communications in leadership and policy in agriculture should take this major.

Graduate Work in Journalism. An M.S. degree is offered on campus and online. See the Graduate School Catalog for details.

Facilities

The former Printing and Rural Journalism Building was renamed Yeager Hall in recognition of the contributions of Anson and Ada May Yeager. Mr. Yeager was longtime editor of the Argus Leader in Sioux Falls. The Department moved into expanded and renovated facilities in 2000 that cost $2.4 million. The Yeager Media Center, completed in 2012, is a high-definition television and new media facility and the primary center for SDSU campus television and media production. There are also four computer laboratories with equipment and software for newswriting; for news editing and digital media; for broadcasting and advertising; and for photojournalism and media production. Broadcast and advertising courses are in the Joe L. Floyd News Media Laboratory. It is connected to digital video and audio production suites. Second floor of Yeager Hall includes a conference room, a reading room, a student lounge, and individual offices for the Department’s faculty members.