Requirements
The specialization requires at least 9 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
- Media Persuasion and Behavior. Three (3) courses:
- MSCH-A 315 Advertising and Consumer Culture
- MSCH-H 451 Media Scholar Capstone (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-J 360 Journalism Topics (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-J 423 Public Opinion
- MSCH-J 460 Advanced Journalism Topics (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-R 429 Public Relations Campaigns
- MSCH-S 312 Politics and the Media
- MSCH-S 315 Media Processes and Effects
- MSCH-S 451 Topical Seminar in Media Psychology (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-S 471 Applying Theory to Media Design
- MSCH-V 334 Current Topics in Media (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
MSCH-A 315 Advertising and Consumer Culture
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Critical examination of advertising's role in modern societies. Focuses on marketing and consumption as central activities in shaping personal identity and social relations.
- Fall 2026CASE SHcourseSummer 2026CASE SHcourseSpring 2026CASE SHcourse
MSCH-H 451 Media Scholar Capstone
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- Senior standing; and must be an Ernie Pyle Scholar or Media Scholar
- Description
- Topical seminar in which students complete an honors capstone project focused on a topic they selected in consultation with their faculty mentor.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 9 credit hours in MSCH-H 451 and TEL-S 451.
MSCH-J 360 Journalism Topics
- Credits
- 1–4 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Focuses on emerging trends in journalism. Topics vary.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 enrollments and 18 credit hours in JOUR-J 360 and MSCH-J 360.
MSCH-J 423 Public Opinion
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- At least junior standing; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Behavioral study of nature, operation, molding, and influence of public opinion, with practice in its measurement and evaluation. Discussion of major political, social, economic, and cultural problems.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of JOUR-J 423 or MSCH-J 423.
MSCH-J 460 Advanced Journalism Topics
- Credits
- 1–4 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- At least junior standing; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Advanced seminar in journalism. Topics vary.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated for credit up to 4 times.
MSCH-R 429 Public Relations Campaigns
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-R 348 and MSCH-R 349
- Description
- Covers development and execution of a public relations campaign for a non-profit organization as well as public relations theory and in-depth care study analysis. Provides training and practice in developing and pitching a proposal to meet a client\'s business objectives. Includes media relations and crisis communications training.
MSCH-S 312 Politics and the Media
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Examines the relationship between media and modern politics. Topics will vary.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-S 312 or TEL-T 312.
- Fall 2026CASE SHcourseSummer 2026CASE SHcourseSpring 2026CASE SHcourse
MSCH-S 315 Media Processes and Effects
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 213; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Examination of the effects of the mass media on human cognitions, attitudes, and behaviors, relying on empirical social science research; emphasis on the effects on individuals, although study will include groups, organizations, and social norms.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-S 315 or TEL-T 314.
- Fall 2026CASE SHcourseSummer 2026CASE SHcourseSpring 2026CASE SHcourse
MSCH-S 451 Topical Seminar in Media Psychology
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Exploration of social problems and research issues related to media psychology. Topics vary.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
MSCH-S 471 Applying Theory to Media Design
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 101 or MSCH-H 101
- Description
- Basic media theories as well as cognitive, emotional, and social psychology, with a focus on how these theories can be applied to the design of media messages. Special attention given to interactive and immersive mediated environments.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-S 471 or TEL-T 471.
MSCH-V 334 Current Topics in Media
- Credits
- 1–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Analysis of selected problems in media studies. Topics vary each semester.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
- Specialization GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the specialization.
- A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the specialization—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
- Exceptions to specialization requirements may be made with the approval of the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.