The Department of Communication and Journalism offers three different BA degrees. These degrees are in: Communication, Mass Communication and Journalism. The department also offers minors in Communication and in Public Relations.
The B.A. in Mass Communication prepares students for careers in the electronic media in Maine and nationwide. Firmly grounded in the liberal arts, it provides students with a background in history, legal, regulatory, ethical and management issues necessary for a career in mass communication or for graduate study. The major also prepares students for graduate study in related communication fields, law, the humanities and social sciences. Faculty are established scholars who draw on extensive professional experience and ongoing contracts with media organizations and associations around the state and beyond.
Majors in Mass Communication must complete a minimum of thirty six (36) credits of specific CMJ courses and additional coursework external to the major.
The external coursework must include at least 9 credits in the areas of Writing and Language and at least 18 credits of coursework concentrated in an area outside of the CMJ Department.
The 9 credits of coursework in the areas of Writing and Language must include at least 3 credits in each of the two areas (6 credits from one area; 3 credits from the other). The Writing area includes the following courses: ENG 205, ENG 206, ENG 212, ENG 301, ENG 317, ENG 417, and ENG 418. CMJ 236 and CMJ 237 can also be used to meet part of this requirement when not used to meet a CMJ major or sequence requirement. The Language area includes: French, German, Spanish, American Sign Language or other non-English languages.
At least 18 credits of coursework concentrated in an area outside of the CMJ Department must be completed. This requirement can be fulfilled by completing: (a) a Minor in another department, (b) an Interdisciplinary Curricula, or (c) a concentration of 6 courses (18 credits) taken in another department, with at least 12 of the 18 credit hours taken in coursework above the 100 level. No CMJ or Honors courses can be used to meet any part of this requirement.