BA in Mass Communication
From the moment she stumbled upon the classic black and white movie Vertigo, produced by famous director Alfred Hitchcock, mass communication major Destiny Clay knew that she wanted to become a film editor. She chose Brenau University to pursue this dream.
Even though Destiny didn’t know what to expect when we first came to campus, she instantly felt right at home. “After the first week here, the Mass Communication department already felt like family,” she said. Clay, who is also a part of the competition cheer team, instantly fell in love with the mass communication program at Brenau.
“We have a radio station, tv studio and editing rooms specifically for this program,” says Clay. Her favorite practicums are radio and television where she can let her creative juices flow and create, edit and produce for each medium.
At Brenau, the Mass Communication program allows students the unique opportunity to combine various disciplines in the field of communications. The 120-hour bachelor’s degree program is a combination of major courses and specialized courses in one of three concentration areas: digital technology, public relations/promotions or political science/journalism.
“My concentration is political science/journalism,” says Haley Bartoletta, a junior, “I love every moment of it. I am also managing editor for The Alchemist which allows me to use the skills I learn in class in real-time.”
Mass communication students gain hands-on experience as early as their freshman year through practicums in radio, television, newspaper and public relations. In the radio practicum, students learn all aspects of running a radio station by working at Brenau’s FCC-licensed educational radio station WBCX-FM.
“It is really amazing. As early as my freshman year, I was already working in the radio station creating content. It made me realize that I could get into voice acting,” Clay said.
In public relations, students work hands-on with various non-profit organizations in Gainesville. In the television studio, students create and produce their own films throughout the semester. In fact, as a junior mass communication student myself, it made me realize that being behind the scenes directing and producing is just as rewarding as being in front of the camera. I enjoy all aspects of the program, from journalism to the technical side and after graduation, I will have enough experience and credits to work in either field.
In the newspaper practicum, students get the opportunity to go out in the field and work on articles for the student run newspaper, The Alchemist. Some even have the opportunity to be on the editorial team of the newspaper.
“I am very grateful for this opportunity. I am in charge of all media related things in The Alchemist which is what I want to do when I graduate,” says Taylor Love, a senior.
Brenau’s mass communication program is flexible and extremely hands-on. The professors are friendly and ready to help you do what you need to do in order to gain experience in your chosen area of concentration. Choosing this major at Brenau is definitely something you won’t regret.