Public Relations, Social Media, and Advertising Production Concentration, Communications Media, BS

Major

On Campus, Day

Communications Media

In Short

The Public Relations (PR), Social Media, and Advertising Production concentration gives you the opportunity to focus your career goals in the following areas: public relations, advertising, marketing communications, multimedia and document design, and professional leadership.

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What will I do?

Gain the true understanding of communication situations, media, research and application
Understand the theory behind communication and its goals
Look beyond messaging to discover the meaning, reasoning and art behind it

Joyride: Cars in American Art Exhibit at Fitchburg Art Museum

Communications Media Professor Rob Carr's Document Design Catalog Team/Class just published their catalog (PDF) for the Joyride exhibition at Fitchburg Art Museum.

Professional Communication student Emily Floyd on internship at the PR office for Lowell General Hospital. Here she is with the magazine she helped create.

Media Influencers and Brand Advocates

Mobile App and Website Redesign

Group photo of communication students with advertising award

3rd Place Team at National Student Advertising Competition

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What to expect in your first year

Each course in this concentration combines conceptual study, creative process and a practical application to prepare you for the expectations of professional communication environments.

Within their first year of study, you will produce professional caliber client work and will have the opportunity to be critiqued by experienced professionals throughout the program.

National Student Advertising Competition

Each year our students participate in The National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC). Colleges all over the country compete to create the best marketing plan for a sponsoring organization.

We have competed in District 1, one of the most competitive districts in the country.

In 2020 the sponsoring organization was Adobe. Students conducted research, created a marketing plans book, designed graphics, and created a short commercial. The competition gives students professional content for their portfolios and practical experience in marketing and advertising. Read their entire plans book here.

Watch two videos created by the NSAC team in 2018 for their client Wienerschnitzel.

Fitchburg State NSAC Video 1 from Communications Media Vimeo

Fitchburg State NSAC Video 2 from Communications Media Vimeo

A student can sculpt this major to their passions whether it is writing and graphic design or advertising and business. This unique coursework is really not offered anywhere else and I am so glad I chose to come here.

Julia Kayal, '14

Three photos of a woman's face behind a sheer fabric

Visions

Each year students are given the opportunity to submit original work to be juried and possibly selected for our honors art exhibition, VISIONS. This is a showcase of the year's best student work. VISIONS involves a gallery exhibition and a film/video screening.

Inside the Fire and Light exhibit by Otto Piene

Professional Experiences

An important aspect of the professional communication concentration is giving students professional experiences in a classroom setting. Class projects often involve collaborating with local businesses and organizations. Our students have frequently worked with the Fitchburg Art Museum. A Document Design class collaborated with the Fitchburg Art Museum staff to create a detailed catalog which was used for their exhibit Fire and Light about renowned artist Otto Piene. Read the student created catalog for Fire and Light.

Study Abroad

Faculty-led study abroad course opportunities increase student life-transforming experiences, as do student/faculty cooperative research projects.

Comm media student at the Worcester Chamber of Commerce

Communications Media Internships

Internships

Internships are a great opportunity to get valuable, real-world experiences before entering a competitive job market.

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Degree and Four-Year Plan of Study

BS, PR, Social Media, and Advertising Production Concentration, Communications Media - Program information from the University Catalog.
Four-Year Plan of Study - Required and elective courses for program completion.

Student Learning Outcomes

B.S. in Communications Media

Students should demonstrate proficiency in the core tools and skills of their discipline.
Students should be able to apply aesthetic principles to their work by developing and defending a portfolio that demonstrates craftship and meets professional standards for their discipline.
Students should be able to explain how their work fits in the historical and theoretical context of their discipline.
Students should apply core theoretical principles to the analysis and critique of media.
Students should recognize and apply ethical perspectives to their work.

Career Opportunities

Advertising Manager
Communications Manager
Editor
Marketing Communications Manager
Public Relations Manager
Researcher
Social Media Manager
Writer

Tuition and Fees

Undergraduate Day Tuition and Fees