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College of Arts & Sciences

Mass Media 

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Kathy Elliott

Department Assistant

Mass Media & Visual Arts

Immersive & Integrated

About

At larger state schools, being a mass media major usually means a lot of waiting.

But at Baker University, our students have the opportunity to contribute to our award-winning, student-run online newspaper and online radio station as early as the second semester of their freshman year.

To create a personalized education experience, we offer three tracks for media majors—public relations, multimedia, and sports media—designed with flexible, integrated curriculum to fit your interests.

Female student editing video on computer

Get Involved

Baker mass media students have a multitude of opportunities for involvement in and out of the classroom, including the award-winning media outlets:  Baker Orange news, radio, and video.

Mass Media Tracks

MULTIMEDIA

The multimedia track reflects the modern version of traditional journalism in online and digital forms. The multimedia track emphasizes strong writing skills and production knowledge including publications design and video editing. Students on this track are also exposed to the growing demand for digital skills such as website creation and management. Completing the multimedia track prepares students for jobs in traditional newsroom settings, internet-based companies, and graphic-intensive fields.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

One of the fastest growing professional fields is public relations. PR practitioners shape organizational messages and craft organizational images. Understanding the ways in which media operate and respond to PR messages is central to the Baker program. PR professionals are the ones who plan, execute, and evaluate an entity’s communication plan, be it through agency, corporate, or nonprofit positions. Students who complete the mass media major on the PR track will be ready to work in this exciting field, but they will also have the versatility to work in sales, marketing, advertising, and corporate communications.

SPORTS MEDIA

The sports media track takes the best elements of our multimedia and public relations tracks and combines them with elements of sports management and administration. Students on the sports media track will emerge from the program with valuable professional skills that are in demand for careers in sports public relations or college sports information offices. Sports media students are also well prepared to pursue careers in sports broadcasting.

student taking notes in a mass media class
Two female students working on mass media project
Male student editing images on computer
Female student giving a presentation with notecards in hand

Exceptional Experience

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Develop Your Skills

Professors will work with you in small classroom settings to learn the skills that interest you. You’ll have abundant opportunities to go above and beyond, building your portfolio as soon as day one.

The Sky’s The Limit

Our students, from freshmen to seniors, can be found broadcasting Baker football games in the press box at Liston Stadium, winning Pacemaker and personal awards at national journalism competitions, and interning at multimillion dollar public relations firms in Kansas City.

Meet Lifelong Mentors

Relationships with professors extend beyond the classroom and beyond graduation. Students are regularly invited back to campus to speak after graduation, and professors continually provide graduates with career and professional advice.

Careers

Our mass media majors have landed these jobs:

  • Digital media coordinator for NFL teams
  • Social media specialist
  • New York Times best-selling author
  • Broadcast journalist
  • Public relations coordinator
Three students listening to lecture in classroom

Mass Media Scholarships

Talent-Based Scholarships

Baker University offers talent-based scholarships to students who plan to be involved in the Baker Orange online campus newspaper, Baker Orange video, or Baker Orange radio, our online campus radio station.

Application Requirements

To apply for this scholarship, you must complete the online application and submit the following application materials. You must also have been admitted to Baker and may be required to interview with the department faculty.

  • Resume
    Your resume of high school activities, honors, and employment should demonstrate both work ethic and achievement.
  • Three samples of work in the mass media or in high school classes
    Samples should  demonstrate your potential for success in media work. These samples might include published or unpublished writing samples, websites or pages you have designed, or audio or video you have produced. If you have questions, please ask.
  • 300-Word Essay
    Your essay should reflect your interest and career goals related to journalism and mass media.
  • Letter of recommendation from a teacher or employer
    The recommendation should be from someone who can speak about your potential for success in mass media classrooms and workshops.

Submit Application & Materials

For more information, contact Dr. Joe Watson at joe.watson@bakerU.edu.

Department Scholarships

The Department of Mass Media and Visual Arts gives these awards with financial prizes to be applied to the following year’s tuition:

  • Mildred Hunt Riddle Departmental Recognition Scholarship for Art
  • Mildred Hunt Riddle Departmental Recognition Scholarship for Mass Media
  • Lloyd E. Ligon Memorial Scholarship
  • Eulalia Weber Guise Scholarship
  • Eugene C. Pulliam Journalism Scholarship
  • David Sloop Memorial Scholarship
  • Sherri Wood Memorial Scholarship
  • Nancy and Carl Spear Scholarship
  • Jerry Holley Scholarship
  • Frank and Joyce Leitnaker Scholarship
  • Harold Davis Colburn Scholarship
  • Jesse L. Jones Scholarship

Mass Media Course Descriptions

Meet the Faculty

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Dr. Joe Watson

Professor of Mass Media, Chair of Department of Mass Media & Visual Arts

B.A. Pittsburg State University, M.A. The University of Akron, Ph.D. Kent State University

Expertise: broadcasting, broadcast news

Office: Pulliam 201

Dr. Jessica Elam

Assistant Professor of Mass Media

B.S. Webster University, M.A. East Carolina University, Ph.D. North Carolina State University

Expertise: digital media

Office: Pulliam 205

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Tasha Riggins

Assistant Professor of Mass Media

B.A. Allegheny College, M.S. University of Kansas

Expertise: public relations and strategic communication

Office: Pulliam 302

Parmenter and long student center

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