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Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
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2018-2019

Mass Communications

College of Humanities and Sciences

Concentration(s):
Advertising/Creative and Advertising/Strategic
Program description

The Robertson School of Media and Culture prepares effective and skilled communicators through quality instruction, advising and student services, based on real-world applications. Through research, professional service and scholarship in applied communications, the school advances the knowledge and practice of a multidisciplinary and evolving media environment. The school values truth, ethics, creativity, innovation, collaboration, cultural diversity, shared governance and community engagement.

The school offers a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications with specialization in one of three concentrations: advertising, journalism and public relations. The school also awards the Master of Science in Mass Communications, with concentrations in the areas of integrated PR and advertising, multimedia journalism, and strategic public relations.



Career opportunities

The concentration in advertising prepares students for careers at advertising agencies, marketing departments of corporations or service organizations and media companies.

Change of major requirements

Must complete MASC 101 and MASC 201 with a C or better and have a cumulative GPA of 2.50; must attend a change of major workshop. Review the RSMC entry requirements, program structure, resources and change of major process here: https://robertson.vcu.edu/undergraduate/advising/change-of-major/.

Email rfroach@vcu.edu for information about eligibility and change of major workshop sign-up.

Bachelor-level job titles
  • Advertising & Promotions Manager
  • Advertising Sales Agent
  • Copywriter
  • Graphic Designer
  • Illustrator
  • Marketing Research Analyst
  • Multimedia Artists & Animators
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Retail Sales Management
  • Search Marketing Strategists
  • Social Science Research Assistant
  • Software Developer
Professional associations and resources
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
  • STAT 210
Science required
  • Core only
Foreign language requirements
  • Yes
Additional tuition/fees
  • No
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 2.5

Contact information

Department name:
Robertson School of Media and Culture
Building/room location:
Temple, 2nd floor
Phone:
(804) 828-2660
Email:
robertsonsmc@vcu.edu
https://robertson.vcu.edu/
Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):
Monroe Park
Major map compass icon
Major map

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss tutoring, course electives, and degree progression.
  • Take MASC 101 and maintain 2.5 GPA.
  • Explore local Advertising agencies to discover if Creative or Strategic advertising is a fit.
  • Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond, including its museums, parks, festivals, and cultural events!
  • Apply to live in the ASPiRE, Globe, INNOVATE, or LEAD Living & Learning Programs.
  • Get involved with VCU Student Government or one of over 450 clubs and organization.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers and job titles in field of study.
  • Complete Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists to learn about opportunities.
  • Build a LinkedIn profile with Career Services.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with academic or career advisor.
  • Use Lynda.com & Code Academy to enhance your digital literacy and technical skills.
  • Learn how to develop a personal budget from a freelance perspective.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses.
  • Take MASC 201 in fall and MASC 204 in spring.
  • Take UNIV 200.
  • File request/petition to declare concentration in MASC 204.
  • Maintain 2.5 GPA (major and cumulative).
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Take service-learning classes or volunteer to address a social issue (ConnectVA & HandsOnRVA).
  • Join the VCU Ad Club.
  • Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for I-LEAD Connect, Alternative Spring Break, and other leadership and service events.
  • Write for The Commonwealth Times.
  • Attend VCU Brandcenter Friday Forums.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week.
  • Get to know other VCU students from all over the world at a monthly Global Café!
  • Consider short-term, semester and year long Study Abroad opportunities.
  • Attend OMSA Social Justice Conference.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Create a draft resume and come to drop-ins with Robertson School’s Career Development Advisor.
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs throughout the year to explore your interests.
  • Find work you admire; follow on Twitter, Tumblr, etc.
  • Make things like CD covers, copy, logos, strategies, or client questions and post to a blog; compare brands.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Conduct numerous informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Apply to scholarships for next year. Many deadlines are January - March.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • See an advisor at least once, each semester.
  • For Creative Advertising, take MASC 300 in the fall and 392 and 394 in the spring. For Strategic Advertising, complete MASC 398 and 399.
  • Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes in your major, and strategies for success in your degree program.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Volunteer for CreateAthon during spring semester spring break.
  • Create and complete a community-engaged research project.
  • Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.
  • Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by the department.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Take a course that links diversity to your field of study.
  • Join a cultural organization.
  • Apply for a Fulbright or other post-graduate international fellowship program through VCU’s National Scholarship Office.
  • Attend OMSA Tunnel of Oppression.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Identify at least three career options within your field of interest that you may want to pursue.
  • Meet with a career adviser to discuss your career direction and create an action plan.
  • Complete an internship or freelance.
  • Submit work to creative competitions.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Begin to develop your portfolio.
  • Create a website.
  • Based on career goals, talk to a career/academic advisor or a faculty member about whether graduate school or a job fits your career goals.
  • Join job listserv sites that provide access to job postings in desired fields. Revisit gap analysis assessment and continue adjusting strategic career plan with Career Services.

Excel
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Attend a graduation workshop a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met.
  • For Creative, take MASC 450 and 481 in fall and 451 in spring. For Strategic take MASC 459, 481 and your internship.
  • Become a mentor to a freshman or sophomore Advertising major.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Attend the annual Portfolio Review event for graduating Advertising majors.
  • Present at the Diversity Scholars in Research Week.
  • Build your intercultural competence by engaging with international students on campus.
  • Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by the department.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Gain practical experience related to your career goal through internships, externships and skill building.
  • Gain feedback from professionals on your professional work. Develop/incorporate side project/interests into portfolio.
  • Expand your network and remember that you can network anywhere.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Complete necessary exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for next steps beyond graduation.
  • Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Have your personal statement or cover letter reviewed, and do a mock interview at Robertson School’s Career Services.
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2018-2019

Mass Communications

College of Humanities and Sciences

Concentration(s):
Advertising/Creative and Advertising/Strategic
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore Year 1
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss tutoring, course electives, and degree progression.
  • Take MASC 101 and maintain 2.5 GPA.
  • Explore local Advertising agencies to discover if Creative or Strategic advertising is a fit.
  • Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience.
  • Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond, including its museums, parks, festivals, and cultural events!
  • Apply to live in the ASPiRE, Globe, INNOVATE, or LEAD Living & Learning Programs.
  • Get involved with VCU Student Government or one of over 450 clubs and organization.
  • Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers and job titles in field of study.
  • Complete Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists to learn about opportunities.
  • Build a LinkedIn profile with Career Services.
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with academic or career advisor.
  • Use Lynda.com & Code Academy to enhance your digital literacy and technical skills.
  • Learn how to develop a personal budget from a freelance perspective.
Experience Year 2
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses.
  • Take MASC 201 in fall and MASC 204 in spring.
  • Take UNIV 200.
  • File request/petition to declare concentration in MASC 204.
  • Maintain 2.5 GPA (major and cumulative).
  • Take service-learning classes or volunteer to address a social issue (ConnectVA & HandsOnRVA).
  • Join the VCU Ad Club.
  • Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for I-LEAD Connect, Alternative Spring Break, and other leadership and service events.
  • Write for The Commonwealth Times.
  • Attend VCU Brandcenter Friday Forums.
  • Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week.
  • Get to know other VCU students from all over the world at a monthly Global Café!
  • Consider short-term, semester and year long Study Abroad opportunities.
  • Attend OMSA Social Justice Conference.
  • Create a draft resume and come to drop-ins with Robertson School’s Career Development Advisor.
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs throughout the year to explore your interests.
  • Find work you admire; follow on Twitter, Tumblr, etc.
  • Make things like CD covers, copy, logos, strategies, or client questions and post to a blog; compare brands.
  • Conduct numerous informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Apply to scholarships for next year. Many deadlines are January - March.
Year 3
  • See an advisor at least once, each semester.
  • For Creative Advertising, take MASC 300 in the fall and 392 and 394 in the spring. For Strategic Advertising, complete MASC 398 and 399.
  • Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes in your major, and strategies for success in your degree program.
  • Volunteer for CreateAthon during spring semester spring break.
  • Create and complete a community-engaged research project.
  • Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.
  • Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by the department.
  • Take a course that links diversity to your field of study.
  • Join a cultural organization.
  • Apply for a Fulbright or other post-graduate international fellowship program through VCU’s National Scholarship Office.
  • Attend OMSA Tunnel of Oppression.
  • Identify at least three career options within your field of interest that you may want to pursue.
  • Meet with a career adviser to discuss your career direction and create an action plan.
  • Complete an internship or freelance.
  • Submit work to creative competitions.
  • Begin to develop your portfolio.
  • Create a website.
  • Based on career goals, talk to a career/academic advisor or a faculty member about whether graduate school or a job fits your career goals.
  • Join job listserv sites that provide access to job postings in desired fields. Revisit gap analysis assessment and continue adjusting strategic career plan with Career Services.
Excel Year 4
  • Attend a graduation workshop a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met.
  • For Creative, take MASC 450 and 481 in fall and 451 in spring. For Strategic take MASC 459, 481 and your internship.
  • Become a mentor to a freshman or sophomore Advertising major.
  • Attend the annual Portfolio Review event for graduating Advertising majors.
  • Present at the Diversity Scholars in Research Week.
  • Build your intercultural competence by engaging with international students on campus.
  • Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by the department.
  • Gain practical experience related to your career goal through internships, externships and skill building.
  • Gain feedback from professionals on your professional work. Develop/incorporate side project/interests into portfolio.
  • Expand your network and remember that you can network anywhere.
  • Complete necessary exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for next steps beyond graduation.
  • Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Have your personal statement or cover letter reviewed, and do a mock interview at Robertson School’s Career Services.