Program Details
Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications - General Broadcast Concentration
Bachelor of ScienceNorfolk State University
Transfer Guides are designed to maximize transfer credit as students complete their associate degree at the community college before transferring to the bachelor's degree program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college. The following Transfer Guide(s), applicable to this program, are available in the Resource Center. If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.
The mission of the Department of Mass Communications and Journalism is to advance the academic and professional excellence of undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, and media practitioners through programs of teaching, research, and public service that combine strong liberal arts and science studies with professional preparation for media careers. The Department shall produce graduates who meet high standards of performance in gathering, editing, interpreting, and disseminating information that may determine the public discourse. The Department offers an undergraduate degree program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications in either of two tracks: General Broadcast or Journalism, and a graduate degree program leading to the Master of Arts in Media and Communications. The curriculum is designed to meet the requirements of the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC). In addition to the major coursework, ACEJMC standards require undergraduate students to complete at least 72 hours outside of the major, as well as the general education requirements in the liberal arts and sciences at Norfolk State University.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | All Mass Communication students are required to read and follow policies in the NSU undergraduate catalog. https://catalog.nsu.edu/undergraduate/ |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Students must complete 39 hours of course work in major, 65 hours outside of major and 15 hours in electives. 1 credit hour required in physical activity.
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | Grades of C or higher are required for all JRN and MCM courses. |
Doing More With Your Degree | The department offers two tracks that lead to the B.S. in Mass Communications. One track is a concentration in General Broadcasting and the other is in Journalism. The department also offers a minor in Mass Communication. |
Program Successes & Highlights | The department is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC). Graduation Rate Trends: BA.JRN = 29% B.A.Mass Comm = 41% NSU = 40% |
Program Credit Requirements

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Applicable Admissions Agreements

The table below lists admissions agreements between Norfolk State University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Completion of the general education certificate or a transfer-oriented associate degree program will guarantee completion of the University Core general education component of the NSU undergraduate curriculum but may not fulfill specific departmental requirements or prerequisites needed for the major.
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Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students earning an associate degree while in high school are not eligible for guaranteed admission programs and must complete 3 college-specific general education courses. All courses are evaluated and trasnferred as applicable to your degree. |
Credit for Prior Learning | We accept AP, IB, and CLEP results for college credit if the score earned meets college expectations. |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | Norfolk State University enrolls approximately 400 transfer students each fall. The average class size is 23 students . The student to teacher ratio is 18:1. On campus housing is available. Our top five academic programs for transfer students is Pre-Nursing, Social Work, Psychology, Business, and Interdisciplinary Studies |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Students may confirm intent to enroll via the Transfer VA Portal using College Connect. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Northern Virginia Community College | Liberal Arts: Communication Studies Specialization, A.A. | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - General Studies (Professional Communication) | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Science in Social Science Degree Communications Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Marymount University | Communication (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Art | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bridgewater College | Professional Writing Major - BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Mass Communications with concentration in Advertising/Creative, Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Mass Communications with concentration in Advertising/Creative (online), Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | Online |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Mass Communications with concentration in Advertising/Strategic, Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Mass Communications with concentration in Journalism/Broadcast, Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Mass Communications with concentration in Journalism/Digital, Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Mass Communications with concentration in Media Production, Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Mass Communications with concentration in Public Relations, Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Mass Communications with concentration in Public Relations (online), Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | Online |
Randolph-Macon College | Communication Studies (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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25-1122.00 | Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in communications, such as organizational communications, public relations, radio/television broadcasting, and journalism. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
27-3041.00 | Editors | Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-3043.05 | Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers | Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-3043.00 | Writers and Authors | Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-3023.00 | News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | Narrate or write news stories, reviews, or commentary for print, broadcast, or other communications media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, or television. May collect and analyze information through interview, investigation, or observation. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
11-2032.00 | Public Relations Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client. | Management Occupations |
Cost To Complete
