Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications

Catalog Year 2025-2026

Based on VCCS Curriculum for COMMUNICATION

Transfer Guidance

Guaranteed Admission Agreement Requirements

• Earn a transfer associate degree based on the Communications curriculum.

• Earn a minimum of 2.0 GPA for the associate degree.

• A maximum of 63 credits will transfer and apply toward the B.S. in Communications degree requirements.

• Submit your transfer application for admission by March 1, including an unofficial transcript.

• Request an official transcript to be sent upon completing the associate degree.

• Transfer within four years of first enrolling at the community college and within one year of completing the appropriate associate degree.

• Please visit the www.TransferVirginia.org portal to find course requirements for different majors (Transfer Tools) and Transfer Guides.

Important Links & Dates

• University Transfer Center: Transfer Admissions & Services https://www.nsu.edu/transfer

• Register Intent to Transfer: By the end of your first semester at the Community College through College Connect at www.TransferVirginia.org

• Admission Application: By May 1 at https://www.nsu.edu/Admissions-Aid/Apply-Online

• Financial Aid: https://www.nsu.edu/tuition-and-financial-aid

• FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid: By October 1 at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses?

• Students must complete 39 hours of coursework in major, 65 hours outside of major and 15 hours in electives. 1 credit hour in physical activity is required to graduate.

• As a Mass Communications degree student, you will study foundational media topics like law and ethics, impact on society and media history. You will also build your skills with courses related to your concentration.

• Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, and complete your first math and English courses in your first year.

• Connect with an advisor at your community college and NSU within your first year. College Connect available in your account at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• All Mass Communication students are required to read and follow policies in the NSU undergraduate catalog. https://catalog.nsu.edu/undergraduate/

• The Department of Mass Communications and Journalism 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.

What Is The Impact On My Degree Of Work I Have Already Completed?

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: Completion of a transfer-level associate degree satisfies all lower-division general education requirements.

• Dual Enrollment - Completion of Associate Degree in HS: The agreement of guaranteed admission into the college applies to students earning an associate degree concurrent with high school who have completed a transfer-approved degree with a minimum of 45 credits completed through a Virginia Community College, with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.

• Credit for Prior Learning: All course credits that were awarded by the two-year institution for equivalent prior learning experiences (IB, AP, CLEP, Military, etc.) will transfer based on the transfer equivalence.

• Catalog Year: Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance at the community college post high school graduation.

Is This College Right For Me?

• NSU has been ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the Top 20 HBCUs in the nation.

• It is close to downtown Norfolk and within driving distance of Virginia Beach.

• On-campus housing is available.

• Weekend/evening/summer courses are available, and online degree options are available for several programs.

• NSU is a military-friendly institution.

• Learn more about our college at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Did You Know That…

• Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor degree?

• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at NSU?

What Can I Do With This Degree?

• Our major in Mass Communications provides a solid foundation that can be applied to a career in media, government, academia, marketing, or nonprofit work. Our Mass Communications degree graduates are employed in a variety of jobs including public relations specialist, social media manager, journalist, news anchor, news reporter, and TV and radio producer. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in media and communications are growing at a faster rate than other industries. You can expect an average annual salary of over $50,000. Explore possible careers, salaries, and job outlook at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Program Successes & Highlights

• The department is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC).

• Graduation Rate Trends: B.A. JRN = 29%, B.A. Mass Comm = 41%, NSU = 40%

• Our new on-campus television studio, WNSU–CCTV47, and updated radio station, WNSB Hot 91.1 FM, feature the same advanced technology used in professional studios.

• Students gain knowledge of TV and radio production and directing and experience a live studio program.

What Are My Chances For Getting Accepted?

• The most important success strategy in this program is to adhere to the prerequisite sequences, as indicated on the Communications curriculum.

• NSU accepts close to 90 percent of students who complete an application.

• The average GPA of students admitted is a 2.9.

• Learn more about applying at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Do More With Your Degree!

• The department offers a program leading to a Master of Arts degree in Media and Communications.

Other Than Classes, Are There Other Program Requirements?

• In addition to classroom projects, you will complete an internship that will help you determine what career opportunities you want to pursue after graduation while further developing your skills and professional network.