Undergraduate Programs in Media Studies

Undergraduate Programs in Media Studies

Students walking through a hallway.

Today’s media outlets range from traditional print vehicles to digital publications, from professional film and TV to do-it-yourself videos broadcast through social networks. Media Studies covers all of these platforms and more, in an undergraduate program that explores media institutions, forms, contents, creative processes, and social effects. This preparation is valuable for anyone entering any profession involving the exchange of information.

The department’s world-renowned professors are experts in disciplines such as film and television studies, advertising and marketing, international communications, and the media arts. Media Studies majors get to create individualized programs in consultation with faculty mentors. New York City also plays a major role in QC’s Media Studies program: students attend events in the five boroughs and may earn credits by interning at major corporate and public institutions in the greater New York area.

BA in Media Studies Requirements

A major in media studies consists of not fewer than 36 nor more than 42 credits.

Requirements:

Core Courses: *(see note below regarding updates)

  • MEDST 100. Media Technologies from Gutenberg to the Internet
  • MEDST 101. Contemporary Media
  • MEDST 201W (formerly 300W). Media Criticism

Media Arts / Creative Production Course: At least one creative media production course, selected from the following:

    • MEDST 241 (Multimedia)
    • 242 (Studio Television)
    • 243 (Intro to Filmmaking)
    • 245 (Screenwriting)
    • 246 (Art of Adaptation)
    • 247 (Intro to Post-Production)
    • 248 (Experimental Media & Drawing)
    • 266 (Podcasting)
    • 310 (Documentary)
    • 313 (Creative Sound)
    • 314 (Directing)
    • 317 (Advanced Post-Production)
    • 318 (Cinematography)
    • 361 (Interactive Storytelling)
      • Note: The one course used to fulfill the creative production requirement cannot be simultaneously counted toward the Advanced Media Studies or Elective requirements.

Advanced Media Studies and Writing-Intensive Courses:

  • Three additional courses at the 300 level, at least two of which must be designated as writing intensive (W)
      • Note: MEDST 392 Internship credits can only be counted as electives.

Elective Courses:

  • Five additional Media Studies courses, at any level.
      • Note: Up to three credits of MEDST 392 Internship can be counted toward the elective requirement.

Appropriate prerequisites will always be enforced.

The Media Studies major requires a minimum of 36 credits. A minimum grade of C is required in order for a course to count toward the major.

*As of Fall 2022, MEDST 200 has been removed as a core course, and replaced with a creative production requirement. Students who declared a Media Studies major PRIOR to June 1, 2022 have two options for the major:

  • If you have completed MEDST 200 with a C or higher: MEDST 200 will count toward your Media Studies core requirement based on the previous guidelines. You are not required to take a creative production course.
  • If you have NOT completed MEDST 200: you should follow the NEW guidelines for the major, taking an eligible creative production class. Any eligible courses you have previously taken will count toward that requirement.
BA in Film Studies

The purpose of the BA program in Film Studies is to afford students the opportunity to study in depth the aesthetic, cultural, sociological, political, philosophical, and psychological elements of the cinema. The Film Studies major and minor are composed of film courses offered by a number of departments in the Divisions of the Arts and Humanities and the Social Sciences. For more information go to the Film Studies website.​​​​

BS in Advertising

The Advertising Major Prepares students for careers in advertising and marketing across categories.

The major will prepare students with the skills to work in marketing management generally while having the opportunity to specialize through minors or certificate programs.

Please see requirements on the Advertising website.

Minor in Media Studies Requirements

The minor consists of 21 credits. The minor requires careful planning, and consultation with departmental faculty is advisable.

Requirements:

Core Courses: *(See below for note regarding updates made in June 2022.)

  • MEDST 100. Media Technologies from Gutenberg to the Internet
  • MEDST 101. Contemporary Media
  • MEDST 201W Media Criticism

Elective Courses:

  • Four additional Media Studies courses. Two of the four courses must be at the 200-level or above.
  • Note: Up to three credits of MEDST 392 Internship can be counted toward the elective requirement.

Majors or minors with junior or senior standing and a 3.0 G.P.A. or higher may also elect to participate in the Media Studies Internship Program involving major media institutions in the greater New York area. See the department website for more details.

*As of Fall 2022, MEDST 200 has been removed as a core course, and replaced with an elective. Students who declared a Media Studies minor PRIOR to June 1, 2022 have two options:
– If you have completed MEDST 200 with a C or higher: MEDST 200 will count toward your Media Studies core requirement based on the previous guidelines. You will need to complete three elective courses.
– If you have NOT completed MEDST 200: you should follow the NEW guidelines for the minor, taking any eligible electives.