Media Studies

Prerequisites

Students are required to complete MDST 2000 (Introduction to Media Studies) and MDST 2010 (Introduction to Digital Media Studies) prior to declaring the major. Every course that a student wishes to apply toward the major must be passed at a 2.0 grade or above. Exceptions to these prerequisites are made only at the discretion of the Director of Undergraduate Programs.

Students in their 3rd and 4th years are eligible.

Declaration Information

Students who meet the prerequisite requirements may declare the Media Studies major any time during or after the spring semester of their second year. Students interested in declaring must apply via the on-line pre-declaration form on the Media Studies website. Applications will be reviewed by the department and students will be matched with a Media Studies advisor who will work with the student to complete a major declaration form. Declaration forms will be processed only in the Fall and Spring semesters.

Requirements

Media Studies majors are required to complete a minimum of 32 credits including:

The six electives must include courses that fulfill the following criteria:

One (1) Non-US Media Course from approved list
One (1) Diversity and Identity Course from approved list
Three MDST courses at the 3000-level or above
One MDST course at the 4000-level

Academic Standards: Every course that a student wishes to apply toward the major must be passed at a 2.0 grade or above. Students who are unable to maintain these academic standards will be put on probation by the Media Studies department for one semester. Students who are not able to raise their grade point averages in the subsequent semester will be asked to leave the major.

Transfer Students: Students transferring to UVa and interested in pursuing the Media Studies major must complete MDST 2000 in their first fall semester at UVa and MDST 2010 in their first spring semester. Exceptions made only at the discretion of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Concentration in Media Ethics and Policy

Media Studies majors have the option of concentrating in the general area of media policy and ethics by selecting at least three of their upper-level electives from a list of approved courses that consider major issues in media policy or media ethics. Any other courses, including cross-listed courses, which a student might wish to have count toward the concentration, must be approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Internships in Media Studies

Students who wish to pursue an internship in Media Studies for credit may do so by seeking approval from the Director of Internships prior to the internship. Students who have been approved for internship credit must enroll in MDST 3800: Media Studies Internship I during the semester of their internship or during the semester immediately following their internship (i.e., a student interning in the summer of 2013 may enroll in MDST 3800 that summer or in Fall 2013). MDST 3800 is a 1-credit course restricted to Media Studies Majors that does not count toward the major requirements. Students wishing to take a second internship for credit must enroll in MDST 3801: Media Studies Internship II.

Prerequisites and Application

Students with superior academic performance are encouraged to apply for the Honors Program in Media Studies in which they write a thesis or complete a substantial creative portfolio with appropriate documentation demonstrating independent study of high quality. An application is required for entrance to the Honors Program. Students must apply in the second semester of their second year by the deadline posted on the Media Studies website. The application process is highly selective and takes into account the applicant’s GPA, application essay, as well as other factors. Once accepted, the student will be assigned a faculty advisor who will guide the student in the preparation of her or his degree plan, in the selection of courses, and who will help the student with all matters related to her or his intellectual pursuits. Prior to applying, students are expected to have completed MDST 2000 (Introduction to Media Studies) and 2010 (Introduction to Digital Media Studies). Exceptions to these pre-requisites are made only at the discretion of the Director the Media Studies Honors Program.

Requirements

Media Studies honors students are required to complete a minimum of 38 credits including:

Students will choose their electives in consultation with their faculty advisor and the Director of the Media Studies Honors Program. These courses must constitute a plan that furthers the student’s special interest(s).

Honors students are expected to earn at least a 3.000 in each MDST and MDSH course applied to the Honors Program and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.400 per university policy. Students who are unable to maintain these academic standards will be put on probation by the Media Studies department for one semester. Students who are not able to raise their grade point averages in the subsequent semester will be asked to leave the honors program, but may continue as a Media Studies major provided that they meet the minimum requirements for that major.

Depending on their performance in the Honors Program, students are eligible to graduate with Honors, High Honors, or Highest Honors and such a designation will be reflected on their diplomas.