Media Studies

Prerequisites

---

Students are required to complete MDST 2000 (Introduction to Media Studies) or 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 2.3 grade or above. Exceptions to these prerequisites are made only at the discretion of the Director of Undergraduate Programs.

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 complete the on-line pre-declaration form on the Media Studies website. The form 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:

  (Pre-requisite) 4 credits
  (Pre-requisite) 4 credits
  3 credits
One (1) Practice of Media Course from approved list 3-4 credits (Note only one [1] Practice of Media Course can be applied to the overall 32 credit requirement for the major, unless indicated as an exception on the approved list.)
Six (6) Electives at the 3000-level or above 18 credit minimum

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
One (1) MDST course at the 4000-level
Three (3) MDST courses at the 3000-level or above

Academic Standards: Every course that a student wishes to apply toward the major must be passed at a 2.3 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.

Prerequisites and Application

---

Students with superior academic performance are encouraged to apply for the Distinguished Majors Program (DMP) 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 DMP. 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) or 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 DMP students are required to complete a minimum of 38 credits including:

  (Pre-requisite) 4 credits
  (Pre-requisite) 4 credits
  3 credits
  3 credits
  3 credits
  3 credits
Six (6) MDST electives at the 3000-level or above, 18 credit minimum
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
One (1) MDST course at the 4000-level
One Practice of Media Courses from the pre-approved list or MDST 3801. A second Practice of Media course may be applied to the DMP if the student chooses. Practice of Media courses are exempt from the 3000-level requirement as many are taught at the 2000-level.

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

DMP students are expected to earn at least a 3.000 in each MDST course applied to the Distinguished Majors 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 DMP, students are eligible to graduate with Honors, High Honors, or Highest Honors and such a designation will be reflected on their diplomas.