Chairperson: Jim Vota, M.S.

The Media department empowers students to become skilled, effective, ethical and thoughtful civic communicators in a wide variety of media.

Students learn media theory — so they can understand the complex roles, functions and ethical obligations of media organizations and professionals — and the practical skills that enable them to become successful media practitioners.

The Media curriculum is firmly embedded in the Duquesne University mission of Education for the Mind, the Heart and the Spirit and committed to the idea that communicators can and should use their knowledge and skills to make positive contributions to their communities. Courses in Media Ethics and Technology are department keystones.

Students in our department master multimedia storytelling techniques that serve Multiplatform Journalism, Strategic Public Relations and Advertising, Sports Information and Media, and Web and Multimedia Design and Development. Students learn not only how to tell stories but also to understand what makes a story worthwhile and how to engage a variety of broad and targeted audiences with multimedia storytelling. Today's media professional must be versatile. It's no longer enough to just write or just master photography or videography. Instead, media professionals, whether working in journalism, advertising or public relations, must produce stories that are suited to a wide variety of platforms, including social media.

We are an agile and ambitious department and seize opportunities to mirror and even outpace fast-changing paradigms and techniques in media industries. For example, our Multiplatform Journalism major is among the first of its kind in the country and prepares students to work not only in traditional print and broadcast media but also in social media and foundation-based journalism. Our Public Relations and Advertising Major teaches foundational principles of persuasion but takes into account new approaches in social media and "advergaming." Our Sports Information and Media program is one of the first of its kind in the country and the only of its kind in the region.

Our departmental approach is collaborative, with faculty and students working together to create synergies in understanding and application of theory, social trends and multimedia technology.

Upon completing the program, students will possess a thorough understanding of media forms and delivery systems that will enhance their power as citizens and position them for careers in the ever-expanding universe of media industries.

Students majoring in Media can choose to major in the following:

  • Digital Media Arts
    • Multimedia Development Concentration
    • Web Development Concentration
  • Multiplatform Journalism
  • Sports Information and Media
  • Strategic Public Relations and Advertising

Basic Requirements

A minimum of 36 department credits is required for all majors in the Media department (exception: 45 departmental credits for Sports Information and Media). All students will take 12 credits of specified departmental core courses that emphasize the values and responsibilities of modern communicators and technologists, and 24 credits of Media courses in the student's area of study (33 credits for Sports), plus a minimum of 84 additional credits from the rest of the university. Students must have at least 120 credits to receive a bachelor's degree. Prior to scheduling each semester, each student must meet with his or her departmental mentor to help formulate his or her curriculum.

Digital Media Arts Undergraduate Major – Multimedia Development Concentration

Multimedia is the skillful merging of creative thinking, design, information management, development, interactive environments, and visual communication through technology.

Students apply these concepts and processes to create robust multimedia experiences in a variety of disciplines and industries.

Students will be able to:

  • Edit digital photographs.
  • Create and manipulate images for a variety of platforms.
  • Create digital videos for web and mobile devices.
  • Create and design websites.
  • Apply graphic design principles.
  • Create and manipulate digital sound.

Digital Media Arts Major – Multimedia (36 Credits)

  • MDIA 140 - Media Literacy*
  • MDIA 260 - New Media Production*
  • MDIA 465W - Media Ethics*
  • MDIA 473 - Media Law and Regulation*
  • Elective chosen in collaboration with faculty mentor
  • DMA 440 - Professional Development & Project Management
  • ADPR 340W - Writing for Advertising and Copywriting
  • DMA 402 - Visual Design & Layout
  • Other Media elective courses (12 credits) Students will select electives after consultation with their departmental mentors.

*All majors in the Media department will take 12 credits of departmental core courses.

Digital Media Arts Undergraduate Major – Web Development Concentration

The Web concentration allows students to pursue a design and usability approach to web development or a more technical programming approach. The design approach is the study of graphic design and interface usability for the development of attractive and functional web pages. The technical approach focuses on programming languages for the web, database applications and other server technologies to build web-based applications.

Students will be able to:

  • Evaluate website usability.
  • Optimize media for web delivery.
  • Understand and apply web design standards.
  • Create database-driven dynamic websites.
  • Create sites that incorporate evolving web capabilities.
  • Develop interactive client-side interfaces.

Digital Media Arts Major - Web (36 Credits)

  • MDIA 140 - Media Literacy*
  • MDIA 260 - New Media Production*
  • MDIA 465W - Media Ethics*
  • MDIA 473 - Media Law and Regulation*
  • Elective chosen in collaboration with faculty mentor
  • DMA 440 - Professional Development & Project Management
  • DMA 226 - Intro to Web Design & Development
  • DMA 318 - Web Design
  • DMA 472 - Client-Side Scripting I
  • Other Media elective courses (nine credits) Students will select electives after consultation with their departmental mentors.

*All majors in the Media department will take 12 credits of specified departmental core courses.

Multiplatform Journalism Undergraduate Major

The Multiplatform Journalism curriculum prepares students to work as multimedia journalists across a wide variety of platforms — from online news sites to traditional print and broadcast outlets. Today's journalist must be multifaceted. A reporter at an online news outlet might, in a single day, shoot video, produce an audio story and write several iterations of a story for a website and social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Conversely, a reporter at a broadcast station or cable outlet might produce both visual and written versions of a story. Multiplatform Journalism equips students with the knowledge and skills to produce content for any platform and allows them to seize opportunities as new platforms emerge. In this program, you'll learn to interview, research, report, write, shoot and edit audio and video, create graphics and master social media.

Students will be able to:

  • Understand the importance of news and the role it plays in our civic and political culture.
  • Develop the ability to evaluate the newsworthiness of events.
  • Study and internalize the public service functions and ethical obligations of journalism.
  • Develop and apply a variety of reporting techniques, including interviewing, database research and use of public records.
  • Produce multiplatform stories for news, sports, entertainment and various niche genres.
  • Learn and practice narrative, video, audio and graphical storytelling techniques that are applicable across a wide variety of platforms, including print, broadcast, web, social media and emerging web-based and mobile platforms.
  • Learn within an ethos of adaptability so that, as media platforms and techniques change, students are able to change with them — and possess the theoretical knowledge and practical flexibility to lead that change.

Multiplatform Journalism (36 Credits)

  • MDIA 140 - Media Literacy*
  • MDIA 260 - New Media Production*
  • MDIA 465W - Media Ethics*
  • MDIA 473 - Media Law and Regulation*
  • JOUR 177 (0 credits) - Language for Journalists (concurrent with JOUR 200W)
  • JOUR 200W - Multiplatform Newsroom I
  • JOUR 300W - Multiplatform Newsroom II
  • MDIA 324 - Principles of Audio and Video
  • JOUR 341 - Video News Gathering and Field Production
  • JOUR 360W - Multiplatform Editing
  • JOUR 469W - Magazine Journalism OR JOUR 471 - Investigative Reporting
  • Media elective courses (six credits) Students will select electives after consultation with their departmental mentors.

*All majors in the Media department will take 12 credits of departmental core courses.

Strategic Public Relations and Advertising Undergraduate Major

Course work in these areas provides students with a thorough grounding in the fundamental skills and practices of public relations and advertising along with a theoretical understanding of their cultural importance as the primary means of persuasion in modern life. Students explore the differences, similarities and integration of public relations and advertising, a critical evaluation of industry content, and hands-on production skills. As students move through the program, they can gain professional experience with on-campus and metro-area media and agencies.

Working with a departmental mentor, students may emphasize either public relations or advertising or choose an integrated approach to both.

Students will be able to:

  • Create a wide variety of advertisements for magazines, newspapers and TV.
  • Manage advertising and public relations campaigns.
  • Create campaigns for nonprofit institutions.
  • Plan events.
  • Understand and apply international advertising and public relations media needs.
  • Account for cultural differences and how they impact advertising or public relations.

Public Relations (36 Credits)

  • MDIA 140 - Media Literacy*
  • MDIA 260 - New Media Production*
  • MDIA 465W - Media Ethics*
  • MDIA 473 - Media Law and Regulation*
  • ADPR 243 - Public Relations in Strategic Media
  • JOUR 177 (0 credits) - Language for Journalists (concurrent with JOUR 200W)
  • JOUR 200W - Multiplatform Newsroom I
  • ADPR 410 - Public Relations Strategies and Case Studies
  • ADPR 418W - Public Relations Campaigns
  • ADPR 467 - Media Research Methods
  • MKTG 271 - Introduction to Marketing
  • Media elective courses (six credits) Students will select electives after consultation with their departmental mentors.

*All majors in the Media department will take 12 credits of departmental core courses.

Advertising (36 Credits)

  • MDIA 140 - Media Literacy*
  • MDIA 260 - New Media Production*
  • MDIA 465W - Media Ethics*
  • MDIA 473 - Media Law and Regulation*
  • ADPR 220 - Advertising in Strategic Media
  • ADPR 340W - Writing for Advertising and Copywriting
  • ADPR 422 - Advertising Strategies and Case Studies
  • ADPR 419 - Advertising Campaigns, Writing and Production
  • ADPR 467 - Media Research Methods
  • MKTG 271 - Introduction to Marketing
  • Media elective courses (six credits) Students will select electives after consultation with their departmental mentors.

*All majors in the Media department will take 12 credits of departmental core courses.

Sports Information and Media

This major prepares students for careers in sports media and/or public relations, including the sportswriting, sportscasting and job-rich "sports information" fields, among others. This is an ideal program for a university with NCAA Division I programs inside a major league sports city.

"Sports information" is the term most commonly used to refer to public-relations work done on behalf of college athletics departments nationwide. At the professional-sports level, the term is also known as "content," "media relations," "communications" and/or "public affairs," among other names. Students in this program would be prepared to work under those titles, as well.

Sports Information and Media (45 Credits)

  • MDIA 140 - Media Literacy*
  • MDIA 260 - New Media Production*
  • MDIA 465W - Media Ethics*
  • MDIA 473 - Media Law and Regulation*
  • JOUR 177 (0 credits) - Language for Journalists (concurrent with JOUR 200W)
  • JOUR 200W - Multiplatform Newsroom I
  • ADPR 243 - Public Relations in Strategic Media
  • JOUR/SPTS 380 - Sports Reporting I: Sportscasting
  • JOUR/SPTS 381W - Sports Reporting II: Sportswriting
  • SPTS 434 - Media and Sports
  • SPTS 436 - Sports Media Practices
  • ADPR 303W - Social Media and Digital Marketing
  • MDIA/SPTS 452 - Internship - This must be with Duquesne Athletics' sports information/media relations office. The department chairperson must approve any alternate assignment.
  • Electives: minimum of nine credits total; must be chosen in consultation with assigned departmental mentor

*All majors in the Media department will take 12 credits of departmental core courses.

Requirements for a Second Major Within the Department

Students who complete the requirements for one of the majors within the Media department can complete the requirements for a second Media bachelor's degree by taking an additional 24 credits negotiated with and approved by a Media mentor. These credits fulfill the requirement in the College that a student must have a minor or second major.

Double Major With English

Students can double major in English and either Multiplatform Journalism, Digital Media Arts, or Strategic Public Relations and Advertising. If the first selected major is English, 30 credits are required in English while 30 more are required from one of the Media majors listed above. If the first selected major is one of the Media majors listed above, 36 credits are required in Media while 24 credits are required in English.

Double Major With Other Departments

Students should always consult with their advisers, especially when combining Media majors with other majors — liberal arts or otherwise — so as to complete minimum requirements.

Requirements for a Minor in Multiplatform Journalism (18 Credits)

Within Media Department

Multiplatform Journalism core (three credits)

  • JOUR 177 - Language for Journalists (zero credits)
  • JOUR 200W - Multiplatform Newsroom I (three credits)

Option 1 (nine credits)

  • JOUR 300W - Multiplatform Newsroom II
  • JOUR 360W - Multiplatform Editing
  • JOUR 469W - Magazine Journalism OR JOUR 471 - Investigative Reporting

Option 2 (nine credits)

  • JOUR 341- Video News Gathering and Field Production
  • MDIA 305 - TV News/Studio I
  • MDIA 367 - Radio Writing and Production

Media elective courses (six credits)

Outside Media Department

Department core (six credits)

  • MDIA 140 - Media Literacy
  • MDIA 465W - Media Ethics OR MDIA 473 - Media Law and Regulation

Multiplatform Journalism core (three credits)

  • JOUR 177 - Language for Journalists (zero credits)
  • JOUR 200W - Multiplatform Newsroom I (three credits)

Option 1 (six credits)

  • JOUR 300W - Multiplatform Newsroom II
  • JOUR 360W - Multiplatform Editing

Option 2 (six credits)

  • JOUR 341 - Video News Gathering and Field Production
  • MDIA 305 - TV News/Studio I

Media elective courses (three credits)

Requirements for a Minor in Digital Media Arts (18 Credits)

Within Media Department

Web concentration core (nine credits)

  • DMA 226 - Introduction to Web Design and Development
  • DMA 318 - Web Design
  • An additional Media course negotiated with a departmental mentor

Multimedia concentration core (nine credits)

  • DMA 333 - Photography I
  • JMA 402 - Visual Design and Layout
  • An additional Media course negotiated with a departmental mentor

Media elective courses (nine credits)

Outside Media Department

Nine credits

  • MDIA 140 - Media Literacy
  • MDIA 260 - New Media Production
  • MDIA 465W - Media Ethics OR MDIA 473 - Media Law and Regulation

Media elective courses (nine credits)

Requirements for a Minor in Strategic Public Relations and Advertising (18 Credits)

Within Media Department

PR/Ad core (12 credits)

  • ADPR 220 - Advertising in Strategic Media OR ADPR 243 - Public Relations in Strategic Media
  • ADPR 340W - Writing for Advertising and Copywriting (Suggested for Advertising Concentration) OR JOUR 200W - Multiplatform Newsroom I + JOUR 177 - Language for Journalists (0 credits; concurrent with JOUR 200W) (Suggested for PR Concentration)
  • ADPR 418W - Public Relations Campaigns OR ADPR 419 - Advertising Campaigns, Writing and Production
  • ADPR 467 - Media Research Methods

Media elective courses (six credits)

Outside Media Department

Department core (nine credits)

  • MDIA 140 - Media Literacy
  • MDIA 260 - New Media Production
  • MDIA 465W - Media Ethics OR MDIA 473 - Media Law and Regulation

PR/Ad core (nine credits)

  • ADPR 220 - Advertising in Strategic Media OR ADPR 243 - Public Relations in Strategic Media
  • ADPR 340W - Writing for Advertising and Copywriting (Suggested for Advertising Concentration) OR JOUR 200W - Multiplatform Newsroom I + JOUR 177 - Language for Journalists (0 credits; concurrent with JOUR 200W) (Suggested for PR Concentration)
  • ADPR 418W - Public Relations Campaigns OR ADPR 419 - Advertising Campaigns, Writing and Production

Requirements for a Minor in Sports Information and Media (18 Credits)

Important note for Media department majors wishing to minor in Sports Information and Media: Within the Duquesne Media department, only Digital Media Arts majors can minor in Sports Information and Media. Also within the Media department, Sports Information and Media majors can minor only in Digital Media Arts. No double-major or major-minor combinations are permitted between Sports Information and Media and Multiplatform Journalism or Strategic Public Relations and Advertising.

Within Media Department

  • JOUR 177 - Language for Journalists (0 credits; concurrent with JOUR 200W)
  • JOUR 200W - Multiplatform Newsroom I
  • ADPR 243 - Public Relations in Strategic Media
  • JOUR/SPTS 380 - Sports Reporting I: Sportscasting
  • JOUR/SPTS 381W - Sports Reporting II: Sportswriting
  • SPTS 434 - Media and Sports
  • SPTS 436 - Sports Media Practices

Outside Media Department

Department core (nine credits)

  • MDIA 140 - Media Literacy
  • MDIA 260 - New Media Production
  • MDIA 473 - Media Law and Regulation

Sports Information and Media core (nine credits)

  • JOUR 177 - Language for Journalists (0 credits; concurrent with JOUR 200W)
  • JOUR 200W - Multiplatform Newsroom I
  • SPTS 434 - Media and Sports
  • SPTS 436 - Sports Media Practices

Internship Opportunities and Practical Experience

Nearly all jobs require experience, and the internship program in the Media department is designed to provide students with a supervised observation/experience in areas such as advertising, public relations, social media, video production, marketing, web development, sports media, journalism and promotions/event planning. The department has numerous corporate and nonprofit sponsors in the Pittsburgh area and has placed students in internships from New York to Los Angeles.

In addition to the internship program, the department has significant on-campus organizations that provide excellent opportunities to gain practical experience and build a multiplatform portfolio.

Transfer Credits

No more than nine transfer credits can be applied to a Media department major.