The Department of Communication, Media & Theatre offers minors in its five concentration areas – Broadcast & Digital Journalism, Communication & Media Studies, Print & Digital Journalism, Public Relations, and Theatre. Students may choose more than one concentration minor. The required hours and specific course requirements vary for each concentration minor.
CO Minor Intent Form
Students majoring in a different department interested in pursuing a communication minor in one or more of its five concentration areas should complete a communication minor intent form. Students must declare their intent to complete the requirements for a minor before their declaration to graduate. Once you complete this form and verify your email address, the completed form will be automatically sent to the department’s advisor. Please note: MSU does not currently have a process for adding a minor in Banner or Degree Works. The information on this form is for college and departmental tracking of minors.
Students majoring in Communication may choose additional areas other than their concentration(s) in the department as unofficial minors. Since completing a communication minor as a communication student is done so in an unofficial capacity, a minor intention form does not need to be completed.
General Information
- A minimum grade of “C” is required in all courses in the minor(s).
- All necessary prerequisites must be completed prior to enrolling in the course and cannot be taken concurrently. Prerequisites are listed in the MSU Undergraduate Catalog.
- Substitutions are typically not allowed. The department head or the appropriate departmental committee must approve any substitutions in advance.
- Advising is not required for students pursuing a minor. It is up to the student to take the correct classes and ensure all necessary minor requirements are met.
- Any questions about the minor or classes should be directed to the department’s advisor at advising@comm.msstate.edu or (662) 325-3779.
Available Minors
Broadcast & Digital Journalism (18 Hours)
The required BDJ minor courses have strict prerequisites, meaning certain BDJ classes must be taken in a specific order. The BDJ minor program takes at least three semesters/terms to complete. Please see the prerequisite course requirements listed below and in the MSU Undergraduate Catalog.
Semester 1:
CO 1403 Intro. to Mass Media
CO 2413 Intro to News Writing and Reporting (Prerequisite: C or Higher in EN 1113 or EN 1173 & Must pass GSP Exam with a 70% or higher)
Semester 2:
CO 2333 TV Production (Prerequisite: CO 1403)
CO 3313 Writing for the Electronic Media (Prerequisite: CO 2413)
Semester 3:
CO 3333 Advanced TV Production (Prerequisite: CO 2333)
CO 4313 Mass Media Law or CO 4323 Mass Media Society (Prerequisite: Junior Standing)
Communication & Media Studies (21 Hours)
Please note the prerequisites for CMST classes when pursuing a CMST minor. The CMST program takes about two to three semesters/terms to complete. The prerequisite course requirements for each class are listed in the MSU Undergraduate Catalog.
CMST Required Core:
CO 1223 Intro. to Communication Theory
CO 1403 Intro to Mass Media
CMST Method and Theory Area (6 Hours Required):
CO 3223 Communication & Media Research Methods
CO 3233 Communication & Media Ethics
CO 4223 Adv. Comm Theory
CO 4243 Rhetorical Theory
CO 4253 Elements of Persuasion
CO 4924 Film Theory
CMST Context Area (9 Hours Required):
CO 2904 Intro to Film
CO 2253 Fund. of Interpersonal Comm
CO 3213 Small Group Comm
CO 3243 Advanced Public Speaking
CO 3903 Adv. Cinema Studies
CO 4043 Comm & Leadership
CO 4064 Family Communication
CO 4124 Topics in Film
CO 4203 Nonverbal Comm
CO 4213 Political Comm
CO 4233 Gender & Media
CO 4273 Intercultural Comm
CO 4283 Health Comm
CO 4313 Mass Media Law
CO 4323 Mass Media & Society
CO 4263 Gender Comm
Print & Digital Journalism (18 Hours)
The required PDJ minor courses have strict prerequisites, meaning certain classes must be taken in a specific order. The PDJ program takes at least three semesters/terms to complete. Please see the prerequisite course requirements listed below and in the MSU Undergraduate Catalog.
Semester 1:
CO 1403 Intro. to Mass Media
CO 2413 Intro to News Writing and Reporting (Prerequisite: C or Higher in EN 1113 or EN 1173 & Must pass GSP Exam with a 70% or higher)
Semesters 2-3:
CO 3423 Feature Writing (Prerequisite: CO 2413)
CO 3433 Editing and Design (Prerequisite: CO 2413) (only taught in the spring)
CO 3443 Advanced News Writing and Reporting (Prerequisite: CO 2413) (only taught in the fall)
CO 4403 Journalism Ethics (Prerequisite: Junior Standing)
Public Relations (21 Hours)
Semester 1:
CO 2413 Intro to News Writing and Reporting (Prerequisite: C or Higher in EN 1113 or EN 1173 & Must pass GSP Exam with a 70% or higher)
CO 3803 Principles of Public Relations
Semester 2:
CO 3813 Case Problems (Prerequisite: CO 3803)
CO 3853 Public Relations Writing (Prerequisites: CO 2413 & CO 3803)
Semester 3:
CO 3863 PR Production (Prerequisites: CO 2413 & CO 3803)
CO 4803 Research in PR (Prerequisites: CO 3813 & CO 3853)
Semester 4:
CO 4813 PR in Organizations (Prerequisites: CO 3863 & CO 4803)
Theatre (20 Hours)
Please note the prerequisites for THEA classes when pursuing a THEA minor. The THEA program takes about two to three semesters/terms to complete. The prerequisite course requirements for each class are listed in the MSU Undergraduate Catalog.
THEA Required Core:
CO 1503 Intro to Theatre
CO 2503 Acting or CO 2523 Introduction to Stagecraft
Applied THEA Practice (3 Hours Required):
CO 1542 Technical Theatre Practicum
CO 2512 Introduction to Theatrical Design
CO 2531 Voice and Articulation
CO 2551 Sound for the Stage and Screen
CO 2561 Makeup for the Stage
CO 3541 Theater Performance Practicum
Intermediate THEA Technical Skills (Select One):
CO 3502 Costume Design
CO 3512 Scenic Design
CO 3522 Lighting for the Stage and Screen
CO 3532 Theatre for Change
CO 3552 Professional Practice for Theatre
THEA Analysis & Historical Foundations (Select One):
CO 3573 Script Analysis
CO 3583 Theatre for Young Audiences
CO 3693 Drawing for the Theatre
CO 4503 History of Theatre 1: Classical
CO 4513 History of Theatre 2: Contemporary
Advanced THEA Production (6 Hours Required):
CO 4523 Directing
CO 4533 Advanced Acting
CO 4563 Stage and Production