Mass Communication

Earn a degree that moves you forward.

Effective communication is major to success. No matter the career path.

We empower students with the experiences needed to gain thriving careers. Our graduates are equipped with the skills to be leaders in communications industries. They begin making real differences in their communities immediately upon graduation. University of Central Oklahoma alumni are in newsrooms, public relations and advertising agencies and photo studios across Oklahoma. They are leaders throughout their careers. 

Today’s communicators must adapt to evolving technologies and new social media.

Our hands-on approach to learning creates qualified graduates. Our programs focus on clear communication, effective writing and critical thinking. Creativity, community service, ethical actions and trailblazing leadership are valued.

Students benefit from the wide range of expertise from our faculty. We are passionate about our mission—to help students learn. We encourage our students to take advantage of the diverse opportunities available through our student-run media, student clubs, internships, guest speakers and travel abroad study tours.

Degrees and Programs UCentral Student Media

Put Your Mass Comm Degree to Work

UCO Mass Communication graduates are prepared for jobs in these areas.

Interpersonal Communication

Ministry, Counseling, Social Services, Healthcare Management, Training And Development, Human Resources, Mediation and Nonprofit Administration

Photographic Arts

Event Photographer, Photojournalist, Studio Photographer, Forensics Photographer, Corporate Photographer and Freelance Work

Professional Media

Anchor, Digital Media Director, Film/Television Producer, Journalist, News Reporter, Sports Reporter and Radio On-Air Personality 

Strategic Communications

All Advertising and Public Relations Jobs, Event Coordinator, Marketing Manager, Media Buyer, Social Media Coordinator and Project Manager

Community Partnerships

The Department of Mass Communication faculty and students partner with:

• The Oklahoma Broadcast Educational Association (OBEA);
• The Oklahoma Associations of Broadcasters (OAB);
• The Oklahoma Press Association (OPA); and,
• The Broadcast Education Association (BEA).

These connections support our students through job fairs, scholarships, conferences, competitions, fellowships and research projects.

Our students find internships and employment from dozens of television networks, radio stations, advertisement agencies and nonprofit organizations. Learn more about internship requirements.

The department also works with Oklahoma Secondary Schools Athletic Association (OSSAA) on production services for High School Championships at UCO and with COX Communications to produce political affairs programming.

Office Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday, by appointment only

Appointments for meetings (virtual and in person) with Mass Communication personnel can be made by calling 405-974-5303 or emailing mcom@uco.edu. 

Department of Mass Communication News

Student Learning Outcomes

The following lists of Student Learning Outcomes highlight the key knowledge, values and skills that students will gain from the program and provides a clear framework for success. By focusing on the student and their ability to demonstrate specific behaviors, this framework ensures that the program is meeting its goals and making progress towards continuous improvement.

B.A. in strategic communications graduates will be able to:

• Understand and use appropriate industry categories and structure for campaign development and utilize the terminology and vocabulary of the industry;
• Develop strategic plans to meet client task and objectives in an image appropriate creative response that evidences an understanding of client brand identity and positioning;
• Evidence ability to utilize appropriate communications tools, events, sponsorships, partnerships, engagement, budget, media and metrics to validate campaign success;
• Organize, write and present campaign plans books and presentation decks; and,
• Evidence understanding of the elevated roles of planning and shows understanding of valid use of digital interactive and engagement methods of consumer engagement.

B.A.. in photographic arts graduates will be able to:

• Apply the techniques and aesthetics of contemporary photographic styles to their work;
• Present a portfolio of original photographic work in a public forum;
• Demonstrate awareness of global and cultural photographic standards and practices; and,
• Engage in self-exploration and self-criticism during the image-making process. 

B.A.. in professional media graduates will be able to:

• Understand advanced scholarship in field of professional media;
• Produce a portfolio demonstrating ability to execute work in the field of pro-media; and,
• Demonstrate advanced technological professional media skills including areas such as videography, video editing and audio work. 

B.A.. in interpersonal communication graduates will be able to:

• Discuss the relationship between theory and research methods in the study of communication;
• Assess the ethical choices of researchers in conducting and presenting research;
• Design and conduct a content analysis;
• Work effectively as a member of a team to conduct a research study; and,
• Present original scholarly work in a professional seminar/conference style.

B.A.. in organizational communication graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate their ability to recommend solutions to organizational problems from research on specialized areas in organizational communication;
• Adapt written, visual and spoken messages to meet ethical and pragmatic standards in organizational contexts;
• Create training and educational programs that meet measurable organizational needs; and,
• Enact competent communication when managing conflicts in organizational settings.