Every time we swipe through the news, every time we click on a broadcast, every time we browse an advertisement, we are invariably influenced by the media. The media is not only a bridge for the dissemination of information, but also an important way of shaping the way we see the world. It has been said that the media is a mirror image that reflects and shapes the times and holds an important power to guide public opinion. Against this backdrop, more and more students are choosing to look at media studies as a major.
In today’s article, we will provide you with a detailed explanation of the media studies program and recommend the corresponding AP courses and credit courses for students and parents to refer to!
What is Media Studies?
Media studies is the science of the operation, impact and effective use of all types of communication media. It explores how information, ideas and opinions are conveyed to the general public through various modes of communication, including print, radio and television, film, the Internet or social media. Media studies covers a range of subfields including advertising, public relations, journalism, film and television studies, media policy and regulation.
Studying media studies allows you to learn how to effectively write and edit content, design and execute advertising and PR campaigns, research and apply new technologies, analyze media and cultural influences, and more. Professionals in this field are widely used in news organizations, advertising agencies, film studios, television stations, as well as in the marketing and public relations departments of large and small enterprises and institutions.
Specialized Branches
Media is one of the more popular majors in the U.S. undergraduate application force, in addition to the familiar radio, television, newspapers and other traditional media production direction, but also covers the new media operations, data analysis, brand communication and other emerging areas. There are many subdivided majors under media, let’s take a look together.
1) Journalism
Journalism is a discipline designed to study the principles, techniques, and practices of news reporting. It is an important branch of media studies that focuses on the writing, editing, and publishing of news, as well as the study of how to communicate information effectively.
Journalism programs typically include the study of news writing, news editing, news reporting, journalism ethics and regulations, and digital and multimedia news production. Students will take courses to master the basic theoretical and practical skills of news reporting, including how to interview, gather information, write stories, and update news.
Journalism opens the door to a rich professional life for students. Within the journalism industry, they can become reporters, editors, commentators, news photographers, and more. In addition, journalism graduates often find work in other industries such as public relations, advertising, marketing, and policy analysis.
Journalism not only develops students’ writing, editing, and communication skills, but also emphasizes the development of critical thinking and ethical guidelines. This enables journalism students to have the ability to think deeply and solve problems, which is extremely valuable in today’s society.
2) Communication Studies
Communication is a discipline that focuses on understanding and analyzing how information is transmitted among individuals, groups, and the general public. It studies topics such as face-to-face personal communication, communication between groups and organizations, and mass communication through a variety of media (e.g., news, advertisements, movies, the Internet, etc.).
Communication students take a wide range of courses to understand communication theory, communication technology, and how communication affects our communities, cultures, policies, and lives. Courses may include advertising, public relations, journalism, film and television, interpersonal communication, and communication research methods.
In this program, students will learn to use effective communication strategies and techniques to disseminate information and will be able to understand and analyze the impact of the media, the formation of public opinion, and ethical issues in the communication process.
Communication graduates can find employment in a variety of industries, including advertising, public relations, media, education, government, health care, non-profit organizations, and social services. They may hold positions as public relations specialists, marketing specialists, journalists, advertising personnel, media planners, in-house communications specialists, and more.
In summary, communication is a discipline that seeks to understand and use all forms of communication to shape our world, and it provides a solid foundation for effective communication in our increasingly globalized and digital world.
3) Advertising:
Advertising is a field that specializes in the study and practice of advertising creativity, strategy, production, distribution and evaluation. As an important branch of communication studies, it concentrates on the study of how to effectively communicate brand messages through different media channels (e.g., television, radio, newspapers, Internet, etc.) to promote the sale of products or services.
Students studying advertising will learn a range of knowledge and skills, including advertising principles, market analysis, consumer behavior, creative strategies, advertising design and production, advertising placement and effectiveness evaluation. In addition, courses in related fields such as public relations, psychology, sociology, and marketing are often incorporated into the advertising program curriculum.
Graduates of the advertising program have a wide range of career paths, and they can find work in a variety of types of organizations, including advertising agencies, media organizations, corporations, and non-profit organizations. Common positions include advertising creative, market researcher, advertising planner, advertising sales, public relations specialist, media planner, and brand manager.
Overall, the advertising profession focuses on the study and practice of how to influence public perceptions and behaviors through effective communication strategies to advance business goals. This field requires a combination of creative, strategic, analytical, and practical skills, and as the media environment changes and technology advances, the advertising profession continues to evolve and progress.
4) Film and Television Production:
Film and Television Production is a specialization in the techniques and art of film and television production. Students will learn and master a series of processes such as creative development, script writing, filming, editing, and post-production of film and television dramas through theoretical study and practical operation.
The curriculum of the Film and Television Production program is very rich, covering film history, film theory, camera techniques, lighting techniques, sound effects, animation production, audio and video editing, and script writing for film and television. Students will not only learn the basics of film and television art and technology, but also enhance their creative ability and artistic perception.
The main employment areas for film and television production students after graduation include the film and television industry, while their practical and innovative characteristics also enable them to make a difference in other fields such as advertising, public relations, new media, and so on. Usually, they can become directors, producers, screenwriters, cinematographers, editors, sound recorders, visual effects artists and many other roles.
As a whole, the program of Film and Television Production focuses on training students to strike a balance between theoretical learning and practical operation, in order to master various new concepts, techniques and methods of film and television production in constant development, and to lay a solid foundation for students to move towards the film and television industry.
5) Public Relations
The Public Relations (PR) major is a discipline that focuses on analyzing, understanding, and developing effective communication strategies between organizations and their publics. The major concentrates on how to build and maintain mutual understanding and good relations between organizations and their key publics by planning and implementing public relations campaigns.
In the public relations major, students will learn a range of knowledge and skills, including basic theories of public relations, principles of public opinion, crisis communication strategies, writing press releases and other public relations materials, planning and executing public relations campaigns, the use of new media in public relations, and public relations ethics.
In addition, public relations programs often include studies in communication, marketing, advertising, media law, sociology, psychology and other related fields to help students fully understand and apply public relations knowledge and skills.
Graduates of public relations programs can find employment in a wide variety of organizations, including public relations consulting firms, corporations, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and media outlets. They can work as PR consultants, PR managers, media relations specialists, brand managers, marketers, event planners, and more.
Overall, the public relations major aims to prepare students to be able to properly manage communication between an organization and its publics in order to facilitate interaction and understanding between the two parties to further the goals of the organization.
Recommended Schools for Media Studies
- Columbia University:
The Columbia Journalism School at Columbia Dike offers a range of programs on journalism, media and communication, including areas such as news writing, reporting, research methods, media ethics and more. Students at the school can earn a master’s degree in journalism (MS in Journalism) or a doctoral degree in journalism (PhD in Communications), or they can choose to specialize in programs in data journalism, investigative journalism, and more.
Second, Columbia’s College of Arts and Sciences and College of Engineering also offer programs in digital media, data science, and multimedia arts, which are technologically oriented and emphasize the convergence of broadcast and online media in the digital age.
Furthermore, Columbia’s School of the Arts, Film Program offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in film production, including directing and screenwriting.
In addition, Columbia University’s School of the Social Sciences has a Master’s program in Communications (Master’s in Communications), which focuses on theory and research and provides an in-depth study of communications.
- Northwestern University:
Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism is one of the top journalism and media schools in the world, offering a wide range of media-related programs and research.
At the undergraduate level, the Medill School offers a Bachelor of Science in Journalism (BSJ) degree, where students learn knowledge and skills in a variety of areas, including news writing, media innovation, media law, journalism ethics, and more.
At the graduate level, Medill College offers two master’s programs, the Master of Science in Journalism and the MS in Media Innovation and Technology. The Master of Science in Journalism program includes specialized courses in a variety of areas, including full-media reporting, radio and television reporting, magazine reporting, interactive journalism, sports reporting and more, while the MS in Media Innovation and Technology program focuses on the use of new technological tools to innovate media products and services.
In addition, Medill College has a doctoral program (PhD in Communication) and a master’s program in Mass Communication (Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications), which offer research and education in the areas of communication theory, communication research, strategic communication, brand management, and digital marketing.
- University of Southern California:
The University of Southern California, or USC for short, is primarily responsible for education in the field of media through the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and the School of Cinematic Arts.
The Annenberg School: offers two undergraduate majors in journalism and public relations, and several master’s programs at the graduate level in journalism (including professional, research and investigative journalism tracks), strategic public relations and management. In addition, the school has a Ph.D. program in communication, which provides students with the opportunity to conduct in-depth research in the field of communication.
School of Cinematic Arts: Widely regarded as the top film school in the world, the School of Cinematic Arts offers a number of undergraduate and graduate programs in film and television production, interactive media and game development, animation and digital arts, and writing. It also offers a rich curriculum that covers almost all aspects of the film industry, from scriptwriting and directing techniques to film marketing and distribution.
Future Career Directions
As a major, media studies requires not only an understanding of how various types of media work, but also cross-disciplinary skills such as writing, editing, reporting, photography, and social media management. As digital media continues to evolve, career paths in this field have expanded accordingly. Here are some possible career paths:
- Journalist or Editor:Journalists are responsible for gathering news, interviewing relevant people, and writing news stories, while editors are responsible for proofreading, revising, and deciding when and where to publish news.
- PR Specialist:Responsible for shaping and protecting the public image of a company or organization, including organizing and planning events, writing press releases or interacting with the public through social media.
- Social Media Manager:Responsible for maintaining and managing the company’s or organization’s social media platforms, posting content, interacting with comments, analyzing data, and developing social media strategies.
- Brand Manager:Responsible for managing the company’s brand image, including developing and executing brand strategies, monitoring market trends, analyzing competitors, and developing new market opportunities.
- Advertising/Marketing Specialist:Responsible for planning and implementing advertising campaigns, including the entire process from researching the market and identifying target customers to designing ad copy and evaluating campaign effectiveness.
- Production Manager or Production Assistant:Participate in the production of film and television dramas, documentaries, music videos, etc., responsible for budget management, scheduling interludes and post-production.
- Data analyst: Utilizing big data and analytical tools to determine what content will attract more viewers, predict market trends, and evaluate the effectiveness of media campaigns.
These are some of the possible career paths. The media industry will become more diverse in the future, with new jobs and career paths constantly emerging. So, for media studies majors, staying on top of and learning about new technologies and trends will help them in their careers.
Recommended AP Courses
In order to apply for a future media studies major at a top U.S. university, it is crucial to prepare in advance and choose the right AP courses. Below are a few AP courses that may help you with your future applications to media studies programs.
AP English Language and Composition
Whether it’s journalism, broadcasting or cinematography, the field of media is always associated with good text comprehension and analysis. This AP course will strengthen your writing, reading comprehension, and critical thinking skills.
AP Psychology:
Media professionals need to understand their audiences in order to make optimal choices in communicating and delivering content. Psychology helps to understand human behavior and ways of thinking, which will help broaden your perspective.
AP U.S. History:
Understanding U.S. history is important for future study in the U.S. media field.
AP Computer Science Principles or AP Computer Science A:
We now live in a digital world and learning about computers is essential. Not only will it help you understand and analyze information, but it will also allow you to become proficient in using and developing new media tools.
AP 2D Art and Design:
For students who want to gain an understanding of photojournalism, filmmaking, or advertising design, the 2D Art and Design course provides an in-depth understanding of visual elements and analysis.
SMOA High School Program Highlights
In the U.S. high school education system, each school matches or recommends Online School Courses, a practice designed to help students raise their GPAs and meet the credits required for graduation, as well as to offer courses that are not offered by the school but that students need to take. With a history dating back nearly 50 years, it has gained widespread acceptance as a popular form of educational learning in the United States.
St. Mary’s Online Academy (SMOA) is the online high school of St. Mary’s High School, a century-old school and one of Niche’s top 100 boarding schools in the U.S. St. Mary’s Online Academy (SMOA) offers pure U.S. high school credit courses, AP credit courses, and U.S. High School Diploma courses. Students can enjoy pure US high school personalized education and improve their GPA scores and academic backgrounds without leaving their homes in the Asian time zone.
Our diplomas, credits, and transcripts are accredited by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) Cognia (AdvancED), the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the Association of American Boarding Schools (TABS), and the Western Boarding Schools Association (WBSA). AP courses are accredited by the College Board and the UC A-G Curriculum, and credits, transcripts, and diplomas are recognized by universities in the U.S. and around the world. Students who have earned online U.S. high school diplomas, credits and transcripts have been accepted into world-renowned universities and art colleges in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia.
It is an opportunity for students from domestic general high schools, public international departments, international schools and overseas high schools to both supplement their credits and improve their GPA. Students from domestic general high schools and international students can also participate in the American High School Diploma Program that we offer and apply to world universities with American High School status.
Advantages of SMOA
1-From the top 100 boarding high schools in the U.S.
St. Mary’s School, renowned for exceptional quality of education.
2-Elite teachers ensure teaching quality
Pure U.S. high school education, acknowledged globally.
3-Cognia authoritative certification
Highly recognized by universities for credits, transcripts and recommendation letters.
4-500+ graduates enter the world’s most prestigious schools
High credibility and reputation
5-Comprehensive and rigorous grading
Process assessment, focus on final results
6-Effective in raising GPA
4.33 out of 5.0 for regular, 5.0 out of 5.0 for AP
7-Rich course selection, 20+ AP courses
Year-round rolling classes, multiple class types, customizable
8-Have our own mainland AP test center
No need to travel to Hong Kong or abroad for AP exam
9-Real-time classes in Asian time zones + asynchronous classes
Flexible and efficient learning
10-Professional learning platform and teaching system
Bilingual Learning Coach 7*24 Supervision
SMOA – Online U.S. High School 2024 is open for enrollment on a rolling basis (includes AP Calculus BC, AP Computer Science A, AP Psychology, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP Physics 1, AP Statistics, AP English Literature & Composition, AP Physics 2, Linear Algebra, Probability and Statistics, Earth and Space Science, Algebra, Fashion Design, Interior Design, and more), students can enroll at a time that works for them, or they can also choose one-on-one classes for more flexibility! We look forward to welcoming you~!