Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communications & Media Technologies
- San Francisco, USA
- Online
BA
DURATION
8 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 1,463 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning, On-Campus
* per unit for international students / USD 1,239 per unit for domestic students
Key Summary
About : The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communications & Media Technologies offers students a deep exploration of contemporary communication practices and media technologies. This program covers a range of subjects, equipping students with essential skills in digital media, broadcasting, and communication theory. It prepares graduates for a rapidly changing media landscape, emphasizing both theoretical and practical knowledge.
Career Outcomes : Graduates can pursue various career paths including roles in broadcasting, digital marketing, public relations, and content creation. Opportunities may arise in industries such as media production, advertising, and corporate communications, allowing students to engage actively in the evolving field of communication.
The School of Communications & Media Technologies BA program provides a dynamic education of essential modern media skills including foundations in storytelling, broadcasting, journalism, and mobile platforms. Under the guidance of industry experts, students learn to shoot, edit, write, and host their own productions, and use the latest technologies to stream and broadcast them.
Unit Requirements
| Major Coursework | Units |
|---|---|
| Major | 15 |
| Liberal Arts | 42 |
| Major Elective | 18 |
| Elective | 9 |
| Core | 36 |
| Total | 120 |
Degree Requirements
BA Communications & Media Technologies Degree Requirements
- A minimum grade of C- in all core courses, major courses, and LA 107 Writing for the Multilingual Artist or 108 Composition for the Artist
- Minimum 2.0 GPA and the following general education requirements:
- 1 Written Communication: Composition
- 1 Written Communication: Critical Thinking
- 1 Written Communication: Context & Style
- 1 Historical Awareness
- 1 Quantitative Literacy
- 1 Cultural Ideas & Influences
- 1 Employment Communications & Practices
After the above general education requirements are met, take Liberal Arts electives as needed to fulfill the Liberal Arts unit requirement.
Undergraduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:
Production Skills and Technical Knowledge
- Produce broadcast-ready video and audio content (including recording on location and in the studio, editing, and creating basic media graphics)
- Generate interactive content for websites, social media, and mobile devices
- Format and distribute content across all major media platforms
Conceptual Thinking
- Identify, gather, assess, record, and research relevant information for a story
- Formulate precise questions, consider diverse points of view, and research opportunities as part of the interview and investigation process
- Discuss and analyze media trends
- Develop unique, original story ideas
Written and Oral Communication
- Develop scripts, features, articles, and other written content for media coverage in various platforms
- Perform professionally, including hosting and reporting on camera and microphone, or direct on-air talent to do the same
- Communicate concepts and ideas for a media project using industry terminology, both verbally and in writing
Visual Communication
- Rapidly visualize story ideas in the pre-production and production stage
- Apply basic design principles to various types of video, print, and interactive media
Professional Readiness
- Produce a professional reel to acquire a job within the media industry or corporate environment
- Meet deadlines and submit work according to professional presentation standards
- Produce content demonstrating specialized knowledge in a specific area of the media, such as art, design, news, entertainment, fashion, or sports
- Identify strengths and tailor portfolio to showcase them
Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:
- Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
- Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
- Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
- Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
- Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
- Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
- Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.
Semester 1
- COM 102: Visual Storytelling: Editing Fundamentals for Short-Form Video Content
- COM 103: You Media: Short Form Production 1
- COM 104: Multimedia Communications: On-Camera Performance
- COM 141: Storytelling: From Telephone to Transmedia
Semester 2
- COM 105: Writing for Multimedia
- COM 150: Introduction to Radio/Podcasting
- COM 230: Motion Graphics for Digital Media
- LA 108: Composition for the Artist
- LA 125: The Creative Process
- LA 280: Perspective Journalism
Semester 3
- COM 115: Digital Tools for Creative Professionals
- COM 200: Multiplatform Content Creation
- COM 210: Multiplatform Content Live
- LA 291: Designing Careers
Semester 4
- COM 202: Social Media Production & Branding
- COM 204: From Host to Star: New Careers on Camera
- LA 104: Respect for Acting
- LA 133: Short-Form Writing
- LA 233: Popular Topics in Health, Nutrition, & Physiology
- MPT 135: Virtual Reality/360 Production: The New Frontier
Semester 5
- COM 106: Sports & Media
- COM 208: Dynamic Aerial Imagery
- COM 302: Producing Live Media
- LA 209: Gender, Race, & Class in Media
Semester 6
- COM 106: Sports & Media
- COM 206: Play By Play & Live Field Reporting
- COM 340: Multiplatform Design for Communications
- LA 131: History of Gaming
- LA 359: Urban Sociology
- MPT 235: Virtual Reality/360 Production & Post-Production
Semester 7
- COM 400: In-Depth Project: The Game Show
- COM 498: Collaborative Project: Branded Content
- LA 212: The History of African American Athletes in the Media
- LA 268: Spanish 1: Basic Grammar & Speech
Semester 8
- ADV 498:
- COM 351: Media Station Management
- COM 495: Your Media Portfolio: The Resume and Beyond
- COM 500: Internship in Communications and Media Technologies
- LA 273: Spanish 2: Conversational Spanish
- LA 462: Power of Myth and Symbol