Harrisonburg, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
USD 6,434 / per semester *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* in-state tuition fee | $15,076: out-of-state tuition fee. Additional fees may apply
Key Summary
Introduction
JMU School of Media Arts and Design graduates tell the best stories.
We prepare students to serve as creative, reflective and highly skilled media producers and storytellers, sensitive to the personal and social impact of the messages they create and to the important role media can play in advancing the public interest.
Graduates of the School of Media Arts and Design work in media or in media-related careers. Program concentrations allow students to pursue interests in journalism, digital video and cinema, creative advertising or interactive design. The major also prepares students for graduate study in mass communication, journalism, advertising, visual communication or digital production. SMAD’s 39-credit-hour requirement allows students to pursue minors and second majors, to strengthen their knowledge about the types of stories they want to tell.
School of Media Arts and Design offers a program of study that prepares students for careers that rely on mass media. Program areas of concentration allow students to pursue interests in journalism (print, broadcast, and online), television and video production, corporate communications or converged media (print, video & web production). The major also prepares students for advanced graduate school study in the fields of mass communication and related areas such as journalism, corporate communication, visual communication or digital production.
Gallery
Program Outcome
Graduating SMAD students will:
- communicate a message via a well-researched, targeted story appropriate for the audience and medium.
- compose written products characteristic of entry-level media arts and design professionals.
- apply ethical decision-making to the media production process.
- integrate prior learning in order to analyze, plan, create, evaluate and revise a capstone-level creative product.
- exhibit professional collaboration skills in the media creation process.
- produce and disseminate media while exercising current legal rights and responsibilities.
Admissions
Curriculum
A student must complete a minimum of 39 SMAD credits. In addition to courses in the School of Media Arts and Design, students must complete at least 75 non-SMAD credits.
Required Courses
- General Education 41 Credit Hours 1
- Foreign Language classes (intermediate level required) 0-14 Credit Hours 2
- Philosophy course (in addition to General Education courses) 3 Credit Hours
- University electives 23-37 Credit Hours
- Major requirements (listed below) 39 Credit Hours
Footnotes
1 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.
2 The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate level of the student’s chosen language (typically 232) or by placing out of that language through the Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures’ placement test.
Major Requirements
Core Requirements: 15 Credit Hours
- SMAD 101. Introduction to Media Arts and Design Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 201. Foundations of Visual Communication Design Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 202. Foundations of Audio-Visual Storytelling Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 203. Foundations of User Experience Design Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 301. The Media Arts: Culture By Design Credits: 3.00 1
- or
- SMAD 301L. The Media Arts: Culture By Design Credits: 3.00 1
- SMAD 400. Senior Assessment in Media Arts and Design Credits: 0.00
- Concentration (courses listed below): 24 Credit Hours
Footnote
1 Students may receive SMAD credit for either SMAD 301 or SMAD 301L, but not both.
Creative Advertising Concentration
Course Requirements
- SMAD Core Requirements 15 Credit Hours
- SMAD 242. Introduction to Advertising and New Media Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 252. Copywriting for Advertising Credits: 3.00 1
- SMAD 342. Elements of Creative Advertising Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 443. Creative Advertising Campaigns Credits: 3.00
Choose one of the following: 3 Credit Hours
- SMAD 330. New Media Law Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 370. Mass Communication Law Credits: 3.00
Choose one of the following Applied Skills courses: 3 Credit Hours
- SMAD 210. News Reporting and Writing Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 220. Copy Editing Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 225. Photojournalism Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 305. Special Topics in Media Production Credits: 3.00 2
- SMAD 307. Interactive Design Web I Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 315. Digital Social Media Advertising Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 327. User-Centered Research and Usability Evaluation Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 332. Visual Communication Design Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 422. Multimedia Journalism Credits: 3.00
Choose two of the following Critical Analysis courses: 6 Credit Hours
- SMAD 360L. British Media and Society Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 372. Media History Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 373. Media Analysis and Criticism Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 398. Critical Studies in Media Arts and Design Credits: 3.00 2
- SMAD 470. New Media and Society Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 472. Media and Politics Credits: 3.00 3
or - SMAD 472L. Media and Politics Credits: 3.00 3
- SMAD 498. Senior Seminar in Media Arts and Design Credits: 3.00
Footnotes
1 This course fulfills the College of Arts and Letters writing-intensive requirement for the major.
2 These courses satisfy concentration requirements when the topic is appropriate.
3 Students may receive SMAD credit for either SMAD 301 or SMAD 301L, SMAD 472 or SMAD 472L, but not both.
Digital Video and Cinema Concentration
Course Requirements
- SMAD Core Requirements 15 Credit Hours
- SMAD 302. Video Production Credits: 3.00
Choose one of the following: 3 Credit Hours
- SMAD 250. Scriptwriting Credits: 3.00 1
- SMAD 251. Screenplay Writing Credits: 3.00 1
Choose one of the following: 3 Credit Hours
- SMAD 330. New Media Law Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 370. Mass Communication Law Credits: 3.00
Choose one of the following: 3 Credit Hours
- SMAD 407. Business and Management of Digital Media Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 410. The Creative Producer Credits: 3.00
Choose two of the following Applied Skills courses: 6 Credit Hours
- SMAD 303. Post Production Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 304. Audio Production Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 305. Special Topics in Media Production Credits: 3.00 2
- SMAD 306. Studio Production Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 340. Advanced Screenplay Writing Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 402. Motion Graphic Design and Production Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 403. Documentary Production Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 405. Producing and Directing Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 462. Documentary in Film & Television Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 463. Film Adaptations Credits: 3.00 3
or - SMAD 463L. Film Adaptations Credits: 3.00 3
Choose two of the following Critical Analysis courses: 6 Credit Hours
- SMAD 360L. British Media and Society Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 371. Narrative Media Studies Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 373. Media Analysis and Criticism Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 380. Introduction to Film Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 398. Critical Studies in Media Arts and Design Credits: 3.00 2
- SMAD 460. Film and Society Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 461. Film as Art Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 462. Documentary in Film & Television Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 463. Film Adaptations Credits: 3.00 3
or - SMAD 463L. Film Adaptations Credits: 3.00 3
- SMAD 464. Contemporary American Film Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 470. New Media and Society Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 498. Senior Seminar in Media Arts and Design Credits: 3.00
Footnotes
1 This course fulfills the College of Arts and Letters writing-intensive requirement for the major.
2 These courses satisfy concentration requirements when the topic is appropriate.
3 Students may receive SMAD credit for either SMAD 463 or SMAD 463L, but not both.
Interactive Design Concentration
Course Requirements
- SMAD Core Requirements Credits / Units: 15.00
- SMAD 307. Interactive Design Web I Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 317. User Interaction Design Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 330. New Media Law Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 417. Business and Management of Interactive Design Credits: 3.00
Choose one Intermediate Applied Skills courses: 3 Credit Hours
- SMAD 305. Special Topics in Media Production Credits: 3.00 2
- SMAD 308. Interactive Design II Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 315. Digital Social Media Advertising Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 327. User-Centered Research and Usability Evaluation Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 332. Visual Communication Design Credits: 3.00
Choose one Advanced Applied Skills courses: 3 Credit Hours
- SMAD 404. Advanced Interactive Design Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 408. Converged Media Lab Credits: 3.00
Choose two Critical Analysis courses: 6 Credit Hours
- SMAD 360L. British Media and Society Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 372. Media History Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 373. Media Analysis and Criticism Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 398. Critical Studies in Media Arts and Design Credits: 3.00 2
- SMAD 470. New Media and Society Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 471. Media Ethics Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 472. Media and Politics Credits: 3.00 3
or - SMAD 472L. Media and Politics Credits: 3.00 3
- SMAD 498. Senior Seminar in Media Arts and Design Credits: 3.00
Footnotes
1 This course fulfills the College of Arts and Letters writing-intensive requirement for the major.
2 These courses satisfy concentration requirements when the topic is appropriate.
3 Students may receive SMAD credit for either SMAD 472 or SMAD 472L, but not both.
Journalism Concentration
Course Requirements
- SMAD Core Requirements 15 Credit Hours
- SMAD 210. News Reporting and Writing Credits: 3.00 1
- SMAD 309. Video Journalism Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 310. Advanced Reporting and Writing Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 370. Mass Communication Law Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 471. Media Ethics Credits: 3.00
Choose one Intermediate Applied Skills courses: 3 Credit Hours
- SMAD 220. Copy Editing Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 225. Photojournalism Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 305. Special Topics in Media Production Credits: 3.00 2
- SMAD 307. Interactive Design Web I Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 315. Digital Social Media Advertising Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 327. User-Centered Research and Usability Evaluation Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 332. Visual Communication Design Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 403. Documentary Production Credits: 3.00
Choose one Advanced Applied Skills courses: 3 Credit Hours
- SMAD 409. Electronic News Producing and Editing Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 421. Feature Magazine Production Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 422. Multimedia Journalism Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 497. Advanced Projects in Media Arts and Design Credits: 3.00 (when the topic is appropriate)
Choose one Critical Analysis course: 3 Credit Hours
- SMAD 360L. British Media and Society Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 372. Media History Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 373. Media Analysis and Criticism Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 398. Critical Studies in Media Arts and Design Credits: 3.00 2
- SMAD 462. Documentary in Film & Television Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 470. New Media and Society Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 471. Media Ethics Credits: 3.00
- SMAD 472. Media and Politics Credits: 3.00 3
or - SMAD 472L. Media and Politics Credits: 3.00 3
- SMAD 498. Senior Seminar in Media Arts and Design Credits: 3.00
Footnotes
1 This course fulfills the College of Arts and Letters writing-intensive requirement for the major.
2 These courses satisfy concentration requirements when the topic is appropriate.
3 Students may receive SMAD credit for either SMAD 472 or SMAD 472L, but not both.
Career Opportunities
A successful career and a meaningful life is what it’s all about. Whether it’s an internship, a great first job or a top graduate school appointment, JMU Dukes make their dreams ignite. You will, too.
Here are current openings available to JMU students.
Jobs for JMU Students
Film
- Film & Video Specialist at Trail's End Camp
- Manufacturing Technology Engineering Associate at DuPont
- Production/Process Engineer at IPG Photonics
- Epitaxial Engineer at IPG Photonics
- Motion Designer (3D Animation) at Planit Advertising, Inc.
- Materials Engineer (Location: China) at Midea
- Sr Reliability Engineer at Honeywell
- Medical Scientific Photographer at Global Solutions Network, Inc.
- MRI Tech at Texas Health Resources
- Process Integration Engineer at TSMC Arizona
- Equipment Engineer, DIF at TSMC Arizona
- Equipment Engineer – WET at TSMC Arizona
- Equipment Engineer - Epitaxy at TSMC Arizona
- Equipment Engineer, CMP at TSMC Arizona
- Process Engineer, LIT at TSMC Arizona
- CNC Machinist - Spokane, WA - Relocation Assistance Provided at Honeywell
- CT Technologist - Duke University Hospital - Durham at Duke University Health System
- Computing Platform Development Engineer at KLA Corporation
- Process Engineer, PVD at TSMC Arizona
Creative Advertising
- Technical Analyst with STEM PhD - Full Performance at National Reconnaissance Office
- ISS Robotics Software Integration Systems Engineer at Jacobs
- Lunar Terrain Vehicle Systems Engineer at Jacobs
- Marketing Content Coordinator at Hunter Hotel Advisors
- Structural Design Engineer - Albany, NY at JMT
- Structural Design Engineer - Syracuse, NY at JMT
- Highways Design Engineer - Albany, NU at JMT
- Highways Design Engineer - Syracuse, NY at JMT
- Social Media Content Creator at Planit Advertising, Inc.
- Copywriter II - Scottsdale at BASIS Charter Schools
- Water Resources Design Engineer - Hunt Valley, MD at JMT
- Creative Services Writer/Producer/Editor at NewsWest 9
- Account Executive at TEGNA
- Digital Marketing Specialist at Modine Manufacturing Company
- Undergrad Marketing Assistant 2023 at E. & J. Gallo Winery
- Communications Specialist at The North Carolina Justice Center
- Jr. Copy Project Manager at WebFX
- Web Designer {Top 5 Employer in PA} at WebFX
- Jr. Web Designer {Top 5 Employer in PA} at WebFX
Journalism
- Accounts Receivable Manager at PBS Distribution
- Postdoctoral Fellows at Houston Methodist
- SRNL Statistician - Advanced Modeling and Simulation at Savannah River National Laboratory
- SRNL Senior Fellow Electrical Development Engineer at Savannah River National Laboratory
- Social Media Specialist at Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
- Cyber Security Operational Associate Analyst at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Postdoctoral Appointee - Computer Science Research Institute at Sandia National Laboratories
- Audit Associate - October 2023/January 2024 at Aronson
- News Writer/Producer at WTTG/WDCA Fox 5 Washington DC
- Client Delivery Consulting Associate - Summer 2023 at RSM US LLP
- (#R25907) IDD Habilitation Specialist / Clear Creek ICF at RHA Health Services, LLC
- Staff Accountant - Remote at Groupon
- (#R24709) IDD Habilitation Assistant / Clear Creek / ICF at RHA Health Services, LLC
- Financial Accountant I at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Associate Financial Analyst at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Communications Program Manager- Internal Communications at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Health & Fitness Article Writer at Bodybuilding.com
- (Immediate, Flexible hours/locations) Part-Time Paid TBBT/SNL-style Actors/Actresses ( Summer 2022 to School Year 2022-23) at CaringDr Corporation
- Data Visualization & Cartography Editor at American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Interactive Design
- Engineer I at Citizens Energy Group
- Business Analyst/ Asset Management Analyst at Hazen and Sawyer
- Consultant-Sales Process and Digitization at Tischner Consulting
- Reinsurance Actuarial Analyst- Reach Program at Gallagher
- Communications Specialist at EPA at Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU)
- Front End Software Engineer - Tysons at Alarm.com
- Front End Software Engineer - Greenville at Alarm.com
- (#6393523002) Front End Software Engineer - Centennial at Alarm.com
- Senior Electrical Engineer at STERIS
- Product Designer - Remote at Community Brands
- Mechanical Engineer (Entry Level) at L&T Technology Services
- 2023 Summer Intern: Sam's Club Software Engineer III at Walmart Corporate
- 2023 Summer Intern: Sam's Club Software Engineer II at Walmart Corporate
- Data Manager - Survey, Recruitment, and Biospecimen Collection Shared Resource (SRBSR) Services – Georgetown University Medical Center at Georgetown University - Cancer Prevention and Control Program
- Mechanical Engineer at IPG Photonics
- Data Visualization & Cartography Editor at American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
- Software Engineer at ENSCO, Inc.
- Robotic Process Automation Developer at TOWNEBANK
- Early Careers: Compensation Analyst at WTW
Internships for JMU Students
Interpreter
- Customer Engineering Summer 2023 Internship Positions at Cummins Inc.
- Summer 2023 Internship - IT at RBC Wealth Management
- Sage Intacct Consulting Intern - Summer 2023 at RSM US LLP
- Dell Technologies Services Undergrad Engineering Intern at Dell Technologies
- Fall 2022 Intern – Systems Engineering at Jacobs
- Managed IT Services M365 Consulting Intern - Summer 2023 at RSM US LLP
- Managed IT Services M365 Consulting Intern - Fall 2022 at RSM US LLP
- Intelligent Automation Consulting Intern - Summer 2023 at RSM US LLP
- Mechanical Engineering Co-Op (Spring, Summer, Fall 2023) at Bosch
- Mechanical Engineering Co-Op (Spring, Summer, Fall 2023) at Bosch
- Industrial Engineering Co-Op (Spring, Summer, Fall 2023) at Bosch
- Computer Engineering Co-Op (Summer, Spring, Fall 2023) at Bosch
- 2023 Summer Internship Program - Market and Wealth Services at Bank of New York Mellon (BNY Mellon)
- Early Careers: Retirement Actuarial Internship at WTW
- Point Solutions Consulting Intern - Summer 2023 at RSM US LLP
- D365 Enterprise Delivery Consulting Intern - Summer 2023 at RSM US LLP
- Buying Internship at PetSmart
- Digital Creative UX Intern at PetSmart
- Software Engineering Intern at BlackRock
Translation
- Data Analytics Analyst - Explorer Summer Intern Program - 2023 at Barclays
- Integration Programs Intern at National Immigration Forum
- Technical Writing Intern (Fall 2022/Remote) at IQVIA
- Warner Music U, Content Creator at Warner Music Group
- Warner Music U, Marketing Rep at Warner Music Group
- Language Access Program Intern at Ayuda
- Social Media Marketing Internship with Harvard-based Non-profit at humanID
Language
- Software Developer Internship In Fairfax, VA near GMU CAMPUS at NextgenID, Inc.
- Data Scientist Intern – Summer 2023 at WPS Health Solutions
- Intern - Inventory Performance (Summer 2023) at United Airlines
- Intern - Inventory Forecasting (Summer 2023) at United Airlines
- Law Clerk Intern - Consumer at Santander Bank, N.A.
- Managed IT Services M365 Consulting Intern - Summer 2023 at RSM US LLP
- Consumer and Digital Transformation Summer Intern, Project Management at Santander Bank, N.A.
- Consumer and Business Banking Summer Intern, Payments at Santander Bank, N.A.
- Software Development Intern at Trane Technologies
- Developer Analyst - Explorer Summer Intern Program - 2023 at Barclays
- Actuarial Intern at Farmers Insurance Corporate Careers
- 2023 Program Manager Intern at Amazon
- Consumer & Digital Transformation Intern – Customer Experience at Santander Bank, N.A.
- App Dev D365 Customer Engagement Consulting Intern - Summer 2023 at RSM US LLP
- IT Analyst Intern - Project Management at PetSmart
- IT Analyst - OMNI Fulfillment at PetSmart
- IT Analyst - Finance SAP at PetSmart
- IT Analyst Intern at PetSmart
- Integration Programs Intern at National Immigration Forum
Scholarships and Funding
Madison awards more than 400 one- to four-year scholarships each year to incoming students. The primary criterion for merit-based scholarships is exceptional academic performance. Other selection criteria may include leadership, involvement, and career goals.
The Madison Scholarships Hub is the application center for all JMU Foundation scholarships at James Madison University. To access the Madison Scholarships Hub, log in to MyMadison. Under the Applicant tab, click on the Madison Scholarships Hub logo.
All students are encouraged to fill out the General Application in the Madison Scholarships Hub to be considered for various scholarship opportunities. Qualifications for the majority of our scholarships are based on the General Application information as well as information pulled directly from your admissions application.
Review the criteria carefully for any recommended scholarship opportunities you are presented with and if you meet the qualifications, click apply to submit the additional required information. Deadlines vary across departments so be sure to complete the General Application as soon as possible to receive full consideration. Some scholarship opportunities become available starting in the fall while others open later so be sure to check back in January, February and March.