Media & Society, B.A.
Program Overview
Through engaging coursework and hands-on experiences, students in the Media & Society emphasis develop expertise in media theory, research, and strategic communication. With a focus on cultural, social, and religious literacy, media literacy, and content creation, graduates are equipped to make a meaningful impact in media careers and advanced academic pursuits.
How to apply
Research Media, Transform Society
As a Media & Society student, you’ll gain a strong foundation in media theory, research methods, and literacy while exploring the impact of media on family, religion, and society.
Through immersive experiences in faculty-run research labs, you’ll collaborate on projects that analyze media effects, audience behavior, and strategic messaging. This hands-on approach prepares you for careers in media analysis, content creation, and public advocacy or advanced academic pursuits. The emphasis empowers you to critically evaluate media’s role in shaping values and societal change, all while reflecting BYU’s mission and values.
Through immersive experiences in faculty-run research labs, you’ll collaborate on projects that analyze media effects, audience behavior, and strategic messaging. This hands-on approach prepares you for careers in media analysis, content creation, and public advocacy or advanced academic pursuits. The emphasis empowers you to critically evaluate media’s role in shaping values and societal change, all while reflecting BYU’s mission and values.
TOP 7%
"Best Colleges for Communications in America" -Niche
85%
School of Communications graduates employed full-time within 1 year of graduation
#20
"2024 Best Colleges in America" -WSJ
JOIN A RESEARCH LAB
Each faculty member in the Media & Society emphasis operates their own research lab, allowing students unique opportunities to participate in research and experiential learning opportunities covering topics such as popular culture, health communication, international relations, persuasive messaging, the family, and artificial intelligence. Reach out to individual faculty members to find out what opportunities are available. Students will also have access to state-of-the-art biometrics technologies in the BioComms Lab.
Student Outcomes
Graduates of BYU’s Media & Society emphasis are prepared to excel in diverse fields, including media research, content strategy, public advocacy, and communication analysis. With hands-on experience in faculty-mentored research and a deep understanding of media’s impact on family, religion, and society, alumni are equipped to critically engage with complex issues, pursue advanced academic study, and lead efforts that promote ethical media practices and meaningful societal change.
Career Services
Alumni & Student Stories
Interested in seeing what our students and graduates have been up to? Take a scroll…
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Public Relations Alum Colin Wylie on Sharing the Giving Machine With Columbus, Ohio
With the Help of a Miniature LEGO Replica, Colin Wylie Helps Spread the Word About a New Giving Machine
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Photo Essay: A Look Into Alum Emma Benson's Life as a Journalist
With Features About First Responders, Organ Donors and More, Emma Benson is Using Her Storytelling Skills for Good
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Deseret News VP Emily Hellewell on Problem Solving and Variety in the Field of Communications
BYU Public Relations Alum Emily Hellewell Shares Her Experience in the Communications Industry
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Make Something Wonderful: Homecoming Alumni Speaker Brent Anderson on the Craft of Creativity
In His 2024 Homecoming Alumni Lecture, School of Communications Alum Brent Anderson Shared Insights About Creativity from his Career Experience Working with Apple
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Advertising Alum Brent Anderson on “Harnessing the Unpredictability and Magic of Creativity”
Brent Anderson, an Honored Alumni Speaker for Homecoming Week, Shared More About His Creative Roots
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First Latin American Forum on Journalism and Religion Held at BYU
Journalists From Latin America Join BYU’s School of Communications in a Conversation About Religious Reporting
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Like Father, Like Son: Art Rascon Steps Down as Son Jacob Rascon Steps Up to Fill His Position As News Anchor
Jacob Rascon takes the place of his father Art Rascon after 36 years in the journalism business, looking forward to filling the shoes his father wore so well
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Alumni Profile: Jenny Anderson
Jenny Anderson Advertising, 2018 Senior Account Manager, VMLY&R, New York City
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Alumni Profile: Jerry Miller
Jerry Miller Broadcast Journalism, 1978 Voice of Idaho State Bengals for 39 years
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Notes from the Editor: Journalism & the Church
Meet the editor in chief of the Church News and learn about her vigor for the field of journalism
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Extra! Extra! Read All About the New DU Magazine
65 years after its editorial debut, the Daily Universe is entering a new phase
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TWO COLLEGE ANCHORS FIND THEIR WAY TO THE SAME ANCHOR DESK 12 YEARS LATER
From college to KUTV 2News, these two journalists have come up together through their careers of broadcast journalism
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STUDENT RESOURCES
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Academic Advising
Receive help with class registration, academic planning, and more.
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Bridge Semester
Make sure you're on track to enter the Journalism & Sports Media program.
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Professionalism Policy
Discover how the School of Communications prepares you for the workplace.
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Courses
Freshman Year
Sophomore Year
Junior Year
Senior Year
All Electives
1st Semester
WRTG 150 (3.0 credits)
COMMS 101 (3.0 credits)
Religion elective (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (6.0 credits)
UNIV 101 (2.0 credits)
Total Hours 16.0 credits
2nd Semester
A HTG 100 (3.0 credits)
COMMS 300 (3.0 credits)
COMMS 304 (3.0 credits)
Religion elective (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (6.0 credits)
Total Hours 17.0 credits
3rd Semester
Comms 319 (3.0 credits)
Comms elective (3.0 credits)
Comms elective (3.0 credits)
Religion elective (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (6.0 credits)
Total Hours 17.0 credits
4th Semester
Comms 416 (3.0 credits)
Comms elective (3.0 credits)
Comms elective (3.0 credits)
Religion elective (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (6.0 credits)
Total Hours 17.0 credits
5th Semester
Comms elective (3.0 credits)
Comms elective (3.0 credits)
Religion elective (2.0 credits)
Religion elective (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (7.0 credits)
Total Hours 17.0 credits
6th Semester
Comms 483 (3.0 credits)
Comms elective (3.0 credits)
Religion elective (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (7.0 credits)
Total Hours 17.0 credits
7th Semester
COMMS 496R, COMMS 497R, COMMS 498R, or COMMS 491R (1.0 credit)
Religion elective (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (9.0 credits)
Total Hours 12.0 credits
COMMS 301 - Media History and Culture (3.0 credits)
COMMS 302 - Popular Culture and Media (3.0 credits)
COMMS 351 - Media Technology and Audiences (3.0 credits)
COMMS 411 - Media Effects and Health (3.0 credits)
COMMS 416 - Civic Communication and Public Advocacy (3.0 credits)
COMMS 481 - Family, Gender, and Media (3.0 credits)
COMMS 482 - Religion, Media, and Society (3.0 credits)
COMMS 302 - Popular Culture and Media (3.0 credits)
COMMS 351 - Media Technology and Audiences (3.0 credits)
COMMS 411 - Media Effects and Health (3.0 credits)
COMMS 416 - Civic Communication and Public Advocacy (3.0 credits)
COMMS 481 - Family, Gender, and Media (3.0 credits)
COMMS 482 - Religion, Media, and Society (3.0 credits)
MEDIA & SOCIETY FACULTY
Clark Callahan
Professor: Communications Studies
Comms Studies; Theories of intercultural adaptation; Historical diffusion of innovation; Media ecology; Digital Comms
308 BRMB
801-422-1493
clark_callahan@byu.edu
Comms Studies; Theories of intercultural adaptation; Historical diffusion of innovation; Media ecology; Digital Comms
308 BRMB
801-422-1493
clark_callahan@byu.edu
Scott Church
Associate Professor : Comms Studies; Popular culture, media ecology, online culture and rhetoric
305 BRMB
801-422-0578
scott_church@byu.edu
305 BRMB
801-422-0578
scott_church@byu.edu
Kevin John
Associate Professor : Media and Society: Health communications and media
234A BRMB
801-422-7159
kevin_john@byu.edu
234A BRMB
801-422-7159
kevin_john@byu.edu
