Media & Society, B.A.
Program Overview
The Media & Society emphasis is a three-semester, accelerated program designed to give students a strong foundation in media theory while equipping them with hands-on experiences in emerging technologies.
Through engaging coursework and immersive projects, students explore how media influences culture, religion, families, and society. They gain experience applying media theory to real-world contexts, including artificial intelligence, communication technologies, and strategic messaging. With a focus on media literacy, cultural and religious literacy, and content creation, graduates are prepared to make meaningful contributions in media careers, public advocacy, and advanced academic pursuits.
        
    
        Through engaging coursework and immersive projects, students explore how media influences culture, religion, families, and society. They gain experience applying media theory to real-world contexts, including artificial intelligence, communication technologies, and strategic messaging. With a focus on media literacy, cultural and religious literacy, and content creation, graduates are prepared to make meaningful contributions in media careers, public advocacy, and advanced academic pursuits.
            How to apply
        
    
    
        
            
                
            
        
    
Accelerated Learning, Lasting Impact
As a Media & Society student, you’ll gain a strong foundation in media theory, research methods, and literacy while exploring the role of media in shaping family, religion, and society.
This three-semester accelerated emphasis combines rigorous academic training with hands-on application. Through immersive experiences in faculty-led research labs, you’ll collaborate on projects that analyze media effects, audience behavior, AI applications, and emerging communication technologies. This blend of theory and practice prepares you for careers in media analysis, strategic communication, content creation, and public advocacy, or for advanced graduate study.
The emphasis empowers you to think critically about media’s role in shaping values and societal change, and to apply that understanding in strategic, innovative ways that reflect BYU’s mission and values.
            
        
    
      
      
      
      
    
        
    
    This three-semester accelerated emphasis combines rigorous academic training with hands-on application. Through immersive experiences in faculty-led research labs, you’ll collaborate on projects that analyze media effects, audience behavior, AI applications, and emerging communication technologies. This blend of theory and practice prepares you for careers in media analysis, strategic communication, content creation, and public advocacy, or for advanced graduate study.
The emphasis empowers you to think critically about media’s role in shaping values and societal change, and to apply that understanding in strategic, innovative ways that reflect 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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BYU Communications Alum Edward Wright’s Career in Geopolitics, Service and Public Safety in Africa
            
        
    
        
        
            
    
    
         
    
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
    
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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
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            Alumni Profile: Jenny Anderson
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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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        STUDENT RESOURCES
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Discover how the School of Communications prepares you for the workplace.
            
        
    
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
    
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                        Courses
		
		
		Applying to the Emphasis
						First Semester
						Second Semester
						Third Semester
						Comms 483 - Advanced Communications Studies (3.0 credits)
COMMS 496R, COMMS 497R, COMMS 498R, or COMMS 491R (1.0 credit)
Total Hours 4.0 credits
        
    
        
          
          
    
        
      COMMS 496R, COMMS 497R, COMMS 498R, or COMMS 491R (1.0 credit)
Total Hours 4.0 credits
MEDIA & SOCIETY FACULTY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
