Transfer Advising Guide for Media Studies (B.A.)

Program overview

As a media studies major, you will develop the creative and analytical skills to understand current and future trends in media while developing a deep understanding of the history and development of communication. Courses explore media theory, history, criticism, popular culture and technology, and are enriched by hands-on work in media design, storytelling, digital art, online community engagement and documentary filmmaking. This major is ideal for students who want to work in social media or web management, digital marketing, and media research and production.

Admission requirements

View more information regarding CU Boulder transfer admission requirements →

  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Students with more than 36 credit hours must have completed an introductory course: 
    • Intro to Mass Media–JOU 1005

Community College Course Summary*

AA Degree Requirement

Credit Hours

Course Title or Category

Written Communication6
  • ENG 1021 (GT-CO1) & 1022 (GT-CO2) or
  • ENG 1022 (GT-CO2) & a GT Pathways CO3 course
Oral Communication3
  • COM 1150 Public Speaking or
  • COM 1250 Interpersonal Communication or
  • COM 2300 Intercultural Communication (recommended)
Mathematics3
  • One GT Pathways Mathematics course (GT-MA1) 
Arts & Humanities6
  • Two GT Pathways Arts & Humanities courses (GT-AH1, GT-AH2, GT-AH3, GT-AH4)
History3
  • One GT Pathways History course (GT-HI1)
Social & Behavioral Science6
  • Two GT Pathways Social & Behavioral Sciences course (GT-SS1, GTSS2, GT-SS3)
Natural & Physical Sciences7
  • Two GT Pathways Natural & Physical Sciences courses (GT-SC1, GTSC2), one must be with laboratory (GT-SC1)
Student Choice3
  • One Arts and Humanities, History or Social Behavioral Science course
Electives23

Elective course suggestions include:

  • JOU 1005 Intro to Mass Media (GT-SS3) required for admission if over 36 credit hours

  • MGD 1011 Adobe Photoshop 1 

  • JOU 2025 New Media

  • CSC 1019 Introduction to Programming†

  • COM 2300 or 2270 meets the “within” CMCI requirement for Diversity.

  • Courses for Secondary Area of Study‡

* If an AA is not completed, either prior to starting at CU or through reverse transfer,  additional CMCI Core courses may be required.  


Ĩ

Notes 

  • The AA/AS degree fulfills CMCI Core requirements with the exception of CMCI 2030, CMCI Core Computing, and CMCI Core Diversity. CMCI 2030 is a required CMCI specific course and not offered outside of CMCI. CMCI Core Computing &  CMCI Core Diversity could be satisfied, only if an equivalent course is completed. CSC 1019 or 1060 completes the Computing requirement. COM 2300 or 2270 completes the CMCI Diversity requirement. 

  • CMCI requires third-level proficiency in a world language. All students are required to demonstrate third-level proficiency in a single non-English modern or classical language. Students may meet this requirement by:

    • Completing a Level III course (typically the third of three consecutive years) in a single non-English language while in high school.
    • Graduating from a high school that uses a non-English language as its principal mode of instruction, or receiving, in high school, a state-sponsored seal of biliteracy.
    • Passing an appropriate third-semester college course that is part of a three-course sequence of at least 12 semester credit hours, or earning AP or IB credit equivalent to such a course.
    • Passing a CU Boulder-approved proficiency examination.
  • Computing: CSC courses may require more intensive programming than the options available at CU.     

  • Secondary Area of Study: Students in MDST must complete a secondary area of study outside of MDST. This secondary area of study can be met by any of the following: program of at least 12 credit hours. Some electives may be used to apply toward the secondary area of study. 

  • This is a suggested guide of coursework only and is subject to change. Several factors can impact the timeline to degree completion. Always consult with your academic advisor for graduation planning purposes.

 

Year 1 – Colorado Community College

First semester
Total credits: 15

  • ​ENG 1021 – 3 credits
  • Arts and Humanities – 3 credits
  • JOU 1005 – 3 credits
  • Social Behavioral Science – 3 credits
  • Mathematics – 3 credits

Second semester
Total credits: 15

  • ENG 1022 – 3 credits
  • Natural Science – 3 credits
  • History – 3 credits
  • COM 2300 (or 2270) – 3 credits
  • JOU 2025 – 3 credits

Year 2 – Colorado Community College and CU

First semester – Colorado Community College
Total credits: 16

  • Natural Science with Lab – 4 credits
  • Social Behavioral Science – 3 credits
  • MGD1011 – 3 credits
  • Arts and Humanities – 3 credits
  • Computing – 3 credits

Second semester – CU
Total credits: 16

  • CMCI 2030 – 4 credits
  • MDST 1001 – 3 credits
  • MDST 2002 – 3 credits
  • Secondary Area of Study – 3 credits
  • Secondary Area of Study – 3 credits 

Year 3 – CU

First semester
Total credits: 15

  • MDST 2002 – 3 credits
  • MDST 3001 – 3 credits
  • Area of Concentration – 3 credits
  • Secondary Area of Study – 3 credits
  • Media Practice – 3 credits

Second semester
Total credits: 15

  • MDST 3002 – 3 credits
  • Area of Concentration (UD) – 3 credits
  • Secondary Area of Study (UD) – 3 credits
  • MDST Elective (UD) – 3 credits
  • Media Practice – 3 credits

Year 4 – CU

First semester
Total credits: 15 

  • MDST 4221 or MDST 4401 – 3 credits
  • Area of Concentration (UD)  – 3 credits
  • MDST 4931 – 3 credits
  • Elective (UD) – 3 credits
  • Elective (UD) – 3 credits

Second semester
Total credits: 15 

  • Elective (UD) – 3 credits
  • Secondary Area of Study (UD) – 3 credits
  • Secondary Area of Study (UD) – 3 credits
  • Elective (UD) – 3 credits
  • Elective (UD) – 3 credits

Total credits: 122

  Visit