Major code BS5399*

Scripps College of Communication
School of Media Arts and Studies
The Schoonover Center for Communication
3rd Floor
20 E. Union St.
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.4870
Email: mediaschool@ohio.edu
www.ohio.edu/scripps-college/mdia

Josh Antonuccio, contact person
antonucn@ohio.edu

Program Overview

The School of Media Arts and Studies prepares and develops students for successful careers in multiple creative industries across media and technology. 

The School of Media Arts and Studies is ranked as one of the  top 50 Media programs in the U.S. by the Broadcast Education Association (BEA). Our students have exceptional opportunities to grow in their field through nationally-recognized production facilities, hands-on learning, industry-engaged experiences, and excellent faculty.  

The school is a national leader in experiential education, providing several regional and traveling course opportunities in the U.S. and beyond. These opportunities enable our students to engage directly with industries and learn first-hand from professionals and leaders. As well, we offer several student organizations for students of all skill levels and encourage participation in internships. Our engaging program opportunities and extensive alumni community lead to important connections for our students, fostering internships and job placement.

With over 600 undergraduates and a community of creative and research-engaged faculty, the School of Media Arts and Studies has established a global reputation for excellence. Our students distinguish themselves, graduating to become leaders and change agents across numerous creative industries. As such, there is strong demand to join our program. 

The Media Arts Production program serves a diverse range of student interests in media production, offering coursework and practical experience in video production, audio production, writing for the media, producing, editing, digital cinematography and multimedia production. Students go on to careers as both freelance and corporately-employed professionals in the communication, media and entertainment industries throughout the US and abroad.

All students enrolled in MDIA programs must complete core course requirements at the freshman and sophomore levels and a comprehensive production capstone in the Junior or Senior year. These courses integrate with courses specific to each program throughout the baccalaureate program. 

Ohio University’s Zanesville, Lancaster and Southern campuses offer an associate’s degree program in electronic media. This program offers a smaller, more intimate setting for the first two years of University coursework. Students participating in the two-year programs at these campuses and who desire to continue their study with the School of Media Arts and Studies will apply for transfer into the School during the spring semester (see transfer policy below). For additional information, see the Electronic Media  program in the Regional Higher Education section.

The School of Media Arts and Studies also offers an Honors Tutorial College  program for students with outstanding high school records. MDIA freshmen with strong academic records may also qualify.

*This program was previously BC5382 which awarded the Bachelor of Science in Communication. Pending Board of Trustees approval (anticipated June 2024), the new program code will be BS5399 and will award the Bachelor of Science effective the 2024-25 catalog year.

Admission Information

Freshman Admission

No requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Transfer Policy

Because the School of Media Arts and Studies sets high academic standards and limits enrollment, students from other universities or other programs and campuses at Ohio University must show strong academic performance. An accumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above will be required for consideration. Applications are accepted twice per year by the seventh week of either the fall or spring semester.

In addition, transfer students from outside Ohio University must abide by the policies indicated in the  Admissions  section of this catalog.

Further information regarding transfer policy can be found at:  www.ohio.edu/scripps-college/mdia/current-students-resources/transfer .

Internships

Students with majors in the School of Media Arts and Studies are strongly encouraged to undertake an internship. The School and the College have hundreds of professional internship opportunities available to students, with nearly every major media organization in the United States, as well as internationally. Students can receive one hour of credit for an on- or off-campus practicum ( MDIA 3910  or 3911 ) as early as the summer following the freshman year. Students may undertake the formal internship ( MDIA 4910 ) during the junior or senior year.  More information can be found at:  www.ohio.edu/scripps-college/mdia/current-students-resources/internships .

MDIA 4911  (Internship in LA) is conducted through the Ohio-in-LA program and requires a separate application through Ohio University’s Office of Global Opportunities.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

By using scripts, sound, moving image, and interactivity to create stories through music, games, animation, video, and social media our students learn the pre-production, production, and post-production processes, while continuing to hone the skills needed to analyze the media they are creating. Alumni of the Media Arts and Studies program work in a variety of media industries. They create, analyze, and oversee media for education, entertainment, activism, journalism, or public relations purposes in the corporate, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial media industries.

Requirements