Overview

Media is 24/7, 365, and always changing. The Department of Media Studies and Production is dedicated to educating and preparing media professionals for today and the future. Our Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and Production is at the intersection of study and production with a unique approach that blends theory and practice so that students consider the meaning and purpose of media in society even as they obtain and grow skills to create media. We go well beyond the traditional Radio/TV/Film degrees and offer a program that combines a scholar's understanding of media analysis, business, and production, with the practical and technical skills in oral and written communication, people and project management, media performance, and video/sound production and design for radio, television, online, and other outlets. With worldwide communities and the city of Philadelphia (America's 4th largest media market) as their living laboratories, students draw on their creativity, entrepreneurship, intellectual curiosity, and analytical abilities to navigate and build media careers in our global society.

Media Studies and Production students learn to think purposefully and critically about media, and examine the media's role in history, culture and society from many perspectives.

Working with top scholars and practitioners (both inside and outside of the classroom), and using the latest equipment and tools, Media Studies and Production students learn how to produce, evaluate, and manage media content for traditional, contemporary, and emerging media in various genres, including information (news and documentary), music, comedy, sports, drama, and commercial and noncommercial persuasion campaigns. They explore institutions that create, distribute, and investigate media products (e.g., production studios, television and radio networks, and audience measurement companies) and learn how to develop, operate, and lead successful media businesses. Upon graduation, our students will have the skills to:

  • Develop and produce content for a variety of formats, technologies, and platforms.
  • Create effective media messages for the audiences and purposes they serve.
  • Comprehend and apply theories regarding the cultural, social, and personal uses and effects of media and technologies.
  • Understand the legal and regulatory structures of media industries.
  • Lead, manage, collaborate, team-build, and innovate.
  • Convey information using effective, professional written and spoken communication.
  • Act ethically as media-consuming and media-producing citizens in the diverse global society.
  • Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to academic and professional media contexts.
  • Think critically.
  • Adapt and shift priorities and action in real time.
  • Manage time effectively and meet deadlines.
  • Live with grit, determination, and direction.

While students take courses from all areas, MSP majors must select one of the following concentrations:

  • Media Production
  • Media Business
  • Media Analysis

An optional concentration in International Communication is also available for this major.

Media Analysis Concentration

The Media Analysis professional concentration introduces students to the critical understanding of the roles of media in contemporary life, including media technology as a cultural force, the nature of media institutions, audiences, and texts, and the media as a source of shared social identities. This concentration prepares students for careers such as media educators, media consultants, editorial or technical writers, community activists/organizers, corporate communication producers, media scholars, market research analysts, and more.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: CO-MSP-BA

Accelerated Program

BA in Media Studies and Production / MA in Media Studies and Production

Contact Information

Matthew Lombard, PhD, Chair
lombard@temple.edu

Jack Klotz, Vice Chair
jklotz@temple.edu

Rebecca Gollihur, Department Director
gollihur@temple.edu

Department Office
Annenberg Hall, Room 205
215-204-5401
msp@temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and Production.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Summary of Requirements

The degree of Bachelor of Arts may be conferred upon a student majoring in Media Studies and Production (MSP) by the recommendation of the faculty and upon satisfactory completion of a minimum of 124 semester hours of credit with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 overall and in the major.

Students must meet:

  1. University requirements
    • All students are required to complete the General Education (GenEd) curriculum.
    • All students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive (WI) courses in the major at Temple University. Whenever possible, it is recommended that students select WI courses that also directly satisfy a specific MSP requirement to ease the path to program completion.
  2. Lew Klein College of Media and Communication requirements, including KLN 1001 and KLN 1002.
  3. Minimum of 45 credits in Media Studies & Production / maximum of 64 credits in Media Studies & Production.
  4. Each course that fulfills a requirement for the major must be passed with a C- or better.
  5. All prerequisites must be met unless exempted in writing.
  6. No more than 20 transfer credits may be applied to the Media Studies & Production major.
  7. No more than 12 credits total for internship, practicum, and independent study courses.

Media Studies and Production: Media Analysis Concentration Requirements

Foundation Courses
MSP 1021Introduction to Media Analysis 13
MSP 1655Introduction to Media Business 13
MSP 1701Introduction to Media Production 13
Content Area Requirements
Media Policy & Ethics
Select a minimum of one of the following:3
History of Electronic Media (WI)
Information Technology Policy
Public Media
Law and Ethics of Digital Media
Public Information Media Campaigns
Media Critical Topics
Select a minimum of one of the following:3
Introduction to Media Theory
Media Research
Media Popular Culture
The Influence of Media on Children
Media Criticism
Media Images and Analysis
Psychological Processing of Media
Media and Children (WI)
Media, Ecology and Technology
Emergent Media
Select a minimum of one of the following:3
Introduction to Internet Studies and Web Authoring
The Video Game Industry and Game Culture
Technology and Culture
Information Society
New Media Literacies
Mobile Media
Emergent Media Production
International/Intercultural Media Issues
Select a minimum of one of the following:3
Media and Cultural Differences
Media and the Environment
Communication and Development
#ourmedia: Community, Activist, Citizens' and Radical Media
Global Media (WI)
International Studies in Media and Communication
British Media and Telecommunication
Professional Development and Experiential Learning Requirements
MSP 4039Senior Seminar 23
Select one of the following Experiential Learning Options based upon your interests and eligibility: 33-4
Internship
TUTV Practicum
TV News Production Practicum - Temple Update (WI)
Sports Production Practicum (WI)
Recording Industry Practicum
Television Production Workshop Practicum
Radio Production Practicum
MSP Special Topics practicum course (when available - check the course schedule for the term in question)
Media Analysis Concentration Options
Select a minimum of 18 credit hours from the following courses, including at least two (2) courses at EITHER the 2000 or 3000 level. (Two is the minimum; however, there is no limit to the number of courses taken at these levels.) 318
Introduction to Media Theory
Media Research
Media Popular Culture
The Influence of Media on Children
Introduction to Internet Studies and Web Authoring
Field Experience in Youth Media and Media Literacy
Media Criticism
Writing Workshop (WI)
History of Electronic Media (WI)
The Video Game Industry and Game Culture
Technology and Culture
Media Images and Analysis
Media and Cultural Differences
Media and the Environment
Communication and Development
Information Technology Policy
Public Media
Psychological Processing of Media
Law and Ethics of Digital Media
Information Society
#ourmedia: Community, Activist, Citizens' and Radical Media
Public Information Media Campaigns
New Media Literacies
Global Media (WI)
Media and Children (WI)
Mobile Media
Communication in Media Organizations (WI)
Total Credit Hours45-46
1

Foundation courses must be completed within the first 45 credits at Temple University. Students transferring into Temple must complete at least one Media Studies & Production foundation course at Temple, unless exempted in writing by the chair of the department.

2

Taken during final 30 credits.

3

It is recommended that these are chosen in consultation with a Media Studies & Production Faculty Advisor.

Note: Courses offered in various categories can only be counted once.

About the Professional Development Requirements

The academic experience for all Media Studies and Production majors culminates with the Professional Development requirements, which include MSP 4039 Senior Seminar (3 credits) and one of the Experiential Learning Options (3-4 credits). Together, these courses provide students with hands-on and practical training in the field while allowing them the opportunity to explore their potential professional futures.

Experiential Learning Option: Internship

MSP 4785 Internship (3 or 4 credits): Internship opportunities exist locally (at virtually every media-oriented organization in the greater Philadelphia region), nationally (in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and other U.S. media markets), and internationally (in London, Dublin, Paris, Barcelona, Hong Kong, and Tokyo through the Lew Klein College of Media and Communication's Global Opportunities Program and Temple's Education Abroad Office). Students who wish to enroll in a second internship as an elective can take MSP 4786 for 1 to 3 credit hours. NOTE: To be eligible for an internship, students must obtain an appropriate internship placement for the term of registration (assistance is ​available), have Junior or Senior standing, a minimum GPA of 3.00, have completed all three MSP foundation courses with a minimum grade of C-, and official approval by the MSP Internship Coordinator via submission of the Internship Verification Form, and once determined eligible, the Site Verification Form.

Experiential Learning Option: Standard and Special Topics Practica

As noted in the major requirements list, there are six (6) standard practica courses, (MSP 4487, MSP 4596, MSP 4597, MSP 4687, MSP 4787, and MSP 4887). Four to five (4-5) of those options are offered each term and most of them have specific course prerequisites that must be completed prior to practica registration, so students are advised to plan accordingly.

When possible, at least one Special Topics practicum is also offered each year, and these focus on media-related topics different from the standard six. Consult the MSP Department for any upcoming ​Special Topics availability as well as the process for counting them toward the Professional Development Option within the official degree audit.

Suggested Academic Plan

Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.

Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and Production with a Concentration in Media Analysis

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredit Hours
MSP 1021 Introduction to Media Analysis (Foundation Requirement) 3
MSP 1701 Introduction to Media Production (Foundation Requirement) 3
ENG 0802
Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]
or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW]
or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]
4
GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course [GQ] 4
KLN 1001 Klein First-Year Seminar 1
 Credit Hours15
Spring
MSP 1655 Introduction to Media Business (Foundation Requirement) 3
Select one of the following courses from the Media Analysis Concentration Requirement (Other options may be possible depending upon completed prerequisites.) 1 3
Introduction to Media Theory  
Media Research  
Media Popular Culture  
Introduction to Internet Studies and Web Authoring  
Writing Workshop [WI]  
KLN 1002 Klein College Introduction to Professional Development 1
GenEd Breadth Course 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours16
Year 2
Fall
Media Analysis 2000-3000 Concentration Course (minimum of two courses required at 2000-3000 level) 1 3
Media Analysis 2000-3000 level Concentration Course (select a 2000-3000 level course if not yet completed; if completed, select any Media Analysis Concentration Course) 1 3
IH 0851
Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
Media Analysis Concentration Course 1 3
Media Critical Topics Requirement Course 1 3
IH 0852
Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Non-MSP Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Year 3
Fall
Media Analysis Concentration Course 1 3
Emergent Media Requirement Course 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Non-MSP Electives 7
 Credit Hours16
Spring
Media Analysis Concentration Course 1 3
International/Intercultural Media Issues Requirement Course 1 3
MSP or Non-MSP Electives 9
 Credit Hours15
Year 4
Fall
MSP 4039 Senior Seminar (Professional Development Requirement) 3
Media Policy & Ethics Requirement Course 1 3
MSP or Non-MSP Electives 10
 Credit Hours16
Spring
Select one of the following Experiential Learning Options based upon your interests and eligibility: 1 3-4
Internship 2  
TUTV Practicum 3  
TV News Production Practicum - Temple Update [WI] 3  
Sports Production Practicum [WI] 3  
Recording Industry Practicum 3  
Television Production Workshop Practicum 3  
Radio Production Practicum (not offered every year) 3  
MSP Special Topics practicum course (when available - check the course schedule for the term in question)
 
Non-MSP Electives 13-12
 Credit Hours16
 Total Credit Hours124
1

All students are required to take at least two writing-intensive (WI) courses in their major. Therefore, this academic plan includes a [WI] notation next to any course that has a writing-intensive attribute. All three MSP concentrations and three of the four focus areas include WI options. Whenever possible, it is recommended that students select their two WI courses from those that also directly satisfy one of their specific MSP requirements, since that will provide a more efficient use of credits and ease the path to program completion.

2

Internship Requirements: a.) Junior or Senior standing (minimum 60 credits completed), b.) a minimum 3.0 GPA, c.) completion of ALL MSP Foundations courses (MSP 1021, MSP 1655, and MSP 1701), and d.) no outstanding grades of Incomplete for any course. For details of the application process and information about the Internship course, review the MSP Internship Overview document, available from the "Forms and Links" section of the Klein tab on the TUPortal.

3

Practicum requirements vary from course to course. Check specific course prerequisites so you may plan accordingly.

Optional Concentration

The optional International Communication Concentration (ICC) provides a theoretical and practical education in international and intercultural communication and media. This program allows students to develop sought-after competencies in cultural sensitivity and intercultural communication skills by encouraging students to reflect on their own cultural lenses. Students participating in the ICC program will be exposed to multiple international perspectives through internationally- and interculturally-oriented courses offered on Temple's domestic campuses and may be supplemented with study abroad coursework.

This concentration is restricted to Klein students only.

Requirements

To earn the International Communication Concentration transcript notation, a student must successfully complete a total of 18-20 credits of International / Intercultural studies courses, a maximum 9 credits of which may come from courses transferred into Temple, across 3 areas. Each course that fulfills a requirement for the concentration must be passed with a C- or better.

Common Course
Select one of the following:3
Intercultural Communication
Intercultural Communication in the Workplace
Klein International/Intercultural courses
Select three of the following:9
Any ADV, CMST, CSI, JRN, MSP, or PR courses taken as part of a Klein GO International Program, or on an overseas Temple Campus (Main Campus Students: Rome or Japan; TUJ Students: Main or Rome; Rome Students: Main or Japan).
Any ADV, CMST, CSI, JRN, MSP, or PR International Internship completed as part of a Klein GO Program
Intercultural and Cross Cultural Conflict
Communication, Culture and Identity
Intercultural Communication in the Workplace (if not used to fulfill common course requirement above)
International Reporting
Journalism and Globalization
Media and Cultural Differences
Communication and Development
Information Society
Global Media
Global Communication and Leadership
International/Intercultural Electives outside of Klein
Note: Satisfying the GenEd World Society requirement by completing a Study Abroad does not also satisfy this requirement.
Choose any two (2) courses of the following:6-8
Up to any two foreign language courses
Any non-Klein courses at the 2000-level or higher taken in a Klein GO International Program, or on an overseas Temple Campus (Main Campus Students: Rome or Japan; TUJ Students: Main or Rome; Rome Students: Main or Japan).
Any non-Klein internship taken in a Klein GO International Program
Anthropology
Visual Anthropology of Modern Japan
Visual Anthropology of Modern Japan
The Anthropology of Modern China
The Anthropology of Modern China
Peoples of Latin America
Peoples of Latin America
Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean
Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean
Art History
Roman Art and Archaeology
Greek and Roman Sculpture
Early Modern Italy and Spain in the 17th Century
Northern and Global Baroque Art: Art in the Age of Rubens, Rembrandt, Vermeer
Transnational Impressionisms
Modern Art, 1900-1945
Arts of Asia
History of Art in Rome (Study Abroad - Rome)
Art and Culture in Ancient Rome (Study Abroad - Rome)
Wonders of Rome: Art and Culture of the Baroque Era (Study Abroad - Rome)
Galleries and Studios of Rome (Study Abroad - Rome)
Arts of Asia (Study Abroad - Japan)
Pre-Modern Japanese Art up to the Edo Period (Study Abroad - Japan)
Asian Studies
Practical Asian Society and Culture
Survey of Japanese Literature Before 1868
Tokyo in Literature and Film
Tokyo in Literature and Film
Japanese Literature in Film
Japanese Literature in Film
Japan in a Changing World
South Asia: Peoples, Culture, Experiences
Japanese Culture
Japanese Culture
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Insular
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Mainland
Introduction to Asian Business
Ideology and Social Change in Japan
Ideology and Social Change in Japan
China: State and Society
China: State and Society
Contemporary China
Contemporary China
Japan Today
Japan Today
Women and Society in Japan
Women and Society in Japan
Film & Media Arts
International Cinema
Geography & Urban Studies
Urban Systems in a Global Economy
African Development
East and South Asia
Geography of East and South Asia
International Urbanization
Environmental Problems in Asia
Environmental Problems in Asia
Environmental Problems in Asia
Geography of Travel and Tourism
Transportation & Culture
History
History of Central Europe, 1618-1871
Central Europe Through Wars and Revolution, 1848-1989
Introduction to East Asia: China
Introduction to East Asia: China
Introduction to East Asia: Japan
Introduction to East Asia: Japan
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Insular
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Insular
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Mainland
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Mainland
Introduction to African History
Introduction to Latin America
Civilization and Modernity in the Caribbean
Civilization and Modernity in the Caribbean
Modern Islamic History
Third World Issues through Film
Irish History
History of England
Russia: Nationality and Empire
Russia: Revolution, State, and Empire
Southern Africa: A History
The Chinese Revolution
Modern India
History of Vietnam
History of Brazil
History of Brazil
Contemporary Mexico
Contemporary Mexico
Israel: History, Politics and Society
Modern Middle East
Third World Women's Lives
Jewish Studies
Jewish Diaspora/Survey of Jewish History
Latin American Studies
Latin America through Film and Fiction
Comparative Political Systems in Latin America
Fundamentals of Latin American Business
Fundamentals of Latin American Business
Historical Continuity and Social Change in Latin America
Sociology of Music: Nation, Race, Class and Gender in Argentina and Brazil
"Other Voices" in Latin American Literature
Caribbean Literature and Culture
African Culture in Brazil
Political Science
Contemporary Politics of Europe
Eastern Europe, Russia and the West
Comparative Political Systems in Latin America
Comparative Public Policy
Politics of International Law
Politics of the Global Economy
International Organization
British Government and Politics
Mideast Politics
East Asia and the United States
East Asia and the United States
International Environmental Policy
International Environmental Policy
Religion
Religion and Human Sexuality
Religion in Film
Indian Philosophies and Religions
Religions of India
Introduction to Buddhism
Introduction to Buddhism
Chinese Religions - Confucius to Mao
Zen Buddhism
Zen Buddhism
Introduction to Judaism
Introduction to Judaism
Kabbalah and Mysticism
Kabbalah and Mysticism
Jesus in the Media
Introduction to Islam
Religion in Contemporary Africa
Monks, Masters, and Magicians: Religion in Premodern Chinese Literature
Monks, Masters, and Magicians: Religion in Premodern Chinese Literature
I-Ching, Tao, and Ch'an/Zen
I-Ching, Tao, and Ch'an/Zen
Japanese Religions
Japanese Religions
The Philosophies of Judaism
The Philosophies of Judaism
The Islamic State
Women in Islam
Islamic Mysticism
African Religions and New World Culture
Total Credit Hours18-20

Contact Information

Jack Klotz, MSP Faculty Advisor
Annenberg Hall, Room 115
215-204-5823
jklotz@temple.edu

Accelerated Programs

Students may opt to pursue an accelerated +1 program, enabling them to complete both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time than the traditional route.

The following accelerated programs are available to students in the Media Studies and Production BA: