Overview
Even as we think that media has already occupied our every waking minute, it continues to grow and evolve, and change is happening at a frenetic pace. 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 offer a program that combines a scholar's understanding of media analysis, business, and production, with the creative and technical skills in oral and written communication, people and project management, media performance, and video/sound production and design for television, streaming, podcasts, and other outlets. With the city of Philadelphia (America's 4th largest media market) and the global society as their living laboratories, students draw on their creativity, entrepreneurship, intellectual curiosity, and analytical abilities to navigate and build media careers.
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, children's media, and other forms of commercial and noncommercial media. They explore institutions that create, distribute, and investigate media products (e.g., production studios, television, radio, and podcast networks, and audience research 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 a variety of audiences and purposes.
- 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 utilizing comprehensive media literacy skills.
- Live with grit, determination, and direction to achieve bold goals.
While students take courses from all areas, MSP majors must select one of the following concentrations:
- Media Production
- Media Business
- Media Analysis
Media Production Concentration
The Media Production professional concentration immerses students in real-world, hands-on media production environments providing the conceptual and technical tools necessary to create and/or present media content for local, national, and global audiences. Students in this concentration develop extensive professional skills and incorporate well-tested industry best practices along with the critical and analytical abilities that enable them to produce and evaluate content for various media. This concentration prepares students for careers such as producers, directors, writers, videographers, broadcasters, editors, recording engineers, social media content creators/managers/influencers, website designers, reporters, and on-camera/on-mic talent in TV, radio, podcasting, gaming, social media, 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
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 2025-2026. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2025 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:
- 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.
- Lew Klein College of Media and Communication requirements, including KLN 1001 and KLN 1002.
- Minimum of 45 credits in Media Studies & Production / maximum of 64 credits in Media Studies & Production.
- Each course that fulfills a requirement for the major must be passed with a C- or better.
- All prerequisites must be met unless exempted in writing.
- No more than 20 transfer credits may be applied to the Media Studies & Production major.
- No more than 12 credits total for internship, practicum, and independent study courses.
Media Studies and Production: Media Production Concentration Requirements
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Foundation Courses | ||
MSP 1021 | Introduction to Media Analysis 1 | 3 |
MSP 1655 | Introduction to Media Business 1 | 3 |
MSP 1701 | Introduction to Media Production 1 | 3 |
Content Area Requirements | ||
Media Policy & Ethics | ||
Select a minimum of one of the following: | 3 | |
The Story of Modern Media (WI) | ||
Information Technology Policy | ||
Public Media | ||
Law and Ethics of Digital Media | ||
Media Campaigns for Social Change | ||
Media Critical Topics | ||
Select a minimum of one of the following: | 3 | |
Introduction to Media Theory | ||
Media Research | ||
Media and Popular Culture | ||
The Influence of Media on Children | ||
Understanding Media and Its Power | ||
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 | ||
The Role of Information in Society | ||
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 | ||
Media and Social Justice | ||
#ourmedia: Community, Activist, Citizens' and Radical Media | ||
Media and Globalization (WI) | ||
International Studies in Media and Communication | ||
British Media and Telecommunication | ||
Professional Development and Experiential Learning Requirements | ||
MSP 4039 | Senior Seminar 2 | 3 |
Select one of the following Experiential Learning Options based upon your interests and eligibility: 3 | 3-4 | |
Internship | ||
TUTV Practicum | ||
Temple Update Practicum (WI) | ||
OwlSports Update Productions Practicum (WI) | ||
Bell Tower Music Record Label Practicum | ||
Television Production Workshop Practicum | ||
WHIP Radio Practicum | ||
MSP Special Topics practicum course (when available - check the course schedule for the term in question) | ||
Media Production Concentration Options | ||
Select a minimum of 18 credit hours from the following courses, including at least one (1) 2000-level course; no more than two (2) 2000-level courses may be taken. 3 | 18 | |
Intermediate Video Production | ||
Voice Performance Techniques for Media | ||
Introduction to Internet Studies and Web Authoring | ||
Audio for Media | ||
Writing Workshop (WI) | ||
Travel Writing (WI) | ||
Genres of Media Production | ||
Sound for Visual Media | ||
Advanced Editing | ||
Lighting For Media | ||
On-Camera Performance | ||
Studio Music Recording Techniques | ||
Live Sound Production | ||
Podcast and Radio Production | ||
TUTV Practicum | ||
Mobile Media | ||
Temple Update Practicum (WI) | ||
OwlSports Update Productions Practicum (WI) | ||
Creating a Media Business | ||
Programming for Multiplatform Media | ||
Art and Business of Recording | ||
Bell Tower Music Record Label Practicum | ||
Producing and Directing | ||
Multimedia Production for Corporations and Non-Profits | ||
Emergent Media Production | ||
Audio Mixing | ||
Audio Mastering | ||
Television Production Workshop Practicum | ||
Creative Scriptwriting (WI) | ||
WHIP Radio Practicum | ||
Total Credit Hours | 45-46 |
- 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 & Production: Media Production Concentration
Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2025-2026 Academic Year
Year 1 | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credit 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 Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
MSP 1655 | Introduction to Media Business (Foundation Requirement) | 3 |
Select one of the following courses from the Media Production Concentration 2000-level Course Requirement. 1 | 3 | |
Intermediate Video Production | ||
Voice Performance Techniques for Media | ||
Introduction to Internet Studies and Web Authoring | ||
Audio for Media | ||
KLN 1002 | Klein College Introduction to Professional Development | 1 |
GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 16 | |
Year 2 | ||
Fall | ||
Media Production Concentration Course 1 | 3 | |
Media Production Concentration Course 1 | 3 | |
IH 0851 or IH 0951 | 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 Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Media Production Concentration Course 1 | 3 | |
Emergent Media Requirement Course | 3 | |
IH 0852 or IH 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year 3 | ||
Fall | ||
Media Production Concentration Course 1 | 3 | |
Media Critical Topics Requirement Course 1 | 3 | |
Non-MSP Electives | 10 | |
Credit Hours | 16 | |
Spring | ||
Media Production Concentration Course 1 | 3-4 | |
Media Policy & Ethics Requirement Course 1 | 3-4 | |
MSP or Non-MSP Electives | 9-7 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year 4 | ||
Fall | ||
MSP 4039 | Senior Seminar (Professional Development Requirement) | 3 |
International/Intercultural Media Issues Requirement Course 1 | 3 | |
MSP or Non-MSP Electives | 10 | |
Credit Hours | 16 | |
Spring | ||
Select one of the following courses from the Professional Development Experiential Learning Options based upon your interests and eligibility: 1 | 3-4 | |
Internship 2 | ||
TUTV Practicum 3 | ||
Temple Update Practicum [WI] 3 | ||
OwlSports Update Productions Practicum [WI] 3 | ||
Bell Tower Music Record Label Practicum 3 | ||
Television Production Workshop Practicum 3 | ||
WHIP Radio Practicum 3 | ||
MSP Special Topics practicum course (when available - check the course schedule for the term in question) | ||
Non-MSP Electives | 13-12 | |
Credit Hours | 16 | |
Total Credit Hours | 124 |
- 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.