Our nationally recognized programs prepare you for meaningful careers as ethical practitioners and scholars. You'll learn from leading educators in some of the nations top facilities. 

Bachelors

Students in class

Communication Studies Major

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science

Our communication studies degree lays the theoretical foundations of effective communication and empowers you to become a skillful communicator. You can choose from concentrations in entertainment and sports, advocacy and public, relational and interpersonal, or organizational and professional communication. Learn more.

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Journalism Major

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science

Ball State’s bachelor’s degree in journalism provides a comprehensive, hands-on learning environment for mastering the art of storytelling through all types of media: print, video, audio, graphics, social, blogs, apps, and more. Learn more.

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Teaching Major in Journalism

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science

Ranked among the best programs in the country, Ball State’s bachelor’s degree in journalism education provides a strong foundation in journalism knowledge combined with practical teaching and advising skills for middle and high school grade levels. Learn more.

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Strategic Communication: Advertising Major

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science

Channel your enthusiasm and creativity into a field that lets you bring a brand story to life across TV, radio, the Internet, social media, and all other channels. Our degree prepares you for careers in account management, creative development, and media planning. Learn more.

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Strategic Communication: Public Relations Major

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science

Learn how to strategically bridge a brand with its audience, serving as its spokesperson and chief champion. Whether representing individuals or corporations, you’ll know how to shape your clients or employers’ narratives through social media, media relations, event planning, and more. Learn more.

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Media Major

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science

As a Media major at Ball State, you’ll learn how to use video, audio, film, and emerging media to develop, design, write, and create stories for a wide range of audiences. Choose from several concentrations, including media production, sports production, esports production, sports reporting, multimedia and broadcast storytelling (news), media promotion and management, or film and media studies. Learn more.

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Media Design and Development Major

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor oF Science

Earning a media design and development major means you'll leave with a command of the necessary processes and skills to create static and interactive story designs and experience in diverse field exercises that ground you in understanding the user experience. Learn more.

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Computer Technology Major

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science

Our program of study helps you build a strong foundation in the concepts, theories, and practices of information technology, including the design, implementation, and administration of secured systems and networks. Learn more.

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Master's Degree in Journalism

Master of Arts

Whether you’re a working journalist looking to expand your skillset or a recent college graduate aiming to give your career a big boost, Ball State’s graduate program in journalism is the perfect fit. Learn more.

Jen Palilonis

Master's Degree in Emerging Media Design and Development

Master of Arts

With Ball State’s master of arts in emerging media design and development, you’ll learn how to plan, develop, deploy, and test communication designs and storytelling across digital platforms. Learn more.

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Master's Degree in Public Relations

Master of Arts

Certified by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), our master of arts in public relations will position you for success in the exciting, high-demand field of strategic communications. Learn more.

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Communication Liberal Arts and Science Concentration

Master of Arts in Communication Studies

Take your career to the next level with our graduate studies program in communication liberal arts and sciences. It will prepare you to teach in a college or university, move directly into a professional communication career, or further your doctoral studies. Learn more.

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Organizational and Professional Communication Development Concentration

Master of Arts in Communication Studies

Great companies need great communicators. Our master’s degree in organizational and professional communication and development will equip you to become one. Learn more.

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Media Master’s Degree

Master of Arts

Go a step further with our Media master’s degree. Our master's program empowers students to craft compelling stories that fully engage audiences and influence their world. Accelerated Master's Program available. Learn more.

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Master’s in Information and Communication Sciences

With thousands of successful alumni working worldwide, our master of science program carries global recognition and value. It’s a breakthrough graduate degree generating top-notch professionals for the technology sector and all technology-enabled organizations. Learn more.

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Minor in Digital Media

No matter your career, Ball State’s minor in digital media will prepare you to become an outstanding digital storyteller. This interdisciplinary program teaches the basic theoretical, conceptual, and practical skills needed to build and tell stories in a digital environment. Learn more.

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Minor in Sports Studies

Enhance your journalism or media major with a sports studies specialization. In addition to grounding you in sports writing and specialty reporting, this minor will equip you to understand sports law, finance, communication, and governance and prepare you for a career in sports broadcasting, sports reporting, or sports sales, promotions, and marketing. Learn more.

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Minor in Journalistic Storytelling

Open to all majors, Ball State’s minor in journalistic storytelling is the perfect way to enhance your studies in another department with a journalism skill set. This minor will prepare you to create content for print, web, or broadcast media outlets. Learn more.

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Minor in Strategic Communications

Open to all majors, this minor provides a strong grounding in the fundamentals of strategic communication in both for-profit and not-for-profit settings. Learn more.

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Minor in Campaign Communication Studies

Our minor in campaign communication studies covers how political communication works and common methods of political persuasion and rhetoric. Learn more.

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Minor in Communication Studies

With a minor in communication studies, you will learn the fundamentals of effective interpersonal, organizational, and public communication. Learn more.

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Minor in Management and Organizational Communication

Complement your business skills with the art of effective communication within companies, organizations, and nonprofits. Learn more.

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Media Minor

A Media minor from Ball State will give you a foundational understanding of how media operates in American culture, how stories are crafted, what laws govern media makers, and what responsible content creation looks like. Learn more.

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Minor in Film and Screenwriting

If you love the foundational magic that makes movies happen—a well-written script—and want to learn how to become part of that magic, then Ball State’s minor in film and screenwriting—offered jointly by Media and English—is a great choice. Learn more.

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Minor in Sports Studies

In addition to grounding you in sports writing and specialty reporting, our minor in sports studies—offered jointly by Media and SJSC—will equip you to understand other aspects of the sports media industries and prepare you for a career in sports broadcasting, sports reporting, or sports promotions. Learn more.

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Minor in Computer Technology

Our minor in computer technology will provide a basic understanding of computer installation, networking, maintenance, and service/repair. Learn more.

Undergraduate Certificate in Extended Reality (XR)

The XR Certificate program is an immersive educational initiative designed to provide students with knowledge and skill sets to practice in the domain of Extended Reality (XR). Encompassing Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) technology altogether, XR provides a way to merge the real world and digital worlds to provide new ways of understanding, living, working, and playing. Learn More

Graduate Certificate in Emerging Media and Visual Reporting

Further your journalism career with our five-course, online program. You’ll study advanced media technology and digital storytelling techniques for visual reporting. Upon consultation with the graduate program director, some courses taken in the certificate program may apply toward a master’s degree in journalism. Learn more.

Graduate Certificate in Literary Journalism

Develop innovative narrative skills that employers demand in the rapidly evolving media environment. Upon consultation with the graduate program director, some courses taken in this five-course, online certificate program may apply toward a master’s degree in journalism. Learn more.

Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communications

Perfect for managers, administrators, and other business professionals, this five-course program will help you sharpen your skills in marketing, communications, community affairs, and media relations. You can earn this certificate online, on campus, or a blend of both. Additionally, upon consultation with the graduate program director, some courses taken in the certificate program may apply toward a master’s degree in public relations. Learn more.

Graduate Certificate in Education Communications

Working as a school administrator, teacher, or coach often means needing to communicate with not only entire schools, but the public community at large. Our five-course certificate—offered online, on campus, or a blend of both—will teach you the fundamentals of public relations while tailored to your career field’s unique needs. Additionally, upon consultation with the graduate program director, some courses taken in the certificate program may apply toward a master’s degree in public relations. Learn more.

Graduate Certificate in Emerging Media Design and Development

Receive skills training in areas of interaction design, usability testing, product development project management and innovative storytelling. This low residency program is completed partially face-to-face and online using applied research and cross-disciplinary project work.

Journalism License Addition

For current and post-baccalaureate students with a major in a secondary teaching license area outside of journalism (e.g. English education, social studies education, theater education, etc.), this 15-hour program prepares candidates with the knowledge and skills needed to pass the Indiana journalism-licensing exam for grades 5-12. Coursework can be completed on campus, online, or a blend of both. Learn more.