Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Media

Program Overview

The Integrated Media program at Simmons University equips students with the skills to communicate effectively through visual storytelling. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, real-world projects, and collaboration with local clients. Graduates are prepared for careers in television, multimedia, content production, and social media management, with Boston's thriving media market providing ample internship and career opportunities.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Integrated Media program at Simmons University is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to communicate, uplift, educate, and create change through visual storytelling. The program emphasizes the art and science of communicating across multiple media, including drawing, video, animation, digital imaging, web, photography, and radio. Students gain confidence in their own vision and develop a keen understanding of all communications disciplines, from design to journalism to public relations and marketing communications.

Outline:

The Integrated Media program is offered as both a stand-alone minor and as a concentration within the Communications major.

Minor Requirements:

• Required Courses (8 credits, choose two):
• COMM121 Visual Communication (4 credits)
• COMM122 Media Writing and Editing (4 credits)
• COMM124 Media, Messages and Society (4 credits)
• Tech Courses (2 credits, choose two):
• COMM110 Introduction to 2D Design Technology 1 (1 credit)
• COMM112 Introduction to Animation & Motion Graphics Technology 1 (1 credit)
• COMM114 Introduction to Audio and Video Editing (1 credit)
• Electives (select two):
• COMM120 Communications Media (4 credits)
• COMM163 Radio Operations and Podcasting (4 credits)
• COMM220 Video Production (4 credits)
• COMM222 Animation (4 credits)
• COMM 224 Storytelling (4 credits)
• COMM246 Digital Imaging for Design (4 credits)
• COMM262 Media Convergence (4 credits)
• COMM323 Digital Cultures (4 credits)

Degree Requirements (BA in Communications with Integrated Media Concentration):

• Step One: Core Requirements (All Communications students):
• COMM121 Visual Communication (4 credits)
• COMM122 Media Writing and Editing (4 credits)
• COMM124 Media, Messages and Society (4 credits)
• Step Two: Technology Courses (All Communications students):
• COMM110 Introduction to 2D Design Technology 1 (1 credit)
• COMM112 Introduction to Animation & Motion Graphics Technology 1 (1 credit)
• COMM114 Introduction to Audio and Video Editing (1 credit)
• Step Three: Concentration Courses:
• Integrated Media Concentration (4 courses):
• COMM120 Communications Media (4 credits)
• COMM163 Radio Operations and Podcasting (4 credits)
• COMM186 Introduction to Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communications (4 credits)
• COMM220 Video Production (4 credits)
• COMM222 Animation (4 credits)
• COMM 224 Storytelling (4 credits)
• COMM262 Media Convergence (4 credits)
• COMM269 Globalization and Intercultural Communication (4 credits)
• COMM281 Content Creation and Strategy (4 credits)
• COMM323 Digital Cultures (4 credits)
• COMM324 Social Media: Social Listening and Analytics (4 credits)
• Design Concentration (2 courses):
• COMM210 Introduction to Graphic Design (4 credits)
• COMM240 Typography (4 credits)
• COMM241 Design Thinking (4 credits)
• COMM244 Web Design (4 credits)
• COMM246 Digital Imaging for Design (4 credits)
• COMM248 Type and Image (4 credits)
• COMM286 Intro to Advertising Practice and Branding (4 credits)
• COMM333 Responsive Design (4 credits)
• COMM340 Advanced Design (4 credits)
• Journalism Concentration (2 courses):
• COMM181 Public Speaking and Presentation (4 credits)
• COMM 215 Blogging & Opinion and Editorial Writing (4 credits)
• COMM260 Journalism (4 credits)
• COMM263 Social Media Journalism (4 credits)
• COMM310 In-Depth Storytelling (4 credits)
• COMM312 Health Communications (4 credits)
• COMM320 Media and the First Amendment (4 credits)
• COMM322 Video Journalism (4 credits)
• COMM327 Culture of the News (4 credits)
• Step Four: Capstone (at least 4 credits):
• COMM370 Internship (0 credits)
• COMM380 Capstone Internship (0 credits)
• COMM390 Studio 5: A Communication Workplace (4 credits)

Teaching:

• The program emphasizes hands-on learning and real-world projects.
• Students work on projects for local, non-profit clients in Studio 5, a communications workplace.
• Students have opportunities to work on Commtracks, an award-winning communications magazine.
• The program is taught by experienced faculty with expertise in various communications disciplines.

Careers:

• Graduates of the Integrated Media program are prepared for careers in television, multimedia, content production, and social media management.
• The program provides students with the skills and knowledge to be successful in any creative workplace.
• Boston's ranking as a top 5 US media market offers numerous internship and career opportunities for students.

Other:

• The program is located in Boston, with close proximity to the MFA, the ICA, and numerous communities of filmmakers, multimedia artists, comics creators, and more.
• Students have access to a variety of resources, including the Simmons University Library, the Holmes Sports Center, and the Daly Field.
• The program is part of the Department of Communications at Simmons University.
• The program is offered on campus.
• Students can apply to the program online.
• The program is related to other programs at Simmons University, including Art, Cinema and Media Studies, Communications, Design, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations and Marketing Communications, Social Media, and Web Design & Development.