The Department of Telecommunication consistently ranks among the top five in the United States and is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
Overview
Students select from one of four specializations:
- The management specialization prepares students to enter the profession through positions in research, sales, and marketing and promotion.
- The news specialization prepares students for careers as reporters and anchors, or as producers who are responsible for news programs behind-the-scenes. Entry into the broadcast news sequence is limited to students in the Department of Telecommunication who have placed in a competitive entrance exam. Contact the department office to determine when the exam is given.
- The production specialization prepares students for careers in program creation, writing and the creative applications of video and audio technology.
- The media and society specialization focuses on the theories, methods and techniques used to play, produce and distribute audio and video programs and messages; personnel and facilities management; marketing and distribution; media regulations, law and policy; and principles of broadcast technology. It prepares individuals to work in media organizations and those organizations that use electronic media, such as political campaigns, government, education and business.
Students can also use the communication skills they acquire to pursue graduate degrees. Students majoring in telecommunication participate in the university's six broadcast stations, other on campus facilities such as the Gator Network and elective internships throughout the world.
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Critical Tracking
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- 2.0 GPA on all work at all institutions
Semester 2
- Complete 2 of 6 critical-tracking courses: AMH 2020, ECO 2013, POS 2041, RTV 2100 (MMC 2100 can be substituted for RTV 2100), RTV 3001 and an approved English elective
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.5 GPA on all work at all institutions
Semester 3
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.5 GPA on all work at all institutions
Semester 4
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.5 GPA on all work at all institutions
Semester 5
- Complete all critical-tracking courses
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Management
Required Core Coursework
- ADV 3008 Principles of Advertising (3)
- MMC 1009 Introduction to Media and Communication * (1)
- MMC 2121 Fundamentals of Writing for Communicators * (3)
- MMC 3203 Mass Communications Ethics * or
RTV 4432 Ethics and Problems in Telecommunication * (3)
- MMC 3420 Audience Analytics (3) or
RTV 4506 Telecommunication Research (3)
- RTV 2100 Writing for Electronic Media * (3)
- RTV 3001 Introduction to Telecommunication * (3)
- RTV 3405 Television and American Society (3)
- RTV 3511 Fundamentals of Production * (3)
- RTV 4500 Telecommunication Programming (3)
- RTV 4700 Telecommunication Law and Regulation (3)
- RTV 4800 Telecommunication Planning and Operations (3)
- VIC 3001 Sight, Sound and Motion * (4)
- Electives inside college: 11 credits
- Operations Block: Select one; courses cannot be used to fulfill other requirements
- MMC 3420 Audience Analytics (3)
- RTV 3101 Advanced Writing for Electronic Media * (3)
- RTV 4420 New Media Systems * (3)
- RTV 4506 Telecommunication Research * (3)
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Recommended Semester Plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
| ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics |
4 |
| MUL 2010 Introduction to Music Literature (State Core GE-H/N) |
3 |
| THE 2000 Theatre Appreciation or ARH 2000 Art Appreciation (GE-H/D) |
3 |
| English elective (GE-C; ENC 1102 recommended) * |
3 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) * |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
| MMC 1009 Introduction to Media and Communication * |
1 |
| MMC 2121 Writing Fundamentals for Communicators * |
3 |
| RTV 3001 Introduction to Telecommunication * |
3 |
| English elective * |
3 |
| Foreign language * or quantitative option |
3 |
| Physical or Biological Science (GE-P or B) * |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
| POS 2041 American Federal Government (GE-S) |
3 |
| RTV 2100 Writing for Electronic Media ** |
3 |
SPC 2608 Introduction to Public Speaking or
ORI 2000 Oral Performance of Literature 1 * |
3 |
| VIC 3001 Sight, Sound and Motion * |
4 |
| Foreign language * or quantitative option |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
| ADV 3008 Principles of Advertising |
3 |
| RTV 3405 Television and American Society |
3 |
| Business outside concentration |
4 |
| Elective inside college |
3 |
| Elective outside college |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
PSY 2012 General Psychology or
SYG 2000 Principles of Sociology (GE-S) |
3 |
| RTV 3511 Fundamentals of Production * |
3 |
| RTV 4500 Telecommunication Programming |
3 |
| Elective inside college |
3 |
| Operations block, one course * |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
For semesters 7-8, students must complete two professional courses.
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
RTV 4506 Telecommunication Research or
MMC 3420 Audience Analytics |
3 |
| RTV 4700 Telecommunication Law and Regulation |
3 |
| Business outside concentration |
4 |
| Elective inside college |
3 |
| Elective outside college |
2 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
POS 2112 American State and Local Government or
INR 2001 Introduction to International Relations or
CPO 2001 Comparative Politics |
3 |
| RTV 4432 Ethics and Problems in Telecommunication * |
3 |
| RTV 4800 Telecommunication Planning and Operations |
3 |
| Business outside concentration |
4 |
| Elective inside college |
2 |
| Total |
15 |
Up to six credits of professional internship credit may count toward graduation.
* Minimum grade of C
** Minimum grade of C. MMC 2100 is accepted in lieu of RTV 2100.
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Media and Society
Required Core Coursework
- MMC 1009 Introduction to Media and Communication * (1)
- MMC 2121 Fundamentals of Writing for Communicators * (3)
- MMC 3203 Mass Communications Ethics * or
RTV 4432 Ethics and Problems in Telecommunication * (3)
- MMC 4200 Law of Mass Communication (3) or
RTV 4700 Telecommunication Law and Regulation
- RTV 2100 Writing for Electronic Media * (3)
- RTV 3001 Introduction to Telecommunication * (3)
- RTV 3405 Television and American Society (3)
- RTV 4905 Senior Project or Thesis (3)
- VIC 3001 Sight, Sound and Motion * (4)
- Media and Society block: 9 credits
- JOU 4004 History of Journalism (3)
- MMC 3614 Media and Politics (3)
- MMC 3703 Sports and Society (3)
- MMC 4302 World Communication Systems (3)
- RTV 3411 Race, Gender, Class and the Media (3)
- Specialization electives: 12 credits ***
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Recommended Semester Plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
| ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics |
4 |
| MUL 2010 Introduction to Music Literature (State Core GE-H/N) |
3 |
| THE 2000 Theatre Appreciation or ARH 2000 Art Appreciation (GE-H/D) |
3 |
| English elective (GE-C; ENC 1102 recommended) * |
3 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) * |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
| MMC 1009 Introduction to Media and Communication * |
1 |
| MMC 2121 Writing Fundamentals for Communicators * |
3 |
| RTV 3001 Introduction to Telecommunication * |
3 |
| English elective * |
3 |
| Foreign language * or quantitative option |
3 |
| Physical or Biological Science (GE-P or B) * |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
| POS 2041 American Federal Government (GE-S) |
3 |
| RTV 2100 Writing for Electronic Media ** |
3 |
SPC 2608 Introduction to Public Speaking or
ORI 2000 Oral Performance of Literature 1 * |
3 |
| VIC 3001 Sight, Sound and Motion * |
4 |
| Foreign language * or quantitative option |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
PSY 2012 General Psychology or
SYG 2000 Principles of Sociology (GE-S) |
3 |
| RTV 3405 Television and American Society |
3 |
| Media and Society block, one course |
3 |
| Outside concentration |
3 |
| Quantitative option or general elective |
2 |
| Specialization elective *** |
3 |
| Total |
17 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
| Electives inside college |
5 |
| Media and Society block, one course |
3 |
| Outside concentration |
3 |
| Specialization elective *** |
3 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
MMC 3203 Mass Communications Ethics * or
RTV 4432 Ethics and Problems in Telecommunication * |
3 |
RTV 4700 Telecommunication Law and Regulation or
MMC 4200 Law of Mass Communication |
3 |
| Media and Society block, one course |
3 |
| Outside concentration |
3 |
| Specialization elective *** |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| AMH 2010 United States to 1877 |
3 |
POS 2112 American State and Local Government or
CPO 2001 Comparative Politics or
INR 2001 Introduction to International Relations |
3 |
| RTV 4905 Senior Project or Thesis |
3 |
| Outside concentration |
3 |
| Specialization elective *** |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
Up to six credits of professional internship credit may count toward graduation.
* Minimum grade of C
** Minimum grade of C. MMC 2100 is accepted in lieu of RTV 2100.
*** Specialization electives: 12 credits required.
The following courses cannot be used to meet other requirements:
ADV 3008 Principles of Advertising or PUR 3000 Principles of Public Relations (3)
ADV 4400 International Advertising (3)
JOU 4302 Public Opinion/Editorial Analysis (3)
MMC 2265 Technology, Change and Communications (3)
MMC 3007 Media Literacy (3)
MMC 3260 Communication on the Internet or RTV 3106 Interactive Media (3)
MMC 4200 Law of Mass Communication (3)
PUR 4404C International Public Relations
RTV 4420 New Media Systems (3)
RTV 4500 Telecommunication Programming (3)
RTV 4506 Telecommunication Research (3)
RTV 4700 Telecom Law and Regulation (3)
RTV 4930 Special Study in Telecommunication (1-3)
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News
Required Core Coursework
- JOU 2040 Writing Mechanics * (1)
- JOU 3101 Reporting (3)
- JOU 3109C Writing for Multimedia * (3)
- MMC 1009 Introduction to Media and Communication * (1)
- MMC 3203 Mass Communications Ethics * or
RTV 4432 Ethics and Problems in Telecommunication * (3)
- MMC 4200 Law of Mass Communication (3)
- RTV 2100 Writing for Electronic Media * (3)
- RTV 3001 Introduction to Telecommunication * (3)
- RTV 3106 Interactive Media * (3)
- RTV 3303 Electronic News Writing and Reporting 1 * (3)
- RTV 3305 Investigative Reporting * (3)
- RTV 3405 Television and American Society (3)
- RTV 4301 Electronic News and Reporting 2 * (3)
- VIC 3001 Sight, Sound and Motion * (4)
- Electives inside college: 7 credits
- Professional electives in reporting: Select two courses
- RTV 3304 Advanced Radio Reporting (3)
- RTV 4302 Advanced TV Reporting
-or-
- Professional electives in producing: Select two courses
- RTV 3401 Electronic News Producing and Management (3)
- RTV 4340 Special News Projects (can be repeated once) (3)
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Recommended Semester Plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
| ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics (GE-S) |
4 |
| MUL 2010 Introduction to Music Literature (State Core GE-H/N) |
3 |
| THE 2000 Theatre Appreciation or ARH 2000 Art Appreciation (GE-H/D) |
3 |
| English elective (GE-C; ENC 1102 recommended) * |
3 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) * |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
| JOU 2040 Writing Mechanics * |
1 |
| MMC 1009 Introduction to Media and Communication * |
1 |
| RTV 3001 Introduction to Telecommunication * |
3 |
| English elective * |
3 |
| Elective inside college |
2 |
| Foreign language * or quantitative option |
3 |
| Physical or Biological Science (GE-P or B) * |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
| POS 2041 American Federal Government (GE-S) |
3 |
| RTV 2100 Writing for Electronic Media ** |
3 |
SPC 2608 Introduction to Public Speaking or
ORI 2000 Oral Performance of Literature 1 * |
3 |
| VIC 3001 Sight, Sound and Motion * |
4 |
| Foreign language * or quantitative option |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
| JOU 3109C Writing for Multimedia * |
3 |
| RTV 3303 Electronic News Writing and Reporting 1 * |
3 |
| RTV 3405 TV and American Society |
3 |
| Elective outside college |
2 |
| Outside concentration |
3 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
| JOU 3101 Reporting |
3 |
PSY 2012 General Psychology or
SYG 2000 Principles of Sociology (GE-S) |
3 |
| RTV 3106 Interactive Media * |
3 |
| RTV 4301 Electronic News and Reporting 2 * |
3 |
| Outside concentration |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
For semesters 7-8, students must complete two professional courses.
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
| AMH 2010 United States to 1877 |
3 |
| MMC 4200 Law of Mass Communication |
3 |
| RTV 3305 Investigative Reporting * |
3 |
| Elective inside college |
1 |
| Outside concentration |
3 |
Reporting professional elective or
Producing professional elective |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
MMC 3203 Mass Communication Ethics * or
RTV 4432 Ethics and Problems in Telecommunication * |
3 |
| Elective inside college |
4 |
| Elective outside college |
3 |
| Outside concentration |
3 |
Reporting professional elective or
Producing professional elective |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
Up to six credits of professional internship credit may count toward graduation.
* Minimum grade of C
** Minimum grade of C. MMC 2100 is accepted in lieu of RTV 2100
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Production
Required Core Coursework
- MMC 1009 Introduction to Media and Communication * (1)
- MMC 2121 Fundamentals of Writing for Communicators * (3)
- MMC 3203 Mass Communications Ethics * or
RTV 4432 Ethics and Problems in Telecommunication * (3)
- RTV 2100 Writing for Electronic Media * (3)
- RTV 3001 Introduction to Telecommunication * (3)
- RTV 3101 Advanced Writing for Electronic Media * (3)
- RTV 3320 Electronic Field Production * (3)
- RTV 3405 Television and American Society (3)
- RTV 3511 Fundamentals of Production * (3)
- RTV 4500 Telecommunication Programming (3)
- RTV 4700 Telecommunication Law and Regulation (3)
- RTV 4929C Senior Advanced Workshop in Telecommunication Production * (3)
- VIC 3001 Sight, Sound and Motion * (4)
- Electives inside college: 14 credits
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Recommended Semester Plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
| ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics |
4 |
| MUL 2010 Introduction to Music Literature (State Core GE-H/N) |
3 |
| THE 2000 Theatre Appreciation or ARH 2000 Art Appreciation (GE-H/D) |
3 |
| English elective (GE-C; ENC 1102 recommended) * |
3 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) * |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
| MMC 1009 Introduction to Media and Communication * |
1 |
| MMC 2121 Writing Fundamentals for Communicators * |
3 |
| RTV 3001 Introduction to Telecommunication * |
3 |
| English elective * |
3 |
| Foreign language * or quantitative option |
3 |
| Physical or Biological Science (GE-P or B) * |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
| POS 2041 American Federal Government (GE-S) |
3 |
| RTV 2100 Writing for Electronic Media ** |
3 |
SPC 2608 Introduction to Public Speaking or
ORI 2000 Oral Performance of Literature 1 * |
3 |
| VIC 3001 Sight, Sound and Motion * |
4 |
| Foreign language * or quantitative option |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
PSY 2012 General Psychology or
SYG 2000 Principles of Sociology (GE-S) |
3 |
| RTV 3101 Advanced Writing for Electronic Media * |
3 |
| RTV 3405 TV and American Society |
3 |
| Elective inside college |
3 |
| Outside concentration |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
| RTV 3511 Fundamentals of Production * |
3 |
| Electives inside college |
4 |
| Elective outside college |
5 |
| Outside concentration |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
For semesters 7-8, students must complete two professional courses.
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
| RTV 3320 Electronic Field Production * |
3 |
| RTV 4500 Telecommunication Programming |
3 |
| Elective inside college |
3 |
| Elective outside college |
3 |
| Outside concentration |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| RTV 4432 Ethics and Problems in Telecommunication * |
3 |
| RTV 4700 Telecommunication Law and Regulation |
3 |
| RTV 4929C Senior Advanced Workshop in Telecommunication Production * |
3 |
| Elective inside college |
4 |
| Outside concentration |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
Up to six credits of professional internship credit may count toward graduation.
* Minimum grade of C
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