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.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.
Students choose one of four specializations:
- The Management and Strategy 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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Management and Strategy
Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan
Required Core Coursework
- ADV 3008 Principles of Advertising (3)
- JOU 3002 Understanding Audiences (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)
- RTV 2100 Writing for Electronic Media * (3)
- RTV 3001 Introduction to Telecommunication (3)
- RTV 3405 Television and American Society (3)
- RTV 4500 Telecommunication Programming (3)
- RTV 4506 Telecommunication Research (3) or
MMC 3420 Audience Analytics (3)
- RTV 4700 Telecommunication Law and Regulation (3)
- RTV 4800 Telecommunication Planning and Operations (Spring Only) (3)
- VIC 3001 Sight, Sound and Motion * (4)
- Electives inside college: 8 credits
- Operations Block: choose two; courses cannot be used to fulfill other requirements
- MMC 3420 Audience Analytics (3)
- RTV 4420 New Media Systems * (3)
- RTV 4506 Telecommunication Research * (Fall Only) (3)
- RTV 4XXX Digital Game Systems and Applications (3)
- RTV 4XXX Mobile Media and Apps (3)
- RTV 4811 Innovation in Media (3)
- RTV 4910 Undergraduate Research (with approval) (3)
- RTV 4930 Special Topics (with approval) (3)
* Minimum grade of C required
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Critical Tracking
Note that critical tracking is the same for all specializations of this major.
Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- Complete critical-tracking course STA 2023
- 2.0 GPA on all work at all institutions
Semester 2
- Complete 2 of 5 critical-tracking courses: ENC 1101, ECO 2013, MMC 1009, RTV 2100 (MMC 2100 can be substituted for RTV 2100), RTV 3001
- 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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Model Semester Plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.
Semester 1 |
Credits |
AMH 2020 United States since 1877 State Core GE-S |
3 |
ENC 1101 Expository and Argumentative Writing State Core GE-C; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
IUF 1000 What is the Good Life |
3 |
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 State Core GE-M; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Physical or Biological Science State Core GE-P or B; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Total |
15 |
Semester 2 |
Credits |
ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics |
4 |
MUL 2010 Experiencing Music 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; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Mathematics
GE-M; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Total |
16 |
Semester 3 |
Credits |
MMC 1009 Introduction to Media and Communication
Minimum grade of C required |
1 |
MMC 2121 Writing Fundamentals for Communicators
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
RTV 3001 Introduction to Telecommunication
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
English elective
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Foreign language (Minimum grade of C required) or Quantitative option |
3 |
Physical or Biological Science GE-P or B; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Total |
16 |
Semester 4 |
Credits |
POS 2041 American Federal Government GE-S |
3 |
RTV 2100 Writing for Electronic Media
Minimum grade of C required; MMC 2100 or JOU 3109C is accepted in lieu of RTV 2100 |
3 |
SPC 2608 Introduction to Public Speaking or ORI 2000 Oral Performance of Literature 1
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
VIC 3001 Sight, Sound and Motion
Minimum grade of C required |
4 |
Foreign language (Minimum grade of C required) or Quantitative option |
3 |
Total |
16 |
Semester 5 |
Credits |
JOU 3002 Understanding Audiences |
3 |
ADV 3008 Principles of Advertising |
3 |
RTV 3405 Television and American Society |
3 |
Business outside concentration |
4 |
Elective Outside college |
3 |
Total |
16 |
Semester 6 |
Credits |
PSY 2012 General Psychology or SYG 2000 Principles of Sociology (GE-S) |
3 |
RTV 4500 Telecommunication Programming |
3 |
Electives Inside college |
6 |
Operations block Course 1; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Total |
15 |
For semesters 7-8, students must complete two professional courses.
Semester 7 |
Credits |
RTV 4506 Telecommunication Research or MMC 3420 Audience Analytic |
3 |
RTV 4700 Telecommunication Law and Regulation |
3 |
Business outside concentration |
4 |
Elective Outside college |
2 |
Operations block Course 2; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
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
Minimum grade of C required |
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.
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Media and Society
Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan
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 3405 Television and American Society(3)
- RTV 4700 Telecommunication Law and Regulation or
MMC 4200 Law of Mass Communication (3)
- RTV 4905 or RTV 4910 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
* Minimum grade of C required
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Critical Tracking
Note that critical tracking is the same for all specializations of this major.
Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- Complete critical-tracking course STA 2023
- 2.0 GPA on all work at all institutions
Semester 2
- Complete 2 of 5 critical-tracking courses: ENC 1101, ECO 2013, MMC 1009, RTV 2100 (MMC 2100 can be substituted for RTV 2100), RTV 3001
- 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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Model Semester Plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.
Semester 1 |
Credits |
AMH 2020 United States since 1877 State Core GE-S |
3 |
ENC 1101 Expository and Argumentative Writing State Core GE-C; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
IUF 1000 What is the Good Life GE-H |
3 |
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 State Core GE-M; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Physical or Biological Science State Core GE-P or B; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Total |
15 |
Semester 2 |
Credits |
ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics |
4 |
MUL 2010 Experiencing Music 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; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Mathematics GE-M; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Total |
16 |
Semester 3 |
Credits |
MMC 1009 Introduction to Media and Communication
Minimum grade of C required |
1 |
MMC 2121 Writing Fundamentals for Communicators
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
RTV 3001 Introduction to Telecommunication
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
English elective
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Foreign language (Minimum grade of C required) or Quantitative option |
3 |
Physical or Biological Science GE-P or B; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Total |
16 |
Semester 4 |
Credits |
POS 2041 American Federal Government GE-S |
3 |
RTV 2100 Writing for Electronic Media
Minimum grade of C required; MMC 2100 or JOU 3109C is accepted in lieu of RTV 2100 |
3 |
SPC 2608 Introduction to Public Speaking or ORI 2000 Oral Performance of Literature 1
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
VIC 3001 Sight, Sound and Motion
Minimum grade of C required |
4 |
Foreign language (Minimum grade of C required) 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
Minimum grade of C required |
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 Individual Projects in Telecommunication or
RTV 4910 Telecommunication Undergraduate Research or
Thesis |
3 |
Outside concentration |
3 |
Specialization elective |
3 |
Total |
15 |
Up to six credits of professional internship credit may count toward graduation.
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Specialization Electives: 12 credits required
These 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 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
Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan
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: choose two courses
- RTV 3304 Advanced Radio Reporting (3)
- RTV 4302 Advanced TV Reporting
-or-
- Professional electives in producing: choose two courses
- RTV 3401 Electronic News Producing and Management (3)
- RTV 4340 Special News Projects (can be repeated once) (3)
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Critical Tracking
Note that critical tracking is the same for all specializations of this major.
Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- Complete critical-tracking course STA 2023
- 2.0 GPA on all work at all institutions
Semester 2
- Complete 2 of 5 critical-tracking courses: ENC 1101, ECO 2013, MMC 1009, RTV 2100 (MMC 2100 can be substituted for RTV 2100), RTV 3001
- 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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Model Semester Plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.
Semester 1 |
Credits |
AMH 2020 United States Since 1877 State Core GE-S |
3 |
ENC 1101 Expository and Argumentative Writing State Core GE-C; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
IUF 1000 What is the Good Life GE-H |
3 |
Statistics 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 State Core GE-M; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Physical or Biological Science State Core GE-P or B; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Total |
15 |
Semester 2 |
Credits |
ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics GE-S |
4 |
MUL 2010 Experiencing Music 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; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Mathematics GE-M; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Total |
16 |
Semester 3 |
Credits |
JOU 2040 Writing Mechanics
Minimum grade of C required |
1 |
MMC 1009 Introduction to Media and Communication
Minimum grade of C required |
1 |
RTV 3001 Introduction to Telecommunication
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
English elective
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Elective Inside college |
2 |
Foreign language (Minimum grade of C required) or Quantitative option |
3 |
Physical or Biological Science GE-P or B; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Total |
16 |
Semester 4 |
Credits |
POS 2041 American Federal Government GE-S |
3 |
RTV 2100 Writing for Electronic Media
Minimum grade of C required; MMC 2100 or JOU 3109C is accepted in lieu of RTV 2100 |
3 |
SPC 2608 Introduction to Public Speaking or ORI 2000 Oral Performance of Literature 1
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
VIC 3001 Sight, Sound and Motion
Minimum grade of C required |
4 |
Foreign language (Minimum grade of C required) or Quantitative option |
3 |
Total |
16 |
Semester 5 |
Credits |
JOU 3109C Writing for Multimedia
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
RTV 3303 Electronic News Writing and Reporting 1
Minimum grade of C required |
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
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
RTV 4301 Electronic News and Reporting 2
Minimum grade of C required |
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
Minimum grade of C required |
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
Minimum grade of C required |
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.
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Production
Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan
Required Core Coursework
- JOU 2040 Writing Mechanics* (1)
- MMC 1009 Introduction to Media and Communication * (1)
- MMC 3203 Mass Communications Ethics * or
RTV 4432 Ethics and Problems in Telecommunication * (3)
- RTV 2100 Writing for Electronic Media * (3)
- RTV 3512 Electronic Field Production II (4)
- 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: 12 credits
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Critical Tracking
Note that critical tracking is the same for all specializations of this major.
Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- Complete critical-tracking course STA 2023
- 2.0 GPA on all work at all institutions
Semester 2
- Complete 2 of 5 critical-tracking courses: ENC 1101, ECO 2013, MMC 1009, RTV 2100 (MMC 2100 can be substituted for RTV 2100), RTV 3001
- 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
Back to Top
Model Semester Plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
Semester 1 |
Credits |
AMH 2020 United States Since 1877 State Core GE-S |
3 |
ENC 1101 Expository and Argumentative Writing State Core GE-C; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
IUF 1000 What is the Good Life |
3 |
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 State Core GE-M; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Physical or Biological Science State Core GE-P or B; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Total |
15 |
Semester 2 |
Credits |
ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics |
4 |
MUL 2010 Experiencing Music 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; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Mathematics GE-M; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Total |
16 |
Semester 3 |
Credits |
JOU 2040 Writing Mechanics |
1 |
MMC 1009 Introduction to Media and Communication
Minimum grade of C required |
1 |
RTV 3001 Introduction to Telecommunication
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
English elective
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Foreign language (Minimum grade of C required) or Quantitative option |
3 |
Physical or Biological Science GE-P or B; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Total |
14 |
Semester 4 |
Credits |
POS 2041 American Federal Government GE-S |
3 |
RTV 2100 Writing for Electronic Media
Minimum grade of C required; MMC 2100 is accepted in lieu of RTV 2100 |
3 |
SPC 2608 Introduction to Public Speaking or ORI 2000 Oral Performance of Literature 1
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
VIC 3001 Sight, Sound and Motion
Minimum grade of C required |
4 |
Foreign language (Minimum grade of C required) 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
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
RTV 3405 TV and American Society |
3 |
RTV 3511 Fundamentals of Production |
3 |
Outside concentration |
3 |
Total |
15 |
Semester 6 |
Credits |
RTV 3320 Electronic Field Production
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Electives inside college |
5 |
Elective outside college |
5 |
Outside concentration |
3 |
Total |
16 |
For semesters 7-8, students must complete two professional courses.
Semester 7 |
Credits |
RTV 3512 Electronic Field Production II |
4 |
RTV 4500 Telecommunication Programming |
3 |
RTV 4929C Senior Advanced Workshop in Telecommunication Production
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Elective Outside college |
3 |
Outside concentration |
3 |
Total |
16 |
Semester 8 |
Credits |
RTV 4432 Ethics and Problems in Telecommunication
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
RTV 4700 Telecommunication Law and Regulation |
3 |
Electives Inside college |
7 |
Outside concentration |
3 |
Total |
16 |
Up to six credits of professional internship credit may count toward graduation.
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Related Telecommunication Programs
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