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The BS in Media, Culture, and Communication is a 128-credit program that foregrounds the historical, political, and cultural dimensions of media and technology. As an MCC major, you’ll gain the tools to research, analyze, and understand complex media landscapes in local and global contexts. 

You are encouraged to take advantage of the courses we offer abroad, for example through our Global Media Scholars Program, to cultivate your knowledge of the production, circulation, and reception of media around the world. 

Opportunities to apply your theoretical coursework in practice can be sought through the degree’s Professional Electives, by completing the optional Internship Program, and/or the BEMT minor, among other pathways.

Major Requirements

The degree’s core requirements prepare you to think deeply and broadly about media through a critical lens. Through a strong liberal arts preparation, you’ll explore an expansive definition of what constitutes media; more than just print, television, or the Internet, you’ll consider everything from video games to wearable technology, artificial intelligence, social media, political campaigns, and urban design. 

“Core” courses survey the field of media studies, introducing you to media history, media theory, and research methods. These three courses cover essential approaches to media analysis and provide opportunities to apply methods like survey and data collection, media production, and ethnographic fieldwork.

Subsequent "Framing" courses offer an overview of particular sub-fields in media studies exposing you to the scholarly questions, theories, and debates within the major’s five Areas of Study. "Focus" courses allow you to explore specific topics in depth.

Areas of Study

Global Communication and Media courses examine global media production, circulation and consumption in relation to citizenship and identity, immigration and diasporas, human rights and social movements, political-economic inequalities, and geopolitics.

Visual Culture and Sound Studies courses focus on the ways that visual and sound media shape everyday life on and offline, especially through politics and power.

Technology and Society courses focus on information and communication technologies and their social, political and ethical implications.

Media Industries and Politics courses examine the political economy of media and information industries, the use of media to shape and mobilize public opinion, social movements, and electoral politics.

Interaction and Experience courses explore how we relate to ourselves, each other, and the material world in various social, cultural, and technological contexts. 

Professional Electives

Designed to allow you to further tailor your degree, Professional Electives can be taken in or out of the department in consultation with your advisor. Choose from MCC professional electives in social-impact advertising, marketing innovations, public relations, or non-MCC classes in Business, Journalism, Computer Science, Film & Television, and Arts, among other programs.

MCC-UE 1051: Social Impact: Advertising for Social Good (4 Credits)

MCC-UE 1052: Social Impact: Copywriting & Content Strategy (4 Credits)

MCC-UE 1053: Social Impact: Artistic Activism (4 Credits)

MCC-UE 1100: Internship: Communication Studies (2 - 4 Credits)

MCC-UE 1740: Interviewing Strategies (2 Credits)

MCC-UE 1755: Public Relations: Principles and Practices (4 Credits)

MCC-UE 1760: Innovations in Marketing (4 Credits)

MCC-UE 1775: Advertising and Marketing (4 Credits)

MCC-UE 1780: Advertising Campaigns in Context (4 Credits)

MCC-UE 1805: Public Speaking (4 Credits)

Program Requirements

Course Title Credits
Liberal Arts Requirements
Foreign Language
Select eight credits of a foreign language8
Expository Writing
EXPOS-UA 1Writing as Inquiry4
ACE-UE 110Advanced College Essay: Educ & The Professions4
Foundations of Contemporary Culture
Texts and Ideas4
Cultures and Contexts4
Expressive Culture4
Societies & Social Sciences4
Foundations of Scientific Inquiry
Quantitative Reasoning4
Life/Physical Science (two 4-credit courses)8
Liberal Arts Electives
Select 16 Liberal Arts elective credits16
Unrestricted Electives
Select 16 Unrestricted Elective credits16
Additional Requirements
SAHS-UE 1New Student Seminar0
Writing Proficiency Examination
Major Requirements
Core Courses
MCC-UE 1Introduction to Media Studies4
MCC-UE 3History of Media & Comm4
MCC-UE 14Methods in Media Studies4
MCC-UE 1200Inquiry Seminar4
MCC Areas of Study: Framing Courses
Select any three Framing courses from any of the following areas of study:12
Global Communication and Media
Visual Culture and Sound Studies
Interaction and Experience
Media Industries and Politics
Technology and Society
MCC Areas of Study: Focus Courses
Select any four Focus courses from any of the following areas of study:16
Global Communication and Media
Visual Culture and Sound Studies
Interaction and Experience
Media Industries and Politics
Technology and Society
Professional Electives
Choose from MCC professional electives or, in consultation with your advisor, choose non-MCC classes that you deem useful to your professional goals.8
Total Credits128

Sample Plan of Study

Note: This is a suggested program of study and semester-to-semester plan; MCC requires that students earn a grade of B- or better in their core curriculum (MCC-UE 1, 3, and 14).

Plan of Study Grid
1st Semester/TermCredits
MCC-UE 1/9001 Introduction to Media Studies 4
EXPOS-UA 1
or EXPOS-UA 4
Writing as Inquiry
or International Writing Workshop I
4
SAHS-UE 1 New Student Seminar 0
College Core Requirement 4
College Core Requirement 4
 Credits16
2nd Semester/Term
MCC-UE 3/9003 History of Media & Comm 4
ACE-UE 110/EXPOS-UA 9
or EXPOS-UA 9
Advanced College Essay: Educ & The Professions
or International Writing Workshop II
4
College Core Requirement 4
College Core Requirement 4
 Credits16
3rd Semester/Term
MCC-UE 1XXX Area of Study Framing course 4
MCC-UE 1XXX Area of Study Framing course 4
MCC-UE 14 Methods in Media Studies 4
College Core Requirement 4
 Credits16
4th Semester/Term
MCC-UE 1XXX Area of Study Framing course 4
MCC-UE 1200 Inquiry Seminar 4
College Core Requirement 4
Liberal Arts Electives 4
 Credits16
5th Semester/Term
MCC-UE 1XXX Area of Study Focus course 4
Foreign Language 4
College Core Requirement 4
Liberal Arts Electives 4
 Credits16
6th Semester/Term
MCC-UE 1XXX Area of Study Focus course 4
Foreign Language 4
Liberal Arts Electives 4
Unrestricted Electives 4
 Credits16
7th Semester/Term
MCC-UE 1XXX Area of Study Focus course 4
Liberal Arts Electives 4
Professional Elective 4
Unrestricted Electives 4
 Credits16
8th Semester/Term
MCC-UE 1XXX Area of Study Focus course 4
Professional Elective 4
Unrestricted Electives 4
Unrestricted Electives 4
 Credits16
 Total Credits128

You must earn a B- or better to use the core course toward the MCC major or minor. You are allowed one unique opportunity to retake a core course during your time in the program. Students receiving below a B- in two or more MCC core courses will have to explore other options for majoring at NYU.

If you have taken the NODEP-UA 9982 Experiential Learning Seminar at the NYU-LA campus, you have an exception to the 6 credit internship maximum in order to complete this required course at the NYU-LA campus. The 2 credit differential from taking the NODEP-UA course can count toward your liberal arts elective requirements, unrestricted electives, or professional electives.

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