BSConcentrationMinor

Mass Communication

Step behind the camera, into the newsroom or help shape the stories that move our world. At UNC Pembroke, a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication helps you find your voice, sharpen your message and reach your audience. Focus on broadcasting, public relations, journalism or communication studies. No matter your path, you’ll build the skills, experience and relationships to launch your career in today’s fast-moving media world.

Degrees

Online Options

BSBachelor of Science

ConcentrationConcentration

MinorMinor

College of Arts & Sciences

Department of Mass Communication

Professor Dollard instructs a black male student in using a TV studio camera while a white female student looks on in the Mass Communication TV Studio at UNC Pembroke.

Focus Areas

Broadcasting, Communication Studies, Journalism, Public Relations

Apply Now

Choose from four distinct tracks that blend hands-on experience with real-world application and a strong liberal arts foundation. Complete a shared core of mass communication courses, a required internship and a capstone experience that ties it all together.

Broadcasting

Get ready to roll — literally. In the broadcasting track, you’ll use UNCP’s newly refurbished television studio, a wealth of field equipment and post-production facilities. You'll work on real programming and other productions, including news, talk and sports. Courses focus on TV production, video editing, directing, podcasting, drones and more. You'll graduate with the skills, knowledge and experience to step into a variety of televisual media careers.

Communications Studies

If you’re interested in human connection and how media shape our world, but don’t see yourself working in a newsroom or press office — the communication studies track is for you. You’ll study topics such as interpersonal communication, organizational communication, speech and media literacy. Plus, this track doesn't follow a rigid course sequence. You’ll have more flexibility to choose courses that match your interests.

Journalism

Tell the stories that matter. The journalism track immerses you in the world of digital and print reporting. Work in the award-winning Pine Needle newsroom. Train on the industry-standard Adobe Creative suite, and earn journalistic photography through laboratory instruction and field experience. Plus you'll write for the Pine Needle’s print and web editions. Graduate with a polished portfolio that opens doors in local news, sports journalism and multimedia nonfiction.

Public Relations

In the public relations track, you’ll become the strategist behind the story. Courses include social media, crisis communication and public relations writing. Your capstone project gives you real-world experience by pairing you with a nonprofit or commercial client. Build your experience while managing communication campaigns that have purpose and impact. Whether you want to go into the fields of publicity, social media management or strategic communication, you’ll be ready to lead.

Minor in Broadcasting

A broadcasting minor is perfect for anyone who wants to add audiovisual media skills to their toolkit. This minor gives you hands-on experience with TV studio production, single-camera field production, scripting and editing in professionally equipped facilities. Skills that will make your resume stand out.

Explore Minor Requirements

UNC Pembroke Mass Communication student working a broadcasting studio camera in the UNCP TV station.

Minor in Journalism

Sharpen your writing, find your voice and become a strong investigator and storyteller. The journalism minor gives you the insight you need to gather and share information publicly and professionally. You’ll have choices from among classes in reporting, news editing and multimedia production. Build skills that are essential in today’s information-driven world.

Explore Minor Requirements

Mass Communication student interviews Chancellor Robin Cummings, for the student news paper, about the new Mass Communication studio at UNC Pembroke.

Minor in Public Relations

Master the art of messaging. This minor equips you with the skills and knowledge to develop, manage and promote public-facing campaigns in any field. It pairs especially well with a major in marketing or political science.

Explore Minor Requirements

Dr. Emelia Bak teaching public relations at UNC Pembroke, as it relates to shaping perceptions through social media. Dr. Bak stands in front of a large monitor displaying information about various social media tools.

Brief History

Before there was a Department of Mass Communication, before Pembroke State University transformed into UNC Pembroke, the television studio in Old Main was helping students reach their goal of a career in broadcasting. For five decades, the television studio has been a classroom and professional production facility, hosting countless shows – talk, sitcoms, news, concerts and more – giving students and the Pembroke community the opportunity to entertain and inform viewers.

These broadcast operations support, and are supported by, academic coursework in the Department of Mass Communication. In modeling "real world" production and programming scenarios, they provide relevant, hands-on experiences by which students can acquire and hone technical skills and put theory into practice. Student producers, production assistants, and programming clerks can earn progressively responsible positions in WNCP operations for academic credit, employment, or on a volunteer basis, under the supervision of the broadcast faculty and staff.

UNCP student in TV studio

Student-Led, Professionally Produced Campus Newscast

Carolina News Today is the award-winning flagship student news broadcast from UNC Pembroke’s WNCP‑TV, crafted weekly by aspiring journalists enrolled in Mass Communication's broadcast practicum. Under the guidance of faculty like Dr. Cle Cousins and Dr. Kevin Swift, the show delivers on-campus and community news with professional standards.

With its blend of timely reporting, student leadership and broadcast excellence, Carolina News Today continues to be a cornerstone of WNCP‑TV’s educational mission — training the next generation of media professionals through real-world storytelling and live production.

Dr. Litty in Mass Comm class with students UNCP

View Episodes

Spotlight on Pop‑Culture Through Student Eyes

Comic Culture is a nationally recognized television series hosted and produced by Terence Dollard, chair of Mass Communication. As the only weekly program airing on PBS from a UNC System school, it offers a unique platform where pop culture, graphic novels and media trends take center stage. Broadcast on PBS NC’s NC Channel and streaming on PBS.org, the show also serves as a hands-on learning lab for UNCP broadcast students who work behind the scenes and get on-screen credit on every episode.

In 2024, Comic Culture earned an Award of Excellence from the Communicator Awards, underscoring its professional quality and educational impact. The series continues to elevate pop culture conversation while giving students real-world production experience that prepares them for careers in media and television.

comic culture UNCP mass comm studio

Watch Episodes

WNCP-TV

Brief History

Carolina News Today

Student-Led, Professionally Produced Campus Newscast

View Episodes

Comic Culture

Spotlight on Pop‑Culture Through Student Eyes

Watch Episodes

Learning extends beyond the classroom. Build your portfolio and professional network through immersive experiences right on campus.

Mass Communications student in the TV studio control room at the control board, switching live cameras for a show.

Student Media

Want to anchor a newscast? Investigate and report breaking news? Lead a student media team? You'll find the right outlet at UNCP:

WNCP-TV: Produce video programming that's distributed on professional broadcast and streaming platforms
The Pine Needle: Report, edit and publish award-winning stories in print and online
Indianhead: Work on the yearbook as a writer, editor, designer or photographer

Public Relations student in the classroom at UNC Pembroke.

Mass Comm Student Club

Network and collaborate with peers and mentors
Attend industry conferences
Build skills in professional development workshops

After UNCP

I learned that everybody has a story and that you need to find what makes you stand out and what makes you unique. Then take that and use it to share how you can be authentic, relatable and emotional to engage your audiences.

Synaraa Peterson

Public Relations Student