Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication

BAUndergraduateCommunication & Media

About This Programme

All programs offered in the College of Communication are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation, Ministry of Education, UAE. And all programs offered in the College of Communication have received international accreditation from Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication ACEJMC. Academic Program Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication is the only program offered in the College of Communication in which the language of instruction is English. Other programs are taught mainly in Arabic. The Mass Communication program is presented in this English version of the Bulletin. Arabic-based programs are described in the Arabic version of the university bulletin. The Master of Arts in Communication program is described in the University Graduate Bulletin. Program Overview The B.A. in Mass Communication (MCE) is taught exclusively in English and involves a broad range of knowledge in Mass Communication. The program allows students to develop interest in certain areas of specializations through their graduation project. The MCE program includes both theoretical and practical/hands-on learning approaches. The program utilizes up-to-date facilities as broadcast studios, desktop publishing labs, News and multimedia labs and other instructional facilities that meet international standards in the field. The program empowers students with media knowledge, critical thinking, and most importantly, understanding media issues in their socio-economic and global contexts, in addition to skills necessary to work and compete in an advanced technological and global environment.

Course Highlights

  • 123 credit hours
  • Taught in English
  • College of Communication
  • Two concentrations
  • Study system: Courses
  • Full-time study

What You'll Study

Study plan: B.A in Mass Communication (English Program) Requirements (credit hours: compulsory / elective / total) • University: 18 / 6 / 24 • College: 18 / - / 18 • Concentration: 21 / 12 / 33 • Supportive: 42 / - / 42 • Free: - / 6 / 6 • Total: 99 / 24 / 123 Concentrations: Digital Media Studies; Media Production.

University compulsory courses (18 credit hours)

Six courses.

  • 0104100Islamic Culture3 credits
  • 0201102Arabic Language3 credits
  • 0202112English for Academic Purposes3 credits
  • 0204102UAE Society3 credits
  • 0302200Fund. of Innovation & Entrep.3 credits
  • 1501100Introduction to IT(English)3 credits

University elective courses, Group 1 (3 credit hours)

One course from each of the two groups.

  • 0103103Islamic System3 credits
  • 0104130Analytical Biog of the Prophet3 credits
  • 0201140Intro. to Arabic Literature3 credits
  • 0202130French Language3 credits
  • 0203100Islamic Civilization3 credits
  • 0203102History of the Arabian Gulf3 credits
  • 0203200Hist of Sciences among Muslims3 credits
  • 0206102Fundamentals/Islamic Education3 credits
  • 0206103Introduction to Psychology3 credits
  • 0302150Intro.to Bus for Non-Bus.3 credits
  • 0308131Personal Finance3 credits
  • 0308150Intro to Economics(Non-B)3 credits
  • 0602246Human Rights in Islam3 credits
  • 0700310Intro to Islamic Art & Design3 credits
  • 0710109Arts and Medicine3 credits
  • 0900107History of Medical and H.Sc.3 credits

University elective courses, Group 2 (3 credit hours)

One course.

  • 0401142Man and The Environment3 credits
  • 0503101Health and Safety3 credits
  • 0505101Fitness and Wellness3 credits
  • 0507101Health Awareness and Nutrition3 credits
  • 1430101Astro & Space Sciences3 credits
  • 1450100Biology and Society3 credits
  • 1502233Artificial Intelligence3 credits

College compulsory courses (18 credit hours)

Six courses.

  • 0808100Introduction to Communication3 credits
  • 0808102Media Writing and Editing I3 credits
  • 0808300Communication Theories3 credits

    Prerequisite: Intro to Communication (0808100)

  • 0808305Media Law and Ethics3 credits

    Prerequisite: Intro to Communication (0808100)

  • 0808307Research Meth.& Data Analytics3 credits

    Prerequisite: Intro to Communication (0808100)

  • 0808401Internship3 credits

    Prerequisite: 84 Credits

Concentration compulsory courses: Digital Media Studies (21 credit hours)

Seven courses (the study plan spells it “Digtal Media Studies”).

  • 0808215Media & Society3 credits
  • 0808301Information Society3 credits
  • 0808315Gender and Media3 credits

    Prerequisite: Intro to Communication (0808100)

  • 0808411Media Management3 credits
  • 0808413Int. & Intercultural Comm.3 credits

    Prerequisite: Intro to Communication (0808100)

  • 0808414Media Economics3 credits
  • 0808419Grad. Project in Digital Media Studies3 credits

    Prerequisite: Senior standing

The study plan prints 808419 for the graduation project, without the leading zero.

Concentration compulsory courses: Media Production (21 credit hours)

Seven courses.

  • 0808221Principles of Media Production3 credits
  • 0808323Audio Production3 credits

    Prerequisite: Principles of Media production (0808221)

  • 0808325Digital Storytelling3 credits

    Prerequisite: Principles of Media production (0808221)

  • 0808421Advanced Video Production3 credits

    Prerequisite: Principles of Media production (0808221)

  • 0808422Film and Video Editing3 credits

    Prerequisite: Principles of Media production (0808221)

  • 0808423Film and Video Directing3 credits

    Prerequisite: Principles of Media production (0808221)

  • 0808425Grad. Project in Media Prod.3 credits

    Prerequisite: Senior standing

The study plan prints this list’s codes without the leading zero (808221 and so on).

Concentration electives (12 credit hours)

Four courses.

  • 0808201Media in the UAE3 credits
  • 0808205Digital Media Design I3 credits

    Prerequisite: Intro to Communication (0808100)

  • 0808214Photojournalism3 credits
  • 0808221Principles of Media Production3 credits
  • 0808232Principles of Integrated Comm.3 credits

    Prerequisite: Intro to Communication (0808100)

  • 0808233Online Public Relations3 credits

    Prerequisite: Intro to Communication (0808100)

  • 0808323Audio Production3 credits

    Prerequisite: Principles of Media production (0808221)

  • 0808324Entrepreneur. & Start-up Media3 credits

    Prerequisite: Intro to Communication (0808100)

  • 0808325Digital Storytelling3 credits

    Prerequisite: Principles of Media production (0808221)

  • 0808331Integrated Comm. Campaigns3 credits

    Prerequisite: Intro to Communication (0808100)

  • 0808345Media Writing and Editing II3 credits

    Prerequisite: Media Writing and Editing I (0808102)

  • 0808421Advanced Video Production3 credits

    Prerequisite: Principles of Media production (0808221)

  • 0808422Film and Video Editing3 credits

    Prerequisite: Principles of Media production (0808221)

  • 0808423Film and Video Directing3 credits

    Prerequisite: Principles of Media production (0808221)

  • 0808443Data Journalism3 credits

    Prerequisite: Media Writing and Editing I (0808102)

  • 0808445Digital Media Design II3 credits

    Prerequisite: Digital Media Design I (0808205)

  • 0808447Special Topics in Comm.3 credits

The study plan heads this list “B- Concentration Compulsory Requirements 12 Credits 4 Courses”; its requirements table counts these 12 credit hours as elective.

Supportive compulsory courses (42 credit hours)

Fourteen courses.

  • 0202110Speech Communication3 credits
  • 0204202Sociological Texts in English3 credits
  • 0205111Intro to Political Sciences3 credits
  • 0205340Diplomacy3 credits
  • 0302160Principles of Management3 credits
  • 0302170Principles of Marketing3 credits
  • 0302254Business Communication3 credits
  • 0302262Organizational Behavior3 credits
  • 0302280Public Sector Management3 credits
  • 0302363Creative Think & Prob Solv3 credits
  • 0302370Consumer Behavior3 credits
  • 0302375Marketing Communications3 credits
  • 0503263Health Edu. & Health Prom.3 credits
  • 1501242Interactive Multimedia3 credits

Free elective courses (6 credit hours)

Two courses.

  • 0202108Extensive Reading3 credits
  • 0202130French Language3 credits
  • 0202227Critical Reading and Writing3 credits
  • 0203100Islamic Civilization3 credits
  • 0203334Historical Texts in English3 credits
  • 0203354Specialized English3 credits
  • 0205100Governance in the UAE3 credits
  • 0205160Intro. to Comparative Politics3 credits
  • 0205225Middle East in Int. Relations3 credits
  • 0205250Islamic Political System3 credits
  • 0205255Islamic World in IR3 credits
  • 0205270Refugees and Displacement3 credits
  • 0205280Theory of International Rel.3 credits
  • 0205281Globalization3 credits
  • 0205300International Law3 credits
  • 0205310International Organization3 credits
  • 0205319Environment and Sustain. Dev.3 credits
  • 0205337Great Powers Foreign Policy3 credits
  • 0205345International Political Econ.3 credits
  • 0205352International Programs3 credits
  • 0205390Foreign Policy3 credits
  • 0206101Introduction to Education3 credits
  • 0302150Intro.to Bus for Non-Bus.3 credits
  • 0302380Intro. to Public Policy3 credits
  • 0302467Strategic Management3 credits
  • 0303211Business Analytics3 credits
  • 0304449Foreign Policy of UAE3 credits
  • 0308131Personal Finance3 credits
  • 0308150Intro to Economics(Non-B)3 credits
  • 0308151Principles of Microeconomics3 credits
  • 0308255Princ. of Islamic Economics3 credits
  • 0401142Man and The Environment3 credits
  • 0405461Product Design&Innovation MGT3 credits
  • 0506496Environmental Ethics3 credits
  • 0507101Health Awareness and Nutrition3 credits

What You'll Learn

All programs offered in the College of Communication are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation, Ministry of Education, UAE. And all programs offered in the College of Communication have received international accreditation from Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication ACEJMC. Mass Communications is a broad field that encompasses journalism, broadcast media, public relations and the emerging field of new media. A mass communications student will explore the history and legal aspects of media, the impact of media on the greater culture as well as how different forms of media are produced. In the Mass Communication program at UoS, students will have the opportunity to develop the knowledge, theory, and skills that will assist them in securing employment in the ever-changing, broad field of Mass Communication. The degree allows students the flexibility to combine aspects of Journalism, Broadcasting, Public Relations, and New Media to focus on their interests and career goals

Entry Requirements

Academic: Admission requirements for this programme (Undergraduate Admissions page): • High school average: 70% for all tracks. • Applicants must have received at least 70% in their final secondary school grades (Elite, Advanced, Scientific, General, or Applied tracks) to join the Colleges of Sharia and Islamic Studies; Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Public Policy; Business Administration; Communication; and the Computing and Informatics program (Business Information System). The high school grades mentioned are those of the UAE educational curriculum (Advanced Track) or their equivalents as per the framework approved by the Ministry of Education. Students who did not achieve the required subjects grades in high school will be accepted conditionally and will have to register and pass alternative qualifying courses at the university, which is equivalent to zero credit hours and is not included in the calculation of the cumulative average. The University of Sharjah accepts students who are academically qualified and behaviorally distinguished, regardless of their nationality, color, religion, or disability. All applicants must satisfy the following basic admission requirements: • Completion of secondary education or an equivalent level with the required average attained no earlier than three years prior to joining the University. Applicants to the College of Medicine and Dental Medicine need to have finished their secondary education no more than one year previously. • The applicant should not have been expelled from the UoS or any other institution for academic or disciplinary reasons. • The applicant should be medically, physically, and mentally fit, and must provide evidence of immunization against major blood-borne viral infections in accordance with the requirements for their major. • Applicants should indicate their order of preference for majors on the application form. • Admitted students are allocated to the University's colleges within the limits of the approved number of seats for each college, based on the capacity of each program. This is done according to their preferences and their grades. Admission to the University of Sharjah is competitive, with priority given to citizens of the UAE and students with high secondary school grades. • Applicants should complete and submit the application form and required documents to the Admissions Department by the stated deadlines, and pay the application fee of AED 360. • Meeting the secondary education grade requirements, fulfilling other admission requirements, submitting the application, paying the application fee, and receiving an ID number does not guarantee admission to the University. Students are required to pay a reservation fee after meeting specific criteria on a competitive basis, in accordance with University policy. Student reservation fees are nonrefundable if the student withdraws or does not enroll in the University, and are applied toward tuition fees if the student enrolls in their program. • Applicants to the Colleges of Medicine and Dental Medicine pay a 1500 AED fee for their applications to be considered as part of the admissions competitive process. This fee is non-refundable if the applicant is rejected or withdraws from the university. • Applicants who are still enrolled in secondary school will receive conditional admission until their final results are submitted. Meeting the required conditions and the minimum grade based on competitive standards is mandatory. • Students accepted conditionally will be given a specific period of time according to the related undertaking, and they must fulfill the conditional admission requirements to continue studying at the university. • Professional diploma Certifications are not acceptable for admission into undergraduate programs. Admission Regulations and Academic Qualification Requirements: • The grade averages stated above represent the minimum requirements for admission to the University. Please note that students meeting the above average requirements are not guaranteed admission but are subject to the University's approved competitive admission regulations and standards. Conditional Admission and Remedial Courses: • Failure to Meet the Minimum Required Grades in Qualifying Secondary School Subjects: Students who do not satisfy the minimum grade requirements in the qualifying secondary school subjects may be granted conditional admission. Such students will be required to complete equivalent remedial courses during their first semester of study. These courses carry zero credit hours and are not included in the calculation of the cumulative GPA. Successful completion of the remedial courses is required in accordance with University regulations. • Opportunity to Repeat Remedial Courses: Students who fail a remedial course on their first attempt will be granted one additional opportunity to repeat and pass the course. • Continuation in the Academic Program: Students who fail to successfully complete the required remedial course(s) after exhausting the permitted repeat opportunity will not be allowed to continue in their current academic program and must transfer to another program that does not require the relevant qualifying subjects. • Exception - Colleges of Medicine and Dentistry: Applicants to the Colleges of Medicine and Dentistry must fully satisfy all qualifying subject grade requirements for direct and final admission. Conditional admission and remedial courses are not permitted under any circumstances.
English: Required English test for this programme: 5.5 in IELTS Academic, 61 in TOEFL (IBT), 500 in TOEFL (ITP) or its equivalent. Upon admission to UoS and prior to course registration, all students admitted to UoS (new, transfer and bridging) must demonstrate a level of English proficiency consistent with the requirement of their college. The certificate must be submitted to the Admission department through their Admission Services Portal to be reviewed and approved by the English Language Center at the UoS. Accepted tests: • IELTS (Academic): accepted from any country; accepted from IDP and British Council; UKVI version accepted; computer and paper based accepted; Home Edition not accepted. • TOEFL iBT: accepted; Home Edition not accepted. • TOEFL ITP: accepted only if taken at the University of Sharjah (UOS), AMIDEAST Dubai (Head Office) or AMIDEAST Abu Dhabi (Head Office). • PTE Academic: accepted; Home Edition not accepted. Important notes: • English proficiency test Certificates older than two years are not accepted. • Students who achieve a score of 5.5 in the IELTS test are exempted from remedial skill courses. • Students who couldn't obtain the required score in any of the above listed English Proficiency tests will be enrolled in an "Intensive English Program" course, in which their English level will be determined by the result of their English proficiency test. All students are placed in the Intensive English program with a recognized Language qualification. • The UoS reserves the right to require students to attend an interview in the Languages Institute. Students may be required to take a further in-house test to ensure their scores are consistent with their English Language proficiency.

Careers

The Program's broad-based curriculum opens up a plethora of career paths for graduates, both within the UAE and internationally. Program graduates can delve into the electronic media sector, honing skills in media composition, linguistic adaptation, cinematography, and visual editing, or steering towards creative direction, artistic management, and broadcast presentation, among various other specializations. Additionally, they have the potential to contribute to print media, such as newspapers and magazines, or to the advertising realm, focusing on graphic composition and website design. Furthermore, graduates are well-equipped to handle public relations responsibilities in diverse corporate environments.

Accreditation & Professional Recognition

Accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC).

Programme Details

Award

BA

Start Date

Fall and Spring

Duration

4 Years

Qualification

BA

Subject Area

Communication & Media

Study Pattern

Full time

Tuition Fee

AED 65,460/yr

Apply online through the University of Sharjah admissions portal. The undergraduate application fee is AED 360 and is non-refundable; applicants to the Colleges of Medicine and Dental Medicine pay AED 1,500 to be considered in the competitive process.

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