Montana State University

What you'll study

This programme balances theoretical study of media, communication and society with practical training in contemporary production tools. Core areas include media theory and history, media effects and audience research, ethics and law, strategic communication, and multimedia storytelling. Students progress from foundational courses to specialised electives and a capstone project or internship.

• Foundations of Communication and Media – introduction to media systems, key concepts in communication, and the role of media in public life.
• Media Theory and History – study of major theoretical approaches and historical developments in mass and digital media.
• Research Methods for Media – qualitative and quantitative methods, survey design, content analysis and basic statistics applied to media research.
• Digital and Multimedia Production – hands-on coursework in audio and video production, editing, storytelling for web and mobile, and multimedia publishing tools.
• Journalism and News Writing – reporting, news writing, editing and ethical considerations for contemporary news environments.
• Public Relations and Strategic Communication – principles of PR, campaign planning, branding, crisis communication and media relations.
• Social Media Strategy – audience engagement, analytics, content strategy and platform-specific practices for social media.
• Media Law and Ethics – legal frameworks affecting media practice and ethical decision-making across professions.
• Electives and Specialisations – opportunities to focus on areas such as film production, documentary, advertising, sports communication, or political communication.
• Capstone, Internship or Senior Project – applied project or supervised internship that integrates theoretical knowledge with practical experience.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised secondary school qualification or equivalent. Montana State University considers the overall academic record, strength of writing, and relevant extracurricular experience. Recommended preparation includes coursework in English, social studies, media, or related subjects. Transfer applicants must submit college transcripts and any relevant portfolio materials.

International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through recognised tests or prior education in English, in line with university policy. Admissions may also consider a short writing sample or examples of media work for applicants seeking emphasis in production or journalism.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for a range of careers across media, communications and related sectors. Typical roles include:

• Reporter, editor or digital journalist
• Public relations or communications officer
• Social media manager and content strategist
• Multimedia producer, video editor or broadcast assistant
• Advertising account executive or media planner
• Communications specialist in government, non-profits or corporate settings
• Research analyst, audience insight or media evaluation roles

Many graduates build portfolios through coursework and internships, which supports entry into local and regional media outlets, creative agencies, and corporate communications teams. The programme also provides a foundation for graduate study in media, journalism, communication or related fields.

Why study at Montana State University

Montana State University offers small class sizes that allow close interaction with faculty who combine academic expertise and professional experience. The university provides practical access to production facilities, editing suites and multimedia labs, plus opportunities to work with campus media outlets. Located in Bozeman, students benefit from a dynamic regional media scene and distinctive natural settings for documentary and location-based production.

Students can gain professional experience through internships with local broadcasters, PR firms and cultural organisations, and through MSU career services and industry connections. Study abroad options and interdisciplinary collaboration with arts and journalism programmes further broaden learning and career pathways.