School of Communication and Design

Within the College of Music & Media, the School of Communication & Design offers the following academic major programs and academic minor programs at the undergraduate level. An academic program is a student's degree and major. Each academic program listed in the University Bulletin outlines what courses requirements students need for successful completion of the program. 
 
Academic Programs

Detailed curriculum for each program is listed below. Courses can be viewed in the Course Catalog.

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Art Programs

Art programs engage in the disciplines of art history and visual culture, computer-based imaging, drawing, motion graphics, painting, photography, print design, printmaking and sculpture. 

Art History Minor

Students complete 18 credit hours of the following coursework with a 2.0 GPA.

  • ARTH O160 Intro to Art History 1
  • ARTH O162 Intro to Art History 2
  • ARTH O215 Modern Art
  • Art History electives for 9 crs, chosen in consultation with an Art History advisor. Eligible courses include, but are not limited to: 
    • ARTH O206 Music & Art in the Middle Ages & Renaissance
    • ARTH O220 Medieval Art
    • ARTH O236 Women in Art
    • ARTH O243 Art & History of the Book
    • ARTH O275 Art & the Jesuits in Early Modern Rome
    • ARTH H295 Medieval Desire & Devotion
    • ARTH M300 Art After Modernism
    • ARTH M350 Aesthetics
    • ARTH O305 Italian Renaissance Art
    • ARTH O310 Art Between the Wars
    • DSGN M271 Design History 1
    • DSGN M272 Design History 2
    • Eligible courses from Classical Studies (CLHU) and Mass Communications (CMMN) as directed by the Art History advisor
       
  • Design majors taking an Art History minor may substitute DSGN M272 Design Thinking 2 with ARTH O215 Modern Art
     
  • Art History Minor Tracking Sheet (ARTH). The tracking sheet serves as a helpful checklist of courses for the minor. Use this form in consultation with your advisor to help schedule your coursework. 

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Design Programs

The Department of Design students will explore analog methods (drawing, hand lettering, screen printing, letterpress) and digital methods to create projects using electronic media, typographic design, publication design, photojournalism, advertising illustration photography, and color management. A list of Design faculty and staff can be viewed on the department website.

Graphic Design

The Bachelor of Design, Graphic Design major is a 120 semester credit hour academic program. Students will complete Loyola Core requirements, major requirements, and either focus tracks or general electives. Completion of this academic program requires a 2.0 GPA in the major curriculum and a 2.0 GPA in the Loyola cumulative curriculum.

  • Overview of requirements: 120 credit hours (crs) required for completion
    • Loyola Core: 39 crs
    • Design Lecture Forum: 8 semesters at 0 crs
    • Graphic Design major: 72 crs
    • Electives: 9 crs
    • Progression regulations
    • Transfer credit portfolio review
       
  • Loyola Core: majors complete the full scope of the Loyola Core with 39 crs in Loyola Core requirement areas. Modifications include 
    • Foundations Math can be satisfied by: 
      • COSC A211 Intro to Programming 1
      • MATH A115 Intro to Finite Math
      • MATH T122 Math Models
    • Creative Arts & Cultures requirement satisfied by Art History in the major
       
  • Design Lecture Forum: 0 crs
    • Students take a Forum for 0 crs each semester for a total of 8.  
       
  • Graphic Design Major. Students complete the following courses for 72 crs: 
    • ARTH O160 Intro to Art History 1
    • ARTH O162 Intro to Art History 2
    • Choose one of the following: 
      • SPCH A100 Fundamentals of Speech
      • THEA M220 Acting 1
    • DSGN M202 Intro to Design
    • DSGN M210 Design Photography
    • DSGN M220 Illustration Design
    • DSGN M271 Design History 1
    • DSGN M272 Design History 2
    • DSGN M275 Print Design & Narrative
    • DSGN M276 Interactive Design & Narrative 1
    • DSGN M278 Typography Lab 1
    • DSGN M279 Typography Lab 2
    • Choose one of the following:
      • VISA A200 Drawing 1
      • VISA A201 Drawing 2 
    • DSGN M325 Interactive Design & Narrative 2
    • DSGN M326 Motion Design & Narrative 1
    • DSGN M377 Social/Political Design
    • DSGN M400 Design Topics
    • DSGN M475 UX Design Practicum
    • DSGN M476 Business of Design
    • DSGN M480 Design Capstone Course
    • DSGN M485 Design Internship
    • Major Electives for 6 crs: Choose two courses from Design (DSGN) or Visual Arts (VISA)
       
  • Electives: Students choose any three electives for a total of 9 crs in consultation with an advisor. 
     
  • Progression requirements: 
    • Bachelor of Design majors must demonstrate a basic content knowledge and functional proficiency at the end of each class year as follows: A grade of C- or better is required  in all DSGN, VISA, and major courses. Students who lack such knowledge and proficiency will be advised to retake courses in which a grade less than C- was received. 
    • To achieve junior standing in the Bachelor of Design program, students in the second semester of their sophomore year must pass a design review/critique. Conducted by a panel of Design faculty, this is a review of all work in the program at that point.
       
  • DSGN Graphic Design Degree Program Course Listing (DPCL). The DPCL serves as a helpful checklist of requirements for each program. Use this form in consultation with your advisor to plan your schedule.

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Interactive Design

The Bachelor of Design, Interactive Design major is a 120 semester credit hour academic program. Students will complete Loyola Core requirements, major requirements, and either focus tracks or general electives. Completion of this academic program requires a 2.0 GPA in the major curriculum and a 2.0 GPA in the Loyola cumulative curriculum.

  • Overview of requirements: 120 credit hours (crs) required for completion
    • Loyola Core: 39 crs
    • Design Lecture Forum: 8 semesters at 0 crs
    • Graphic Design major: 66 crs
    • Focus or Electives: 15 crs
    • Progression regulations
    • Transfer credit portfolio review
       
  • Loyola Core: majors complete the full scope of the Loyola Core with 39 crs in Loyola Core requirement areas. Modifications include 
    • Foundations Math can be satisfied by: 
    • COSC A211 Intro to Programming 1
    • MATH A115 Intro to Finite Math
    • MATH T122 Math Models
    • Creative Arts & Cultures requirement satisfied by Art History in the major
       
  • Design Lecture Forum: 0 crs
    • Students a Forum for 0 crs each semester for a total of 8.  
       
  • Interactive Design Major. Students complete the following courses for 66 crs: 
    • ARTH O160 Intro to Art History 1
    • ARTH O162 Intro to Art History 2
    • DSGN M202 Intro to Design
    • DSGN M210 Design Photography
    • DSGN M220 Illustration Design
    • DSGN M271 Design History 1
    • DSGN M272 Design History 2
    • DSGN M275 Print Design & Narrative
    • DSGN M276 Interactive Design & Narrative 1
    • DSGN M278 Typography Lab 1
    • DSGN M279 Typography Lab 2
    • Choose one of the following:
      • VISA A200 Drawing 1
      • VISA A201 Drawing 2 
    • DSGN M325 Interactive Design & Narrative 2
    • DSGN M326 Motion Design & Narrative 1
    • DSGN M330 UX Design Lab
    • DSGN M332 UX Design Product Development
    • DSGN M376 Motion Design & Narrative 2
    • DSGN M400 Design Topics
    • DSGN M475 UX Design Practicum
    • DSGN M480 Design Capstone Course
    • DSGN M485 Design Internship
    • VISA M474 Electronic Multimedia 2
       
  • Electives. In consultation with an advisor, students choose five electives for a total of 15 crs. 
     
  • Progression requirements: 
    • Bachelor of Design majors must demonstrate a basic content knowledge and functional proficiency at the end of each class year as follows: A grade of C- or better is required  in all DSGN, VISA, and major courses. Students who lack such knowledge and proficiency will be advised to retake courses in which a grade less than C- was received. 
    • To achieve junior standing in the Bachelor of Design program, students in the second semester of their sophomore year must pass a design review/critique. Conducted by a panel of Design faculty, this is a review of all work in the program at that point.
       
  • DSGN Interactive Design Degree Program Course Listing (DPCL). The DPCL serves as a helpful checklist of requirements for each program. Use this form in consultation with your advisor to plan your schedule. 

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Design Minor.

Students complete 21 credit hours of the following coursework with a 2.0 GPA.

  • DSGN M202 Intro to Design
  • DSGN M271 Design History 1
  • DSGN M272 Design History 2
  • DSGN M275 Print Design & Narrative
  • DSGN M278 Typography Lab 1
  • DSGN M279 Typography Lab 2
  • Choose one of the following courses for 3 crs:
    • DSGN M276 Interactive Design & Narrative 1
    • DSGN M326 Motion Design & Narrative 1 
       
  • DSGN Minor Tracking Sheet. The tracking sheet serves as a helpful checklist of courses for the minor. Use this form in consultation with your advisor to help schedule your coursework.

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Digital Filmmaking Programs

The Department of Digital Filmmaking activates the skills students need to develop relationships, manage projects, and create original works. A list of Digital Filmmaking faculty and staff can be viewed on the department website.

Digital Filmmaking

The Bachelor of Fine Arts, Digital Filmmaking major is a 120 semester credit hour academic program. Students will complete Loyola Core requirements, major requirements, Film Colloquium requirements, and general electives. Completion of this academic program requires a 2.0 GPA in the major curriculum and a 2.0 GPA in the Loyola cumulative curriculum.

  • Overview of requirements: 120 credit hours (crs) required for completion
    • Loyola Core: 39 crs
    • Film Colloquium: 8 crs (1cr per semester)
    • Digital Filmmaking major: 63 crs
    • Electives: 10 crs 
    • Progression regulations
       
  • Loyola Core - majors complete the full scope of the Loyola Core with 39 crs in Loyola Core requirement areas. Modifications include:
    • Creative Arts & Cultures requirement is satisfied in the Film Theory area of the major curriculum
       
  • FILM M100 Film Colloquium (1 cr). Digital Filmmaking majors must enroll in this course for each of 8 semesters. 
     
  • Film Business Area - complete the following courses for 12 crs: 
    • FILM M110 Intro to the Business of Film
    • FILM M120 Development & Distribution
    • MUIN M201 Arts & Entertainment Legal Issues 1
    • FILM M297 Film Internship Preparation
    • FILM M397 Film Internship
  • Story Development Area - complete the following courses for 6 crs: 
    • FILM A213 Screenwriting I
    • FILM A214 Screenwriting II
  • Production Area - complete the following courses for 21 crs: 
    • FILM M115 Intro to Digital Filmmaking
    • FILM M220 Audio for Film & TV
    • FILM M125 Script to Screen
    • FILM M215 Cinematography
    • FILM M315 Directing for Camera
    • FILM M340 Documentary Filmmaking
    • FILM M450 Senior Film Project (Fall)
  • Post-Production Area - complete the following courses for 12 crs: 
    • FILM M410 Post-Production Supervision
    • FILM M230 Digital Editing
    • FILM M420 Post-Production Workshop in Sound
    • FILM M450 Senior Film Project (Spring) 
  • Application Elective - choose one of the following courses for 3 crs: 
    • FILM M210 Practical Film Lighting
    • FILM M310 Visual Effects
    • FILM M320 Digital Pre-Visualization
    • MUIN M335 Music Supervision
    • HIST A404 Documentary & Oral Histories
    • MUGN M435 Film Scoring
  • Film Studies - complete the following courses for 6 crs: 
    • ENGL A270 History of Film
    • FILM M150 Film Theory & Process
       
  • Film Electives - complete 6 crs of coursework in consultation with an advisor. 
  • Progression Requirements: 
    • Digital Filmmaking majors must demonstrate a basic content knowledge and functional proficiency at the end of each class year as follows: A grade of C- or better is required in all non-Loyola Core courses. Students who lack such knowledge and proficiency will be advised to retake courses in which a grade less than C- was received.
  • DFM Degree Program Course Listing (DPCL): The DPCL serves as a helpful checklist of requirements for each program. Use this form in consultation with your advisor to plan your schedule. 

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Mass Communication - Journalism

The Department of Journalism builds degrees on seven core courses and numerous discipline-specific electives to personalize each student’s journalism experience. A list of Journalism faculty and staff can be viewed on the department website.

Journalism

The Bachelor of Arts, Mass Communication major with a concentration in Journalism is a 120 semester credit hour academic program. Students will complete Loyola Core requirements, Mass Communication major core requirements, Journalism sequence requirements, and general electives where students are highly encouraged to pursue an academic minor. Completion of this academic program requires a 2.0 GPA in the major curriculum and a 2.0 GPA in the Loyola cumulative curriculum.

  • Overview of requirements: 120 credit hours (crs) required for completion
    • Loyola Core: 39 crs
    • Mass Communication Core: 18 crs 
    • Journalism Sequence: 24 crs
    • Electives: 39 crs
       
  • Loyola Core - majors complete the full scope of the Loyola Core with 39 crs in Loyola Core requirement areas. Modifications include:
    • Social Science requirement is satisfied in the Major coursework 
       
  • Mass Communication Core - complete the following courses for 18 crs: 
    • CMMN A100 Intro to Mass Communication
    • CMMN A101 Communications Writing
    • CMMN A201 Digital Communications
    • CMMN A284 Fall Seminar in Mass Communication Ethics / Diversity 
    • CMMN A291 Internship 1 (1 cr) 
    • CMMN A401 Law of Mass Communication
    • CMMN A492 Spring Senior Seminar in Mass Communication (1 cr) 
    • CMMN A493 Internship Completion (1 cr)
    • Students are required to complete an internship to gain professional experience in their field of study.
       
  • Journalism sequence - complete the following courses for 24 crs: 
    • CMMN A265 Photography
    • CMMN A266 Videography
    • CMMN A250 Journalism (spring)
    • CMMN A350 Advanced Journalism (fall) 
    • CMMN A490 Journalism Capstone (spring) 
    • Major Electives or Emphasis Area for 9 crs, selected in consultation with an advisor. 
       
  • Electives - complete 39 crs of electives to complete the Bachelor of Arts program. Students can satisfy these requirements with any Loyola courses they are eligible to take which are not already required in the Loyola Core, Major, or Adjunct curriculums. No more than 48 hours in Mass Communication courses may be counted toward the 120 hours needed for the degree. For students pursuing a double major or an academic minor, the curriculum for those programs would be assigned from the credits required for Electives. The Mass Communication faculty strongly encourage completion of SPCH A100 Fundamentals of Speech as part of this area. 
     
  • Mass Communication majors are required to have a minor, a set of courses in a field of study outside the School of Mass Communication.
     
  • No more than 48 hours in Mass Communication courses may be counted toward the 120 hours needed for the degree.
  • MCJR Degree Program Course Listing (DPCL): The DPCL serves as a helpful checklist of requirements for each program. Use this form in consultation with your advisor to plan your schedule. 

 
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Mass Communication - Strategic Communication

The Department of Strategic Communication offers academic study in advertising and public relations with an emphasis on one of the two. Students take a core of courses including strategic contention creation, layout and design, research methods, media planning and a capstone. A list of Strategic Communication faculty and staff can be viewed on the department website.

Strategic Communication - Advertising / Public Relations

The Bachelor of Arts, Mass Communication major with a concentration in Strategic Communications, Advertising & Public Relations is a 120 semester credit hour academic program. Students will complete Loyola Core requirements, Mass Communication major core requirements, Advertising & Public Relations sequence requirements, and electives where students are highly encouraged to pursue an academic minor. Completion of this academic program requires a 2.0 GPA in the major curriculum and a 2.0 GPA in the Loyola cumulative curriculum.

  • Overview of requirements: 120 credit hours (crs) required for completion
    • Loyola Core: 39 crs
    • Mass Communication Core: 18 crs 
    • Advertising & Public Relations Sequence: 24 crs
    • Electives: 39 crs
  • Loyola Core - majors complete the full scope of the Loyola Core with 39 crs in Loyola Core requirement areas. Modifications include:
    • Social Science requirement is satisfied in the Mass Communications Core 
  • Mass Communication Core - complete the following courses for 18 crs: 
    • CMMN A100 Intro to Mass Communication
    • CMMN A101 Communications Writing
    • CMMN A201 Digital Communications
    • CMMN A284 Fall Seminar in Mass Communication Ethics / Diversity 
    • CMMN A291 Internship 1 (1 cr) 
    • CMMN A401 Law of Mass Communication
    • CMMN A492 Spring Senior Seminar in Mass Communication (1 cr) 
    • CMMN A493 Internship Completion (1 cr)
    • Students are required to complete an internship to gain professional experience in their field of study.
  • Advertising & Public Relations sequence - complete the following courses for 24 crs: 
    • CMMN A260 Layout & Design
    • Choose one of the following courses for 3 crs: 
      • CMMN A310 Advertising
      • CMMN A316 Public Relations
    • CMMN A313 Media Planning
    • CMMN A336 Strategic Content Creation 
    • CMMN A326 Research in Advertising and Public Relations
    • Choose one of the following courses for 3 crs: 
      • CMMN A415 Ad Team/Advanced Advertising Campaign
      • CMMN A419 Bateman Team/Advanced PR Campaign
      • CMMN A486 Brand Lab
    • Major Electives or Emphasis Area for 6 crs, selected in consultation with an advisor.
    • Electives - complete 39 crs of electives to complete the Bachelor of Arts program. Students can satisfy these requirements with any Loyola courses they are eligible to take which are not already required in the Loyola Core, Major, or Adjunct curriculums. For students pursuing a double major or an academic minor, the curriculum for those programs would be assigned from the credits required for Electives. The Mass Communication faculty strongly encourage completion of SPCH A100 Fundamentals of Speech as part of this area. 
      • Mass Communication majors are required to have a minor, a set of courses in a field of study outside the School of Mass Communication.
      • No more than 48 hours in Mass Communication courses may be counted toward the 120 hours needed for the degree.
         
    • MCAP Degree Program Course Listing (DPCL): The DPCL serves as a helpful checklist of requirements for each program. Use this form in consultation with your advisor to plan your schedule.

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    Strategic Communication - Visual Communication

    The Bachelor of Arts, Mass Communication major with a concentration in Strategic Communication, Visual Communications is a 120 semester credit hour academic program. Students will complete Loyola Core requirements, Mass Communication major core requirements, Visual Communications sequence requirements, and electives where students are highly encouraged to pursue an academic minor. Completion of this academic program requires a 2.0 GPA in the major curriculum and a 2.0 GPA in the Loyola cumulative curriculum.

    • Overview of requirements: 120 credit hours (crs) required for completion
      • Loyola Core: 39 crs
      • Mass Communication Core: 18 crs 
      • Visual Communications Sequence: 24 crs
      • Electives: 39 crs
    • Loyola Core - majors complete the full scope of the Loyola Core with 39 crs in Loyola Core requirement areas. Modifications include:
      • Social Science requirement is satisfied in the Mass Communications Core 
    • Mass Communication Core - complete the following courses for 18 crs: 
      • CMMN A100 Intro to Mass Communication
      • CMMN A101 Communications Writing
      • CMMN A201 Digital Communication
      • CMMN A284 Fall Seminar in Mass Communication Ethics / Diversity
      • CMMN A291 Internship 1 (1 cr) 
      • CMMN A401 Law of Mass Communication
      • CMMN A492 Spring Senior Seminar in Mass Communication (1 cr)
      • CMMN A493 Internship Completion (1 cr)
      • Students are required to complete an internship to gain professional experience in their field of study.
        ​​​​​​​
    • Visual Communications sequence - complete the following courses for 25 crs: 
      • CMMN A265 Photography
      • CMMN A266 Videography
      • CMMN A382 Social Media Strategies
      • DSGN M275 Print Design & Narrative
      • DSGN M278 Typography 1
      • DSGN M326 Motion Design & Narrative
      • Choose one of the following courses for 3 crs: 
        • CMMN A415 Ad Team/Advanced Advertising Campaign
        • CMMN A419 Bateman Team/Advanced PR Campaign
        • CMMN A486 Brand Lab
      • ​​​​​​Major Electives or Emphasis Area for 3 crs, selected in consultation with an advisor. 
         
      • Electives - complete 39 crs of electives to complete the Bachelor of Arts program. Students can satisfy these requirements with any Loyola courses they are eligible to take which are not already required in the Loyola Core, Major, or Adjunct curriculums. For students pursuing a double major or an academic minor, the curriculum for those programs would be assigned from the credits required for Electives. The Mass Communication faculty strongly encourage completion of SPCH A100 Fundamentals of Speech as part of this area. 
        • Mass Communication majors are required to have a minor, a set of courses in a field of study outside the School of Mass Communication.
        • No more than 48 hours in Mass Communication courses may be counted toward the 120 hours needed for the degree.
           
      • MCVC Degree Program Course Listing (DPCL): The DPCL serves as a helpful checklist of requirements for each program. Use this form in consultation with your advisor to plan your schedule.

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      Mass Communication - Minors

      Loyola students who are not already Mass Communication majors can add a Mass Communication minor to their curriculum. Curriculum for Mass Communication minors require 18 credit hours taken as part of or in addition to the General Electives area of a student’s undergraduate program. Successful completion of an academic minor requires a 2.0 GPA or higher for all courses.

      Communications (CMMN) Minor

      Students complete the following courses for 18 crs:

      • CMMN A100 Intro to Mass Communication
      • CMMN A101 Communications Writing
      • CMMN A201 Digital Communications
      • Communications electives for 9 crs, CMMN courses selected in consultation with a minor advisor. Course cannot be Loyola Core courses. CMMN T121 can be applied towards CMMN electives. 
         
      • CMMN Minor Tracking Sheet: The tracking sheet serves as a helpful checklist of courses for the minor. Use this form in consultation with your advisor to help schedule your coursework.

      Environmental Communications (ENCM) Minor

      Students complete the following courses for 18 crs: 

      • CMMN A100 Intro to Mass Communications
      • CMMN A101 Communications Writing
      • CMMN A371 Covering the Environmental Beat
      • CMMN A475 Environmental Communication
      • Communications electives for 6 crs. CMMN courses selected in consultation with a minor advisor. Course cannot be Loyola Core courses. CMMN T121 can be applied towards CMMN electives.
         
      • ENCM Minor Tracking Sheet: The tracking sheet serves as a helpful checklist of courses for the minor. Use this form in consultation with your advisor to help schedule your coursework.

      Social Media (SOME) Minor

      Students complete the following courses for 18 crs: 

      • CMMN A101 Communications Writing
      • CMMN A201 Digital Communication
      • CMMN A265 Photography
      • CMMN A266 Videography
      • CMMN A380 Social Media Strategies
      • CMMN A491 Internship
      • CMMN Electives 
        ​​​​​​​
      • SOME Minor Tracking Sheet: The tracking sheet serves as a helpful checklist of courses for the minor. Use this form in consultation with your advisor to help schedule your coursework.

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      Communication & Design - University Honors Program

      Participation in the University Honors Program is available to any eligible student pursuing a Communications & Design major. Students who meet Honors Program admission requirements can complete their program with the Honors Curriculum taking the place of the Loyola Core and completing the Honors Thesis requirement as part of their curriculum. Completion of the Honors Program academic program requires a 3.3 GPA in the major curriculum, any minor programs, and a student’s Loyola cumulative curriculum.

      The following Degree Program Course Listings (DPCL) serve as helpful checklists of requirements for each program. Use this form in consultation with your advisor and the Honors Program Director to plan your schedule. 

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