Mass Communications Academics
Degree Requirements
Every undergraduate degree at Virginia State University is built on a set of requirements that, taken together, ensure graduates have the knowledge, skills, and breadth of experience expected of a VSU-educated professional. Meeting these requirements in full is what earns you a diploma, so understanding them from early in your academic career saves you from unpleasant surprises later.
Your degree requirements are tied to your catalog year, which is typically the academic year in which you first enrolled at VSU. If you change your major, re-enroll after a gap in attendance, or make other significant changes to your academic path, your catalog year or applicable requirements may shift. Always confirm with your advisor which set of requirements applies to you.
Credit Hour Requirements
Undergraduate degrees at VSU require a minimum of 120 credit hours (VSU Student Handbook, p. 8). These hours are distributed across three primary categories: general education requirements, major requirements, and elective credits. The exact distribution depends on your specific
degree program. Some programs require more than 120 hours, so check your major's curriculum guide for your program's specific total.
To graduate, you must complete sufficient upper-division coursework. You are required to complete a Senior Seminar capstone experience, and a Mass Communications Internship requirement. Review your degree audit regularly to confirm you are on track with each category.
General Education Requirements
General education courses form the foundation of your degree and provide broad preparation across academic disciplines. These requirements typically account for 30 to 45 credit hours of your total degree and include areas such as written communication, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and fine arts. Detailed information on general education requirements is available on the General Education Requirements page of this website.
Major Requirements
Mass Communications major requirements are the discipline-specific courses at the heart of the Department of Mass Communications degree program. These typically include introductory courses, upper-division content courses, a capstone or senior experience, and in some programs, laboratory or practicum components. Many major courses have prerequisites that must be completed in sequence, so planning your schedule carefully from the beginning is essential.
Some majors also require competency in specific skills areas, such as foreign language proficiency or demonstrated technology skills. Check your program's curriculum guide in the VSU Course Catalog for a complete list of your major requirements.
Elective Credits
After completing your general education and major requirements, remaining hours are filled with elective coursework. Electives allow you to explore other academic interests, complete a minor, take courses in a related field, or deepen your expertise in areas connected to your major. Your advisor can help you select electives that strengthen your academic profile and align with your career goals.
Minimum GPA Standards
You must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to graduate from VSU (VSU Student Handbook, p. 8). Check your program's specific graduation GPA requirements with your advisor.
Earning a 2.0 cumulative GPA does not automatically guarantee graduation if you fall short in other areas, such as completing all required coursework or meeting residency requirements. All requirements must be satisfied in full.
Residency Requirement
VSU requires that you complete a minimum number of your credit hours at VSU itself. This residency requirement means you cannot fulfill your entire degree through transfer credit. Your final semester of coursework must also typically be completed at VSU. Specific residency requirements vary by program, so confirm the details with your advisor.
How to Track Your Progress
Your degree audit, available through your student portal and the Mass Communications Advising Website is the most reliable tool for tracking your progress toward graduation. The audit shows which requirements you have completed, which are in progress, and which remain outstanding. It also reflects potential issues such as missing prerequisites or unfulfilled graduation requirements.
Review your degree audit each semester, ideally before meeting with your advisor for registration. If you notice discrepancies, such as a completed course not appearing in the correct category, bring the issue to your advisor promptly. Your advisor can help you navigate your degree audit.
Degree Requirement Substitutions
In some cases, a course you have taken may be substitutable for a required course you have not yet completed. Substitutions require approval from your department and, in some cases, your academic dean. Substitutions are not automatic and must be formally requested and documented. Do not assume a substitution will be approved before receiving written confirmation.
Contact Information
Office of the Registrar Phone: (804) 524-5275