Media, BA (online)

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Media (online)

The Bachelor of Arts in Media provides students with a well-rounded interdisciplinary education in fields associated with the media industry. Students take coursework in advertising, journalism, and media & cinema studies. The remaining coursework, after completing general education courses, is comprised of free electives, to allow for maximum flexibility for students. The program is offered online, and students will take only online coursework to complete degree requirements. 

This degree program is open to students with some college coursework, but no degree. First-year students with no college coursework are not eligible to apply.

View all College of Media undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Media (online)

Graduation Requirements 

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours

University Requirements 

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The University and residency requirements can be found in Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program. 

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course)3
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-10
Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required)0-15

Major Requirements

MDIA 100College of Media Orientation1
ADV 150Introduction to Advertising3
or ADV 175 Introduction to Multicultural Advertising
JOUR 101Interactive Media & You3
or JOUR 200 Introduction to Journalism
MACS 100Intro to Popular TV & Movies3
or MACS 101 Introduction to the Media
MDIA 498Media Capstone1
Media Electives - 300- or 400-level12
Advertising (ADV), Journalism (JOUR), Media and Cinema Studies (MACS), or Media (MDIA) coursework at the 300- or 400-level
Media Electives - Any Level12
Any Advertising (ADV), Journalism (JOUR), Media and Cinema Studies (MACS), or Media (MDIA) course not already counting toward a requirement above.
Total Hours120

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Media (online)

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

Students in this program will have an individualized path to a degree. They will meet one-on-one with an academic advisor to devise an appropriate plan to graduation, which will likely look different than the one below.

First Year
First SemesterHours
ADV 150 or 1753
MDIA 1001
Composition I or General Education course4
General Education course3
Language Other Than English (3rd level)4
 15
Total Hours 15
First Year
Second SemesterHours
MACS 100 or 1013
Media Elective3
General Education course or Composition I3
General Education course3
General Education course3
Free Elective course1
 16
Total Hours 16
Second Year
First SemesterHours
JOUR 101 or 2003
Media Elective3
General Education course3
General Education course3
Free Elective course3
 15
Total Hours 15
Second Year
Second SemesterHours
Media Elective (300-or 400-level)3
General Education course3
General Education course3
General Education course3
Free Elective course3
 15
Total Hours 15
Third Year
First SemesterHours
Media Elective3
General Education course3
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course3
 15
Total Hours 15
Third Year
Second SemesterHours
Media Elective (300- or 400-level)3
Media Elective3
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course3
 15
Total Hours 15
Fourth Year
First SemesterHours
Media Elective (300- or 400-level)3
MDIA 4981
Free Elective course4
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course3
 14
Total Hours 14
Fourth Year
Second SemesterHours
Media Elective (300- or 400-level)3
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course3
 15
Total Hours 15

Total Hours: 120

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Media (online)

Students in the BA in Media will be able to:

  • Understand concepts, theories, and methods in the fields of advertising, journalism, and media & cinema studies
  • Use cutting edge tools and technology to analyze and evaluate the media landscape
  • Create ethical and culturally relevant media content

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Media (online)

College of Media

Media, BA (online) website
media-online@illinois.edu
(217)244-4329

College of Media Catalog page
College of Media website