Introduction to the Major
Media Studiesis an interdisciplinary group major that weds a variety of traditions including communication, anthropology, sociology, political science, and journalism with contemporary critical and cultural studies to examine media technologies, forms, institutions, economics, policies, culture, and audiences. Students learn media history, practice, and theory in the United States and abroad. Media Studies students specialize in one of three areas of concentration: Digital Studies, Global Cultural Studies, or Media Law and Policy.
Admission to the Major
For information regarding applying to the Media Studies major, visit the Media Studies Applying pages: mediastudies.ugis.berkeley.edu/applying-overview and mediastudies.ugis.berkeley.edu/prerequisites/. Media Studies has four prerequisite courses. One is Media Studies 10 or W10: Introduction to Media Studies. It is open to sophomores after two semesters at Berkeley and first-semester transfer students. Beginning fall 2020, students are required to take this course at Berkeley.
Amplify Your Major
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Join a student organization; some are media-related, e.g. CalTV, The Daily Californian, SUPERB, or Business Careers in Entertainment.
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Earn academic credit for an internship.
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Study abroad and expand your world.
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Add a minor, e.g. Digital Humanities or Journalism, or summer certificate, e.g. Film & Media or New Media.
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Add a second major if inspired.
- Participate in the Media Studies Honors Program if eligible.
First Year
Explore Your Major
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Explore majors and minors on the L&S Advising website.
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Familiarize yourself with major and college requirements.
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Meet with intended major advisors and college advisor to discuss academic plans.
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Begin completing major prerequisites.
Connect and Build Community
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Participate in On the Same Page.
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Get 1:1 mentoring with Berkeley Connect.
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Find tutors and academic support at the Student Learning Center.
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Look into student organizations; search media, television, business, and more.
Discover Your Passions
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Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar or student-run DeCal course.
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Explore Berkeley Arts + Design Creative Discovery Courses.
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Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarships.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.
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Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center.
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Explore study, internship, and research abroad options with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library.
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Develop a plan for getting career ready.
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Set up a Handshake account and sign up for CareerMail.
- Explore career fields in the Career Connections Networking Series.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
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Enroll in Media Studies 10 or W10: Introduction to Media Studies, a prerequisite course.
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Select area of concentration and apply to the major when eligible.
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Continue to plan for the major and an alternate major until your application decision is available.
- Review major guidelines for study abroad.
Connect and Build Community
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Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during office hours.
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Join a student organization, e.g. CalTV, The Daily Californian, Superb, or Business Careers in Entertainment.
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Participate in SLC study groups for major-relevant courses.
Discover Your Passions
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Continue exploring with a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas Course or Discovery Course.
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Assist faculty in their research through URAP.
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Curious about entrepreneurship? Enroll in HUM120: Entrepreneurship for All.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Get involved in your local community by attending events at BAMPFA or joining programs like Alternative Breaks.
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Consider a Berkeley Global Internship in the United States or abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator.
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Shadow alumni during the Cal Job Shadow Program.
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Learn about graduate and professional school.
- Think about doing an internship in the summer and attend an internship fair.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
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Review your degree progress with your Media Studies advisors. Focus on remaining requirements and use course lists to plan.
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Get to know your Media Studies Faculty Advisors.
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Explore the honors program if eligible.
- Add a minor, e.g. Digital Humanities or Journalism.
Connect and Build Community
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Consider becoming a Golden Bear Orientation Leader and welcome new students to UC Berkeley.
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Connect with alumni groups and build your network.
Discover Your Passions
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Find research and funding opportunities in the OURS database.
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Planning a senior thesis or project? Apply to the Haas Scholars Program or SURF.
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Earn academic credit related to an internship; options available for fall/spring or summer.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Prepare for your study abroad program by taking an elective with a global focus.
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Apply for a leadership position in your student organization.
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Study and intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Learn more about possible career fields and conducting informational interviews.
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Update or create your resume and LinkedIn profile.
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Attend career and graduate school fairs.
- Attend networking events hosted by student clubs on campus like Business Careers in Entertainment Club.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
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Do a degree check with college and major advisors to ensure you are on track to graduate.
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Enroll in Media Studies H194/H195 and graduate with honors if eligible.
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Complement your major with a certificate, course thread or final study abroad summer.
Connect and Build Community
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Get support for your thesis project in the Townsend Honors Thesis Workshop.
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Reconnect with faculty and advisors about future career goals, graduate school and postgraduate opportunities.
Discover Your Passions
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Teach your own DeCal course.
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Continue pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year.
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Explore your unique career and graduate school options with a counselor at the Career Counseling Library.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program.
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Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, or U.S. Department of State.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Utilize job board tools in your job search.
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Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
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Attend Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting.
- Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
As Media Studies draws from many traditions, graduates have gone into a variety of fields such as media, marketing, law, journalism, business operations, and education.
Jobs and Employers
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Asst. Account Exec., Ogilvy
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Brand Design Strategist, Gensler
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Copy Editor/Web Producer, Politico
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Executive Asst., Google
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Digital Marketing Strategist, LQ Digital
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Marketing, Facebook
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Media Director, Digitas UK
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Media Supervisor, MediaCom
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News NOW Reporter, USA TODAY
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Product Marketing, Dell
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Production Coordinator, DreamWorks
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Social Media Manager, Crunchyroll
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Talent Acquisition, Microsoft
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User Analyst, Zynga
Graduate Programs
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Advertising, MA
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Communications Data Science, MS
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Journalism, MA
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Law, JD
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Media, Technology, & Society, PhD
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Public Relations, MA
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Screen Cultures, PhD
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Sport Management, MA
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Strategic Marketing, MA
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates and Media Studies Program.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit mediastudies.ugis.berkeley.edu for news and updates.
Advising
Students can reach out to the Media Studies Student Academic Advisors below:
Advising Drop-In Hours
Visit mediastudies.ugis.berkeley.edu/people/ for advising drop-in days and times.
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
