Don’t just consume media. Create it.

A TV and film degree prepares you to write, produce, shoot, or direct the programming of tomorrow. Our graduates work in television, video post-production, film production, and video production for sports, corporate, government, and other settings. 

What You’ll Do 

As a TV and film major at Southeast, you’ll gain incredible real-world learning experience in a program accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC). 

  • Direct multi-camera in-studio and remote productions. 
  • Write screenplays and create short films for Southeast’s Fault Line Film Festival. 
  • Write, shoot, and edit news, informational, and public affairs programming. 
  • Work as a member of a sports production crew for the ESPN+ Network.

What Can You Do with a TV and Film Degree?

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time. 

Internship and Employment Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • Anheuser-Busch
  • Ansira
  • AT&T
  • CNN (Atlanta)
  • ESPN
  • FleishmanHillard
  • Golin-Harris
  • Hoffman Media LLC
  • KSDK-TV (St. Louis); KMOV-TV (St. Louis)
  • MEC
  • Nestle-Purina
  • Osborn Barr
  • Red Letter Communications, Inc.
  • Saint Francis Medical Center
  • St. Louis Cardinals
  • St. Louis Post-Dispatch
  • Southeast Missourian
  • Turner BroadcastingTurner Sports
  • Universal Studios (Los Angeles)
  • Washington Post

Outcomes & Careers

  • 95%

    Successful Outcomes Rate

    Students graduating with degrees from the Department of Mass Media report being employed or furthering their education six months after graduation. 

     

  • $59k

    Video Editor

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a video editor is $58,790. 

     

     

  • $67k

    Writer

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a writer is $66,680. 

     

  • $54k

    Camera Operator

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a camera operator is $54,170. 

     

     

Outcomes & Careers

  • 100s

    Of hours dedicated to student-produced short film production.

    Each academic year Department of Mass Media students spend hundreds of hours writing, producing, and directing student-produced short films. 

     

     

  • 10+

    Years of hosting the Fault Line Film Festival.

    The Fault Line Film Festival is the annual narrative short film competition for university and high school students held on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University. 

     

     

  • 70+

    Public affairs and feature programs produced for broadcast in our local TV market.

    The Department of Mass Media produces over 70 public affairs and feature programs that are broadcast in the local television market. 

     

  • 80+

    Live sporting events streamed on ESPN+ annually.

    TV/film majors stream more than 80 sporting events on ESPN+ as well as more than 70 local TV programs annually. 

     

     

TV and Film Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.

What You'll Study

As a TV and film major, you’ll learn how to be successful in today’s ever changing media industry. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours. A minor is required.

TV & Film Option – 45 hours – Minor Required

NOTE: Within the 120 hours it takes to complete a BS in Mass Communication, students must complete a minimum of 75 hours outside of the MC prefix.

NOTE: Students taking classes within the Department of Mass Media that are at the 300 level and above will be required to have a MacBook laptop computer for use in the classroom during class time.

Required Core Courses:

  • MC001 Exit Interview (0)
  • MC101 Media and Society (3)
  • MC221 Digital Media Production (3)
  • MC301 Media Analytics (3)
  • MC304 Media Diversity (3)
  • MC382 Media History (3)
  • MC401 Media Law (3)
  • MCxxx Elective (3)
  • MCxxx Elective (3)

A grade of ‘C’ or better is required in each core course except MC001 which is a credit/no credit course.

Required Option Courses:

  • MC351 Basic TV & Film Production (3)
  • MC352 Video Postproduction (3)
  • MC354 Screenwriting (3)
  • MC363 Sports Broadcast Production (3)
  • MC366 Television Directing (3)
  • MC451 Advanced Film Production (3)
  • MC469 Advanced Video Production (3)

A grade of ‘C’ or better is required in each required option course.

Required Support Course - choose 3 hours:

  • MA123 Mathematical Reasoning and Modeling (3)
  • MA155 Statistical Reasoning (3)

A grade of ‘C’ or better is required in each support course.

Required Minor - 15 hours (minimum)

  • Students may choose any minor program of study.
“Critical Courses” are italicized and bolded. Data shows that students who have completed this course in the first two years and have earned the noted grade are most likely to complete this program of study.

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
  • Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
  • Written Communication – 6 hours
  • Oral Communication – 3 hours
  • Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
  • Mathematics – 3 hours
  • Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
  • Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
  • Civics examination

Any student wishing to be formally admitted into the Advertising, Multimedia Journalism, Public
Relations, or Television & Film options within the Department of Mass Media must complete the
Declaration of Major form and meet the following criteria:

  • Completion of a minimum 15-semester hours at Southeast Missouri State University or transferred from an accreddited college or university.
  • Attain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Completion of EN100 or EN140 with a minimum grade of "C."

Freshman Year 

Fall Semester (16 Hours) 

  • UI100 (1) 
  • EN100 (3) 
  • MA123 or MA155 (3) 
  • MC101 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 

Spring Semester (15 Hours) 

  • MC221 (3)
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 

Milestone: Admission to the Mass Communication program after the second semester. 

Sophomore Year 

Fall Semester (15 Hours) 

  • MC351 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Minor/Elective (3) 

Spring Semester (15 Hours) 

  • MC301 (3) 
  • MC352 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Minor/Elective (3) 

Milestone: Maintain 2.0 cumulative GPA and 2.25 major GPA. 

Junior Year 

Fall Semester (15 Hours) 

  • MC304 (3) 
  • MC363 (3)
  • MC Elective (3)
  • Minor/Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 

Spring Semester (15 Hours) 

  • MC354 (3) 
  • MC382 (3) 
  • MC Elective (3) 
  • Minor/Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 

Milestone: Maintain 2.0 cumulative GPA and 2.25 major GPA. 

Senior Year 

Fall Semester (15 Hours) 

  • MC366 (3) 
  • MC451 (3) 
  • Minor/Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 

Spring Semester (14 Hours) 

  • MC001 (0) 
  • MC401 (3) 
  • MC469 (3)
  • Minor/Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (2) 

Milestone: Maintain 2.0 cumulative GPA and 2.25 major GPA. 

A “Milestone” signifies a significant stage for a student in the completion of a degree.

“Critical Courses” are italicized and bolded. Data shows that students who have completed this course in the first two years and have earned the noted grade are most likely to complete this program of study.

Get Funding for Your Education

Missouri’s opened the door to a more educated workforce. We want to help you walk through it. If you’re an adult learner and a Missouri resident returning to college, learn about the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant. It’s a statewide financial aid program that can be used to pursue a certificate, degree or industry-recognized credential in a high need area in Missouri. This major is eligible for the Fast Track grant.

Fault Line Film Festival

Tell your story and compete with other students from throughout the Midwest at the annual Fault Line Film Festival hosted by Southeast. See your hard work on the big screen and be in contention for the $1,000 grand prize and coveted Audience Choice Award.

Become a Redhawk.

Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

Accreditations

  • Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) logo
  • Public Relations Society of America logo
Contact Us
Location
Office
Grauel Building, 016
Mailing Address
One University Plaza, MS 2775
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701