Explore the Electronic Media degree program
Multimedia content is everywhere. The Electronic Media degree program at Wayne State prepares you for a wide range of careers in professions that use multimedia communication tools. Starting your first semester, you’ll receive extensive hands-on experience in skills like audio and video production, performance, and production planning.
In the Electronic Media degree program, not only will you produce hands-on content throughout your college career, you’ll be prepared for media leadership roles through coursework like communication law, mass media and society, media management, and media ethics.
The WSC Media Club, which is affiliated with the academic program, also provides hands-on opportunities and travel experiences to state and national conferences, visits to media outlets, and other activities. Internships provide professional experiences to enrich coursework.
Fast facts
Degree options:
- B.A. or B.S. in Mass Communication / Electronic Media
- Minor in Electronic Media
Delivery format: On campus (Wayne)
Program credit hours: 36 or 48
- Mass communication core courses (18 credit hours)
- Electronic media concentration (18 or 30 credit hours)
Note: Students must also take 30 credit hours of General Studies courses. A total of 120 credit hours are needed to graduate from WSC. Additional majors or minors can be added to help meet graduation requirements.
School: Arts and Humanities
Department: Communication Arts
Opportunities and outcomes
Electronic media topics covered
- Mass communication systems and their impacts on society
- Multiplatform journalism and reporting
- Ethics for media professionals
- Laws and regulations that affect communication
- Live broadcasting and studio film production
- Post-production digital editing and sound engineering
- Audio production techniques
- Management practices for radio, television, and print industry
Student learning outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge of the basic concepts of mass communication
- Demonstrate mass communication skills
- Apply principles of mass media
Career Scholars Program
Students majoring in Electronic Media are eligible to take part in the Career Scholars Program. The Career Scholars Program offers a generous scholarship package while you embark on a unique cooperative education journey starting your freshman year at Wayne State. During your time here, you’ll participate in career readiness activities, job site visits, job shadowing, and more - all while learning the fundamentals of professional practice. After three years on campus, you’ll complete your senior year by working at a paid job in your chosen field. Job locations include Norfolk or Grand Island, Neb., where you'll live in community housing with fellow Career Scholars students.
Intercollegiate forensics
The Wayne State Forensics Team is a competitive speech team that provides students the opportunity to grow their skills in oral and written communication, critical thinking, research development, creativity, leadership, and confidence. The team competes regionally and nationally in a variety of public address and interpretation event categories, including communication analysis/rhetorical criticism; persuasive, informative, extemporaneous, impromptu, and after dinner speaking; and dramatic and prose interpretation.
WSC student media
Our studios, labs, and workshops provide students with hands-on learning experiences in film, television, radio, journalism, and print. Students in the Agricultural Communication and Leadership program work in KWSC Studios to learn television and video programming. You’ll also get hands-on experience in audio production and on-air broadcasting through Wayne State’s award-winning student-run radio station, KWSC-FM.
Electronic media internships
Our outstanding Career Services Office is available to help you find electronic media internships and career opportunities. Students recently completed internships at the following locations:
- Badlands Bigsticks
- David Jones Fashions
- KZUM Radio
- Wayne State College
Graduates of the Electronic Media degree program work in their chosen field using the skills they learned while at Wayne State College. Each year, eager employers welcome WSC graduates into their organizations.
Jobs of recent graduates:
- Assistant Marketing Coordinator – Vision2Voice (Omaha, Neb.)
- Photography & Videography Business Owner - Smyth Visuals (Sioux City, Iowa)
- Station Programmer – WJAG Radio (Norfolk, Neb.)
- Technical Media Director – KOLN-TV (Lincoln, Neb.)
- Videographer and Editor – Outdoorsmen Productions, LLC (Hartington, Neb.)

job or grad school placement rate
within six months of graduation
Data based on most recent
employment outcomes survey
2024-25 Estimated Annual Cost of Attendance
cost per credit hour
Tuition: $5,880
Fees: $2,290.50
Food plan: $4,690
Housing: $4,730
Most Affordable College in Nebraska
- College Affordability Guide, 2024
Wayne State is considered the most affordable four-year college or university in Nebraska. With same rates for in- and out-of-state students, our tuition guarantee, and our generous scholarship packages, it is clear to see how WSC earned the title. In fact, the average remaining annual cost of attendance for 2024-25 is $2,268 for undergraduate students after financial aid and scholarships.
Electronic Media degree program courses
Students must complete the mass communication core courses and electronic media concentration courses. Students have the option of a 36-hour or 48-hour program. A total of 120 credit hours are needed to graduate from WSC. Additional majors or minors can be added to help meet graduation requirements.
Mass communication core courses (18 credits)
Credits: 3
Description: An overview of the historical development, technological evolution, current status, and future direction of mass communication. Differences between mass communication systems will be explored, as well as mass communication effects on its audiences.
Credits: 3
Description: An introduction to journalism and journalistic writing. Students in this course work as beginning reporters for the college newspaper.
Credits: 3
Description: An in-depth investigation of the ethical foundations underlying conduct of media professionals.
Credits: 3
Description: In-depth critical perspective of mass communication theoretical development and audience effects, including short- and long-term media socialization, political propaganda, advertising, social control, and characteristics shared by all media.
Prerequisite: CNA 263 Introduction to Mass Communication
Credits: 3
Description: An overview of the laws, regulations, and court cases affecting personal and organizational communication. Topics addressed include freedom of speech, libel and slander, privacy, regulation of advertising, copyright and trademark, and internet and media law. Case studies emphasize how the courts interpret and apply the law.
Credits: 3
Description: Students enrolled in this seminar will develop a cumulative portfolio of work that demonstrates the growth of their abilities in various areas of mass communication while developing tools for career readiness. The portfolio may include any of the following types of student work: writing, photography, audio, video, or electronic media projects. In conjunction with faculty, students research regional and national media employment trends, and develop a portfolio that best reflects their chosen mass communication career. Faculty will review the portfolio and conduct a qualitative exit interview for the purpose of program review and assessment. The review of the portfolio and the exit interview must be completed to graduate.
Prerequisite: 90 hours
Electronic media concentration (18 or 30 credit hours)
Credits: 0-3
Description: Practical application of skills learned in other classes to direct, produce, and coordinate content development in electronic media, video, and film. Workshop hours beyond those required for Mass Communication majors and minors may be taken as electives with the permission of the advisor. Electronic Media majors must take at least 3 credits in a combination of Audio/Radio Workshop, Video Workshop, and Film Workshop. Students who are not Mass Communication majors may enroll with permission of the instructor. Course fee of $10 per credit hour required.
Prerequisites: Approval of instructor and C or above in CNA 162 Audio Production for radio workshops, and CNA 274 Video and Film Production I for video and film workshops. Prerequisite courses cannot be taken concurrently.
Credits: 3
Description: An introduction to studio and remote production including live broadcasts of news, sports, talk, narrative film, and special events. Students will learn current concepts and theories of pre-production, production and post-production procedures and will apply them utilizing video and audio equipment for digital storytelling. (Lab hours required.) Course fee of $10 per credit hour required.
Credits: 3
Description: This course focuses on new media in converged environments and management practices, including radio, television, and print. Includes topics such as budgeting, staff, audience research, content development, promotion, sales, labor relations, governmental regulations, community responsibility, and other related subjects.
Credits: 3
Description: An overview of multiplatform journalism from brainstorming story ideas, to interviewing, writing for the web and broadcast, and multimedia journalism skills. Students will learn how to organize electronic newscasts and create online news stories using current applications.
Prerequisite: CNA 280 News Writing
Credits: 3
Description: Study of advanced video and filmmaking techniques for program and non-program content in standard, cable, and specialized video. Instruction includes post-production, digital editing, color correction, sound engineering, and distribution. Lab hours required. Course fee of $10 per credit hour required.
Prerequisite: CNA 162 Audio Production
Students pursuing the 48-hour program will take the above courses from the 36-hour option plus an additional 12 credit hours from the following:
- ART 363 Digital Photography (3)
- BUS 270 Principles of Marketing (3)
- BUS 374 Advertising and Integrated Marketing (3)
- CNA 102 Media Literacy (3)
- CNA (R, V) 120/220/320/420 Mass Communication Arts Workshop (0-3)
- CNA 140/240/440 Intercollegiate Forensics (0-3)
- CNA 223 Acting (3)
- CNA 252 Public Address (3)
- CNA 297/397/497 Internship in Broadcasting (3)
- CNA 301 Advertising Copywriting (3)
- CNA 352 Organizational Presentations (3)
- CNA 374 Public Relations (3)
- CNA 378 Performance for the Screen (3)
- CNA 387 Lighting (3)
- CNA 389 Photojournalism (3)
- CNA 391/491 Special Project in Communication (3)
- CNA 392 Sports Writing (3)
- CNA 426 Public Relations through Social Media (3)
- CNA 450 Media Design Applications (3)
- CNA 453 Integrated Brand Promotion (3)
- CNA 454 Advanced Web Development (3)
- CNA 457 Special Topics in Communication
- CNA 467 Intercultural Communication (3)
- CNA 479 Animation and Motion Graphics Applications (3)
- ENG 200 Expository Writing (3)
- ENG 206 Workplace Writing (3)
- GEO 305 Political Geography (3)
- POS 350 The American Presidency (3)
- POS 402 State and Local Politics (3)
- POS 430 Public Policy (3)
Popular pairings
Many students at Wayne State will add a second major or a minor to complement their program of study, or to focus their studies on a specific topic. Students who recently majored in Electronic Media at Wayne State also paired this major with one or more of the following programs:
- Animation and Motion Graphics (minor)
- Digital Film Production (major or minor)
- Journalism (major or minor)
- Online and Social Media (minor)
- Photography (minor)
- Promotion and Media (minor)
- Sport Management (major or minor)
Related programs
Students interested in the Electronic Media degree program may also be interested in:
Digital Film Production (B.A. or B.S.)
Journalism (B.A. or B.S.)
Sports Media (B.A. or B.S.)

Transfer to Wayne State
Our generous transfer credit policy will allow you to get credit for what you've already earned.
- If you've taken courses at other institutions, you can transfer those credits to Wayne State.
- Already have an associate degree? Seamlessly transfer your full degree through one of our transfer pathways.
- Military or veteran student? You may be able to get credit for your military experience and training.

I hope to go on to one day to be the lead broadcaster for either a collegiate or professional sports program. I truly do see myself in that position in the future thanks to WSC. Since I was a freshman, I was allowed to broadcast baseball, football, volleyball and basketball games nearly as often as I wanted. They also helped me to land a part-time job calling high school games with a local radio station on the weekends. There is no better place to come and work on your craft. Everyone genuinely cares about the quality of the content that is put out, meaning that you’re not just building a profile, you’re building an impressive profile full of professional content that’s going to be seen by tons of people.
Blake Hilkemeier
Atkinson, Nebraska
Electronic Media



I hope to go on to one day to be the lead broadcaster for either a collegiate or professional sports program. I truly do see myself in that position in the future thanks to WSC. Since I was a freshman, I was allowed to broadcast baseball, football, volleyball and basketball games nearly as often as I wanted. They also helped me to land a part-time job calling high school games with a local radio station on the weekends. There is no better place to come and work on your craft. Everyone genuinely cares about the quality of the content that is put out, meaning that you’re not just building a profile, you’re building an impressive profile full of professional content that’s going to be seen by tons of people.


Blake Hilkemeier
Atkinson, Nebraska
Electronic Media
Communication Arts Department faculty

Sean Ahern, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Sean Ahern is a communication arts professor at Wayne State College. Ahern teaches Sports Writing, Radio Production, and Radio Workshop. He is also the advisor for the on-campus radio station KWSC-FM 91.9 The Cat.

Brian Begley, MFA
Associate Professor
Brian Begley is a communication arts professor at Wayne State College and technical director and designer for the theatre program. He teaches lighting and set design, technical theatre, play writing, and acting specialties, including performance for the camera and stage combat.

Raihan Jamil, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Pat Janssen teaches in the Communication Arts Department at Wayne State College. His academic interests include journalism ethics, sports and popular culture, and the relationship between politics and mass media.

Allyn Lueders, Ph.D.
Professor
Dr. Allyn Lueders is a communication studies professor at WSC. She teaches undergraduate courses in public relations and interpersonal communication and graduate courses in public relations leadership. She is the chair of the Communication Arts Department.

Teresa Morales, Ph.D.
Professor
Dr. Teresa Morales is a communication arts professor at Wayne State College. In addition to teaching CNA 100 Principles of Human Communication, she also teaches Public Address, Argumentation, Persuasion, the Rhetoric of Civic Life, Professional Presentations, Language and Human Behavior, Organizational Leadership, Leadership Theory, and Case Studies in Organizational Leadership.

Rusty Ruth, MFA
Associate Professor
Rusty Ruth is a communication arts professor at Wayne State College. He teaches acting, directing, dramatic literature, and stage dialect courses.

Liz Viall, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
She teaches Communication Law, News Writing, Photojournalism, Agricultural Communications, and Integrated Brand Promotion, and advises the student-run newspaper, The Wayne Stater, as well as the Photography Club.

Mike White, Ed.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Mike White is a communication arts professor and teaches television and video production, electronic media, and other mass communication courses at Wayne State College. He advises KWSC-TV, the college’s cable television station, serving Wayne and streamed online. White also oversees the KWSC Productions (The Hot Attic), the student video and the short film production studio.

Joe Whitt, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Joe Whitt is a communication arts professor at Wayne State College. He specializes in human communication, particularly in interpersonal, intercultural, family, small group, environmental, and organizational contexts.
Get in touch
Department of Communication Arts
Humanities Building, Room 213
Phone: 402-375-7395
Student clubs for mass communication majors
Film Club - For students interested in watching and discussing films
KWSC-FM - Student-run radio station of WSC
KWSC-TV - A student-run cable access channel
Lambda Pi Eta - National honor society for communication majors
PR in Action - Focuses on improving the practice of public relations
SkillsUSA - National career and technical student organization

Rankings and accolades
Recognized for excellence
A Best College of Distinction
Wayne State was recognized as a Best College of Distinction for our excellence in student engagement, teaching, community, and successful graduate outcomes.

A Top Public College in the Midwest
WSC was identified as one of the top public universities in the Midwest for 2025 by U.S. News & World’s Best Colleges ranking report.

Where you'll learnDepartment facilities

Humanities Building
The Humanities Building is home to students in media, communication, language, and literature programs at Wayne State.

Student media labs
Our student media labs provide a hands-on learning environment for students in mass communication programs at WSC.
Your next steps
