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College of Information and Communications

  • UofSC Students

About the School

The School of Journalism and Mass Communications is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. 

Our Mission

The mission of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications is to improve and strengthen the societal roles of the professions of journalism and mass communications through teaching, research and service. See our complete mission statement.


Diversity and Inclusiveness

The school is committed to the university’s mission to foster a diverse and vibrant academic environment in the university. Toward that end, the school recognizes the importance of embracing diversity in its various forms and creating a welcoming environment that encourages all to excel. See our complete Diversity and Inclusiveness Plan. 


Faculty

The School of Journalism and Mass Communications seeks to have a balance of faculty experience, bringing to the students a variety of scholarship and perspectives from focused researchers, work experiences,  and scholarly work from creative specialists. The faculty includes nationally renowned scholars, photojournalists, creative directors, media planners, broadcast managers, reporters, editors, and graphic designers. In Fall 2023, students have access to 41 full-time faculty.  See some of the 2023-2024 Accolades of our faculty, staff and students.


Students

We have an interesting and diverse group of students from all over the United States and abroad.  
In Fall 2024, we have 1845 undergraduate students and 73 graduate students.

Undergraduate Enrollment By Major
Advertising - 470
Broadcast Journalism - 247
Journalism - 117
Mass Communications - 373

Public Relations - 377
Sports Media - 32
Visual Communications - 229


Social Media

The school has an active and engaging social media outreach to students and alumni.


Retention and Graduation Rates

Our faculty and student services staff do an excellent job helping students to reach their goals and succeed in our program. The percentage of freshman students returning to the School of Journalism and Mass Communications as sophomores is among the highest at the university.  These numbers demonstrate the personal attention and commitment extended to every student.

Undergraduate Students

Typically, half of the students at the School of Journalism and Mass Communications graduate in four years with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications.

Of those who do not, some take five or six years, some transfer out of the school to another major in the university, and some leave the university.

Three-quarters of our students return to the school as a sophomore.  Of those we lose, more than half transfer to another department within the university.  We view this as good advising and helping 18-year-olds understand proper educational paths.

The overall graduation rate listed in the Undergraduate New Student Retention and Graduation Rates is the official graduation rate as monitored and reported by the SC Commission on Higher Education.

Students' Cohort Year

Freshman-Sophomore Retention

2022 93.08%
2021 78.37%
2020 87.77%
2019 91.63%
2018  76.34%
2017 71.74%
2016 78.7%
2015 83.9%
2014 83.9%
2013 78.6%
2012 80.8%
2011 85.1%
2010 65.4%
2009 71.68%
2008 78.46% 
2007  75.47%
Students' Cohort Year Who Graduated from the SJMC in Four Years?
2019 76.68%
2018 71.18%
2017 60.87%
2016 73.66%
2015 73.66%
2014 73.4%
2013 71.05%
2012 74%
2011 73.2%
2010 69.1%
2009 61%
2008 66.9%

 

Master of Mass Communication Students

Our Face-to-Face Master of Mass Communication program has an outstanding record of student retention and graduation rates.

MMC Cohort Year How Many Students Began the MMC Program? Who Came Back for Second Year? Who Graduated within Two Years?
2022 26 92% 88%
2021 34 97% 97%
2020 36 96% 100% on schedule to graduate within two years
2019 17 95% 100% on schedule to graduate within two years
2018 12 92% 92% on schedule to graduate
within two years
2017 16 100% 82%
2016 7 100% 100%
2015 11 100% 100%
2014 11 100%  73%
2013 16 94% 82%
2012 9 100% 89%
2011 11 91% 82%
2010 18 89% 78%
2009 20 90%  83%
2008 19 89% 88%
2007 14 93%  85% 

Online Master of Mass Communication Students

MMC Cohort Year How Many Students Began the MMC Program? Who Came Back for Second Year? Who Graduated within Two Years?
2022 14 64% 77%
2021 14 79% 64%

 


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