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 2020, students have access to 50 full-time faculty. 

---

Students

We have an interesting and diverse group of students from all over the United States and abroad.  
In Fall 2022, we have 1454 undergraduate students and 84 graduate students.

Undergraduate Enrollment By Major
Advertising - 285
Broadcast Journalism - 194
Journalism - 145
Mass Communications - 303
Public Relations - 309
Visual Communications - 218

---

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
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?
May 2016	73.66%
May 2015	73.66%
May 2014	73.4%
May 2013	71.05%
May 2012	74%
May 2011	73.2%
May 2010	69.1%
May 2009	61%
May 2008	66.9%

 

Master of Mass Communication Students

Our 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?
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%