201 Carnegie Building
University Park, PA 16802
Academic Year Represented
2024
Mission Statement
To prepare students to take their place in an information-rich society and in the professions as active, critical and ethical participants. Our activities promote effective, responsible use of communications media and technologies by individuals, organizations, industries and government.
Technology/Equipment/Facilities
The Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications maintains more than two dozen technology learning spaces in two buildings on the University Park campus. Room descriptions and details are available at https://www.bellisario.psu.edu/current/facilities-technology.
Undergraduate Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Arts in Advertising/Public Relations; Bachelor of Arts in Digital Journalism and Media (online); Bachelor of Arts in Film Production; Bachelor of Arts in Journalism; Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies; Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications (online); Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunications and Media Industries
Graduate Degrees Offered
Master of Arts in Media Studies; Master of Professional Studies in Strategic Communications (online); Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Communications
Majors
Advertising/Public Relations; Digital Journalism and Media (online); Film Production; Journalism; Media Studies; Strategic Communications (online); Telecommunications and Media Industries
Tracks within Majors
Advertising/Public Relations Advertising Option; Advertising/Public Relations Public Relations Option; Journalism Broadcast Option; Journalism Digital and Print Option; Journalism Photojournalism Option; Media Studies Film and Television Studies Option; Media Studies International Communications Option (phasing out); Media Studies Media Effects Option; Media Studies Society and Culture Option
Internships Accepted for Credit
Students in the Bellisario College of Communications can receive up to six credits of internship throughout their entire undergraduate college career. The College has a comprehensive list of just over 4,600 internship sites that we share with our students as a starting point for an internship search. Each of these internship sites has been vetted and approved by the College for students to receive academic credit for an internship experience with the particular company/organization.
Internships Facilitated
Internships must be in a professional communication setting with an industry professional providing the proper guidance and mentoring to the student. The assistant dean for internships and career placement and the manager of internships assist students in finding opportunities that match their skills and competencies and keep in touch with both the intern and the supervisor during the internship experience.
Experiential and/or Immersion Programs for Credit
- Semester in Residence: Hollywood, CA - Washington, D.C. Program - Each major offers an embedded travel abroad course: https://bellisario.psu.edu/current/study-abroad - Service learning projects are included in COMM 473 PR Campaigns, COMM 469 Photography for the Mass Media and COMM 498 Inside Out Prison Exchange.. - Students complete more than 330 for-credit internships per year: https://bellisario.psu.edu/career-services-and-internships/internships
Online Options
Bachelor of Arts in Digital Journalism and Media; Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications; Master of Professional Studies in Strategic Communications
Study-Abroad Options
Each major in the Bellisario College offers a study abroad opportunity through an embedded travel course. Advertising/Public Relations: COMM 426 International and Intercultural Strategic Communications, Film Production: COMM 437A Advanced Documentary Production Abroad, Journalism: COMM 402 International Reporting, Media Studies: COMM 419H World Media Systems, Telecommunications and Media Industries: COMM 491A International Telecommunications - Travel
Graduate Programs
Master of Arts in Media Studies; Master of Professional Studies in Strategic Communications (online); Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Communications
Department Budget
$25,481,323
Amount Spent per Student
$9,192
Undergrad Student Fees
$275
Undergraduate Student Fees Exclusive of Housing and Meal Plan
$275
Undergraduate Student Fees for Housing and Meal Plan
$14,474
Undergrad In-State Tuition
$20,644
Undergrad Out-of-State Tuition
$41,790
Average Undergraduate Financial Aid
$23,820
Average Undergraduate Student Debt
$25,000
Graduate Student Fees
$550
Graduate In-State Tuition
$25,966
Graduate Out-of-State Tuition
$46,796
Average Graduate Financial Aid
$24,525
Average Graduate Student Debt
$0
Total Accredited Unit Enrollment
2807
Undergraduate Enrollment
2772
Graduate Enrollment
35
Number of In-State Students
1307
Percentage of In-State Students
47
Number of International Students
116
Percentage of International Students
4
Male
897
Female
1723
Not Specified
17
White
1912
Black
130
Asian
56
Hispanic/Latino
264
Pacific Islands or Native Hawaiian
2
Native American or Native Alaskan
3
Other
405
Average Size of Skill Based Classes
15
Average Size of Non-Skill Based Classes
40
First Year Student (Freshman) Retention Rate at University
92
Four Year Completion Rate
71
Six Year Completion Rate
86
Full-Time Employment within Six Months of Graduation
Full-Time Employment Within Field of Study
Part-Time Employment Within Field of Study
Full-Time Employment Not In Field of Study
Part-Time Employment Not In Field of Study
Attending a Graduate Program
Unemployed
Unknown Status
Full-Time Faculty
80
Part-Time Faculty
60
Faculty with Tenure
30
Faculty on Tenure Track
7
Untenured Part-Time Faculty
60
Untenured Full-Time Faculty
50
Percentage of Faculty within Scholarship or Research Field
Male
58
Female
54
Unspecified
0
White
86
Black
8
Asian
11
Hispanic/Latino
3
Pacific Island or Native Hawaiian
0
Native American or Native Alaskan
0
Other
16
Faculty-to-Student Ratio for All Classes
34
Faculty-to-Student Ratio for Skill Classes
15
Comments on Quantitative Numbers
New graduate employment statistics: The University does not compile six-month job placement statistics.