Sports Media

Major Description

The Sports Media major gives students the opportunity to explore the sports media industry from a variety of perspectives. Students will take classes in advertising, journalism, and media and cinema studies, all related to the sports media industry. As streaming, podcasting, and multi-screen sports viewing continue to reshape how teams, fans, and brands interact, graduates who understand these evolving dynamics will have an advantage in the job market.

Learn More

Degree Requirements

ICT Requirements

Courses That Introduce the Major

ADV 214—Sports Advertising & Branding
JOUR 161—Introduction to Sports Journalism
MACS 224—Sportsmedia Technology & Culture

Students should consult with an academic advisor regarding course selection prior to the advanced registration period.

Possible Career Opportunities

The Sports Media major prepares students for a variety of careers in sports media, including as PR and strategic communication professionals, content creators, digital storytellers, sports reporters, social media analysts, and more.

Common Career Skills

Storytelling
Communication Skills
Adaptable
Active Listening
Teamwork
Analytical Thinking

Common Career Titles

Public Relations Manager
Assistant Sports Information Director
Social Media Manager
Sports Reporter
Digital Content Strategist
Sponsorship Coordinator
Podcaster
Sports Documentary Producer

Some careers may require education beyond an undergraduate degree.

Enhancing Your Academic Experience

Participating in undergraduate research
Applying for a study abroad experience
Utilizing resources of The Career Center
Joining a Registered Student Organization (RSO) related to this major, such as:
- Illinois Sports Business Conference
- Future Women in Sports
- Fighting Illini Productions

Further Information

Several professional organizations are dedicated to sports media and can offer a glimpse into the field, its careers, and the opportunities available within it. One example is the National Sports Media Association.

Media & Cinema Studies

Major Description

Media and Cinema Studies provides students a critical understanding of multiple forms of media and communications from a liberal arts perspective, in addition to training them in the production of cinema and digital media. Students explore the theory and history of contemporary media as they relate to questions of culture, industry, representation, technology, politics, society, social justice, and aesthetics, both in the United States and internationally.

More About Media & Cinema Studies

Degree Requirements

ICT Requirements

Courses That Introduce the Major

MACS 100—Introduction to Popular TV & Movies
MACS 101—Intro to the Media
MACS 150 – Introduction to Digital Media Production
MACS 203 – Contemporary Movies

Students should consult with an academic advisor regarding course selection prior to the advanced registration period.

Possible Career Opportunities

Media and Cinema Studies graduates develop critical media literacy skills that contribute to a more informed and active citizenship, as these are the skills that guide workers of the new century.

Common Career Skills

Ability to collaborate
Ability to think logically and critically and make analogies
Attention to detail
Communication skills
Creative decision-making
Managing a budget
Networking Skills
Organizational Skills
Strong research skills
Writing and editing skills
Digital media literacy
Basic media production fundamentals
Audiovisual postproduction skills
Design fundamentals
Inclusive and accessible content creation

See more on the Media Career Resources website.

Common Career Titles

Cinematographer
Commentator
Communications Coordinator
Content Creator
Copywriter
Director
Documentary filmmaker
Editing and Postproduction
Festival Programmer
Film and Television Critic
Film and Television Development
Media Archivist
Media Production Assistant
Podcaster
Public Information Officer
Public and Media Relations Specialist
Producer
Screenwriter
Script Supervisor
Social Media Strategist

See more information in our Illini Success Report.

Some careers may require education beyond an undergraduate degree.

Enhancing Your Academic Experience

Participating in undergraduate research
Applying for a study abroad experience
Utilizing resources of The Career Center
Joining a Registered Student Organization (RSO) related to this major, such as:
- Illini Film and Video: Produces high quality independent projects to be screened on campus and beyond.
- UIUC Student Film Festival: The UIUC Student Film Festival is an annual celebration of the creativity and diversity of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign filmmaking communities. Each spring, students in MACS 464: Film Festivals learn the history, functions, and value of film festivals, and then gain experience organizing, producing, and promoting their own film fest
- The Illini Watchers: The Illini Watchers is a film discussion and review club open to all majors at the University of Illinois. Members of the club discuss movies they’ve watched, review recent releases and all kinds of classics, host screenings, record podcasts, and more.

Further Information

There are several professional organizations dedicated to Media and Cinema Studies. Their websites might be able to provide a glimpse in the world of Media and Cinema Studies. These organizations include Association for Women in Communication and Society for Cinema and Media Studies.

Journalism

Major Description

Journalism prepares students for varied careers in areas such as newspaper, magazine, broadcast, online journalism, and emerging media. Students learn the reporting, writing, editing, producing, and multimedia skills and concepts required to produce accurate, fair, and thorough journalism and to navigate the ever-changing news media landscape. The department aspires to prepare broadly educated professionals who eventually assume decision-making and leadership roles.

More About Journalism

Degree Requirements

ICT Requirements

Courses That Introduce the Major

JOUR 101—Interactive Media and You
JOUR 200—Introduction to Journalism

Students should consult with an academic advisor regarding course selection prior to the advanced registration period.

Possible Career Opportunities

Journalism graduates are prepared to translate their work through the multimedia platforms of today and the emerging technologies of tomorrow.

Common Career Skills

Computer skills
Gathering information and data
Interviewing skills
Investigative skills
Negotiating skills
Oral presentation skills
Working as a team
Working with deadlines
Writing skills

See more on the Media Career Resources website.

Common Career Titles

Multimedia Reporter
News Producer
Editor
Web Designer
Corporate Communication Specialist
Public Relations Specialist
Speechwriter
Digital Content Manager
Associate Copywriter

See more information in our Illini Success Report.

Some careers may require education beyond an undergraduate degree.

Enhancing Your Academic Experience

Participating in undergraduate research
Applying for a study abroad experience
Utilizing resources of The Career Center
Joining a Registered Student Organization (RSO) related to this major, such as:
- National Association of Black Journalists: works to improve the quality of news coverage by promoting diversity and ethical reporting.
- Society of Professional Journalists: provides student journalists with networking, internship and future job opportunities. SPJ offers a place to socialize and connect with the campus’ journalism community, as well as supplements classroom work through extracurricular opportunity to practice journalism skills.
- The Daily Illini: The Daily Illini provides the campus community with its No. 1 source for news, sports, commentary and opinion in print twice a week and online. With its award-winning website, The Daily Illini covers campus 24/7. Students have the opportunity to gain experience through reporting, writing, editing and selling advertising with this campus publication.

Further Information

There are several professional organizations dedicated to Journalism. Their websites might be able to provide a glimpse in the world of Journalism. These organizations include News Leaders Association, News/Media Alliance, and National Press Photographers Association.

Computer Science & Advertising

Major Description

Facing the increasing dominance of technology companies such as Facebook and Google in advertising, the CS+ADV degree is aimed at preparing students for a career in the new digital advertising ecosystem. In this new ecosystem, successful careers not only involve understanding and applying concepts in Computer science (e.g. “big data”; “automation”, “real-time systems”) to different aspects of Advertising but also infusing a strategic and creative thinking in the design and creation of new technologies. Students in CS+ADV will graduate with a thorough understanding of the CS core and a new advertising curriculum adapted to the emerging digital advertising space. Armed with this interdisciplinary learning experience, graduates of the CS+ADV program will be attractive to large advertising agencies, leading brands, and digital media and technology companies.

More About CS+ADV

Degree Requirements

ICT Requirements

Courses That Introduce the Major

CS 124—Intro to Computer Science 1
CS 128—Intro to Computer Science 2
CS 173 – Discrete Structures
CS 225 – Data Structures
MATH 220/221- Calculus/Calculus I
ADV 150 – Introduction to Advertising

Possible Career Opportunities

Common Career Skills

Analytical Skills
Data Analysis
Teamwork
Critical Thinking
Problem Solving
Communication Skills

See more on the Media Career Resources website.

Common Career Titles

Computer Programmer
Data analyst
Marketing Coordinator
Media Buyer
Public Relations Director
Software Engineer
Web designer

See more information in our Illini Success Report.

Some careers may require education beyond an undergraduate degree.

Enhancing Your Academic Experience

Participating in undergraduate research
Applying for a study abroad experience
Utilizing resources of The Career Center
Joining a Registered Student Organization (RSO) related to this major, such as:
- American Advertising Federation at Illinois: offers professional development opportunities in advertising through a nationally accredited organization
- Women in Computer Science: Women in Computer Science is a non-profit, educational, service organization dedicated to supporting the efforts of young women who are considering pursuit of a career in computer science or show an overall interest in computers.

Advertising

Major Description

Advertising teaches students about the role it plays in society, as well as its impact in business and sales. Advertising influences the products we buy, the media we consume, the causes we support, and the celebrities we follow on social media. In this program students will learn about branding, strategy, consumer behavior, and more. Advertising can be a reflection of social structure, an art form, and even a basis for community. Whether you are creative, analytical, interested in television, print, or digital media — the advertising major has something for everyone!

More About Advertising

Degree Requirements

ICT Requirements

Courses That Introduce the Major

ADV 150 – Introduction to Advertising
ADV 175 – Diversity in Advertising

Students should consult with an academic advisor regarding course selection prior to the advanced registration period.

Possible Career Opportunities

Advertising graduates are prepared to become not only practitioners, but also leaders in the quickly changing advertising industry. They are introduced to the structure, issues and language of the industry and then exposed to the analytical tools and critical thinking skills needed to succeed.

Common Career Skills

Analytical thinking
Communication skills
Creative
Initiative
People skills
Teamwork

See more on the Media Career Resources website.

Common Career Titles

Account Manager
Copywriter
Corporate Communication Specialist
Creative Director
Digital Marketing Strategist
Graphic Designer
Market Research Assistant
Marketing Associate
Media Planner
Public Relations Officer
Public Relations Specialist
Social Media Manager

See more information in our Illini Success Report.

Some careers may require education beyond an undergraduate degree.

Enhancing Your Academic Experience

Participating in undergraduate research
Applying for a study abroad experience
Utilizing resources of The Career Center
Joining a Registered Student Organization (RSO) related to this major, such as:
- American Advertising Federation at the University of Illinois: offers professional development opportunities in advertising through a nationally accredited organization.
- Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA): The Illinois Chapter of PRSSA provides its members with opportunities with our student-run PR agency — working with real clients every semester, the Roger Ebert Film Festival internship — putting together an entire PR campaign for the festival, and our annual networking trip to Chicago.
- The Fashion Network: The Fashion Network is a student group that helps students interested in fashion get connected. The group explores all aspects of the fashion industry and creates projects to be implemented on campus.

Further Information

There are several professional organizations dedicated to Advertising. Their websites might be able to provide a glimpse in the world of Advertising. These organizations include American Association of Advertising Agencies and American Advertising Federation.