Minor Program Offerings

Undergraduate students at Texas Tech University are encouraged to complete a minor that will allow them to explore a particular passion, round-out their chosen degree and contribute to their career aspirations. With good planning and help from their college adviser, students can complete both a major and a minor in four years and still graduate on time.

The College of Media & Communication offers nine undergraduate minors:

• Advertising
• Commercial & Editorial Photography
• Communication Studies
• Creative Media Industries
• Esports
• Game Studies
• Journalism
• Professional Communication
• Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management
  
  

In addition to, or in place of a minor, students may also consider earning an undergraduate certificate in Entertainment Media, Game Design and Culture, Motion Picture Production Sports Media or Strategic Communication Management.

Students may also be interested in the graduate certificates offered by the College of Media & Communication.

Advertising Undergraduate Minor

Our Advertising program gives students an understanding of the creative and business-related aspects of advertising, including copywriting, sales, graphic production, creative strategy and media planning. The department also hosts industry professionals who speak to students about internships and careers in advertising.

Advertising Undergraduate Minor Requirements:

A minor in advertising consists of a minimum of 21 hours. At least 12 of the 21 hours must be taken in residence. 

Students selecting a minor in advertising are required to pass ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302 and have a 2.5 TTU GPA prior to enrolling in ADV 3312. 

Students who minor in Advertising must complete:

• Three Required Courses:
  • ADV 3310 Principles of Advertising
  • ADV 3320 Advertising and Society
  • MCOM 1301 Introduction to Digital and Social Media
• Choose Four Courses from:
  • ADV 3312 Advertising Writing
  • ADV 3318 Advertising Research and Consumer Insights
  • ADV 3330 Advertising Theory
  • ADV 3340 Internet and New Media Advertising
  • ADV 3350 Sports Advertising
  • ADV 3351 Advertising Media Planning
  • ADV 3361 Advertising Design and Layout
  • ADV 4000 Special Projects in Integrated Communications in Advertising
  • ADV 4300 Individual Study in Advertising
  • ADV 4301 Special Topics in Advertising
  • ADV 4304 Advanced Creative Strategy
  • ADV 4306 Advertising Typeface Appreciation
  • ADV 4313 International Advertising
  • ADV 4320 Integrated Brand Management
  • ADV 4330 Advertising Sales

Questions about Advertising as minor or major?

Contact Academic Advisor Angelica Onigbinde, or the Department of Advertising & Brand Strategy Chair Dr. Shannon Bichard.

Learn more about our Advertising program. 

Commercial & Editorial Photography Minor

The Commercial & Editorial Photography minor provides students with comprehensive training in both the technical and creative aspects of photographic practice. This program is ideal for students seeking to develop professional-level photography skills to complement their major field of study or to pursue photography as a serious creative endeavor.

Required Courses:

• PHOT 2310   Principles of Photography
• PHOT 3310   Photography 1
• PHOT 3330   Post Workflow
• CMI 4315      Studio & Location Lighting
• CMI 4330      Freelancing in CMI
• CMI or PHOT Elective (3000+)  Various

Questions about commercial and editorial photography as a minor? 

Contact Academic Advisor Don Ellis or Dr. Miglena Sternadori, Department of Journalism & Creative Media Industries Chair.

 

Communication Studies Undergraduate Minor

Through a dynamic and engaging curriculum that includes classes in interpersonal, organizational, and intercultural communication, combined with courses in popular culture and public affairs, Communication Studies students learn to think critically and communicate clearly and compellingly. Taught by award-winning teachers and scholars, our courses prepare students to be leaders in any industry.

Communication Studies Undergraduate Minor Requirements:

A minor in communication studies consists of 18 hours of COMS courses, at least 6 hours of which must be completed in residence at Texas Tech.

Students who minor in Communication Studies must complete:

• Two Required Courses:
  • COMS 1310 Fundamentals of Communication
  • COMS 2300 Public Speaking
• Choose One Course:
  • COMS 3301 Communication Theory
  • COMS 3310 Rhetoric in Western Thought
• Of the remaining 9 hours, 6 must be in upper level (junior/senior) courses.

Questions about Communication Studies as minor or major?

Contact Academic Advisor Marissa Lopez or the Department of Communication Studies Chair Dr. Mark Gring.

Learn more about our Communication Studies program. 

Creative Media Industries Undergraduate Minor

Through an emphasis on commercial practice and portfolio development, our Creative Media Industries program trains digital storytellers who exhibit excellence in the creation, distribution, and analysis of creative media content in diverse U.S. and global media marketplaces. Our program offers courses in film, television, gaming & interactive media, audio, photography, and writing.

Creative Media Industries Undergraduate Minor Requirements:

A minor in Creative Media Industries consists of a minimum of 21 hours, at least 12 hours of which must be completed in residence at Texas Tech. 

Students minoring in Creative Media Industries are required to pass either MCOM 2320 or JOUR 2310. If a student minoring in CMI chooses to take JOUR 2310, they are required to pass the college’s Basics of Writing (BOW) exam, in addition to passing ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302 with a C or better.

Students who minor in Creative Media Industries must complete:

• Four Required Courses:
  • CMI 2310 Introduction to Creative Media Industries
  • JCMI 2301 Introduction to Media Production and Composition
  • JCMI 2302 Foundations of Digital Post-Production and Workflow
  • MCOM 2320 Writing for Media and Communication
    OR JOUR 2310 - News Writing
• Choose One Course from:
  • CMI 3370 Interactive Media Storytelling
  • CMI 4370 Writing for Series Television
  • CMI 4375 Writing for Feature Films
• Choose One Course from:
  • CMI 3300 Creative Media Industries and Society
  • CMI 3315 Introduction to Web Design
  • CMI 3355 Ethnicity, Race, Gender in Media
  • CMI 3358 International Creative Media Industries
  • CMI 4320 CMI Capstone
  • PHOT 3310 Photography I
• Choose 3 final hours of electives from any CMI or PHOT course.

Questions about Creative Media Industries as minor or major?

Contact Academic Advisor Don Ellis or the Department of Journalism & Creative Media Industries Chair Dr. Miglena Sternadori

Learn more about our Creative Media Industries program. 

Esports Minor

The esports minor prepares students for esports careers by blending foundational knowledge, media production skills, event management and professional experience. Open to all majors, it explores esports culture, economics, and communication.

Requirements include fundamentals courses, practicum, internship, and electives (e.g., sports advertising, gaming culture, social media, sports journalism). Graduates are ready for roles as players, managers, communicators, and industry professionals. 

Required Courses:

• MCOM 4310 Fundamentals of Esports
• MCOM 4370 Esports Practicum
• INTERNSHIP Internship from ADV, PRSC, CMI, JOUR, SPMT (must be esports focused)

Choose 1 Course from the Following:

• ADV 3350     Sports Advertising
• ANTH 3326   Anthropology of Martial Arts
• CMI 3375      Digital Gaming Culture
• ECO 3310     Sports Economics
• HIST 3338    History of Sports & Recreation in the U.S.
• JOUR 4305   Sports & Media
• MCOM 2340 Social Media Influencing
• MCOM 4301 Esports, AI and Ethics
• PRSC 3354   Sports PR
• PRSC 4301   Global Sports PR
• PSY 3345     Clinical Sport & Performance Psychology
• SPMT 3300* Marketing and Revenue Strategies in Esports
• SPMT 3300* Legal, Ethical and Media Issues in Esports
• SPMT 3300* Business Operations in Esports
• SPMT 4353* Social Issues in Sport

Choose 2 Courses from the Following:

• ADV 4301     Sports Media Planning & Analytics
• CMI 3100      Raider Vision
• CMI 4390      Raider Vision
• CMI 4301      Producing for Sports
• CMI 4301      Sports Photography
• JOUR 4306   Sports Journalism
• SPMT 4355* Sport Facilities & Event Management
• *Restricted to SPMT majors/minors; A&S minors with SPMT concentrations; and esports (ESPT) minors

Questions about esports as a minor? 

Contact Academic Advisor Jose Andino or Professional Communication Area Coordinator Anthony LaStrape.

 

Game Studies Minor

Students in the Game Studies minor learn to use digital and physical interactive media as a form of expression. Students who complete the minor will learn about the historical and theoretical contexts of games in society, practical production skills using a range of creation tools, and the media ecosystem produced by gaming culture.

Required Courses:

• CMI 3370      Interactive Media Storytelling
• CMI 3373      Introduction to Game Development
• CMI 3375      Digital Gaming Culture
• CMI 3377      Designing for Play
• CMI Elective  Various
• MCOM 2320 Writing for Media & Communication

Questions about game studies as a minor? 

Contact Academic Advisor Don Ellis or Journalism & Creative Media Industries Chair Dr. Miglena Sternadori.

 

Journalism Undergraduate Minor

Our Journalism program is leading the way in developing storytellers that thrive in this multimedia world. Students have the opportunity to produce news and information using a variety of media, including social, print, broadcast and online. Alumni are finding jobs as reporters, producers, editors, photographers and other news positions, as well as progressing to upper-level management positions, such as anchoring CBS Evening News and being vice president of Mattel, Inc. The industry has recognized our graduates with five Pulitzer Prizes.

Journalism Undergraduate Minor Requirements:

A minor in Journalism consists of a minimum of 21 hours, at least 12 hours of which must be completed in residence at Texas Tech.

Students choosing to minor in journalism are required to pass the college’s Basics of Writing (BOW) exam; pass ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302 with grades of C or better; and have a 2.5 GPA prior to enrolling in JOUR 2310.

Students who minor in Journalism must complete:

• Six Required Courses:
  • JOUR 2300 Principles of Journalism
  • JOUR 2310 News Writing
  • JOUR 3311 Online Journalism Production
  • JOUR 3312 Reporting
  • JOUR 3380 Editing
  • JOUR 4370 Advanced Reporting
• Choose 3 final hours of electives from upper-level journalism courses.

Questions about Journalism as minor or major?

Contact Academic Advisor Jose Andino, or the Department of Journalism & Creative Media Industries Chair Dr. Miglena Sternadori.

Learn more about our Journalism program.

Professional Communication Undergraduate Minor

With its professional focus and training that cuts across communication disciplines, our Professional Communication program trains students to innovate and succeed in any industry or entrepreneurial venture. Professional Communication alumni are pursuing careers in digital, brand and social media strategy; media analysis and research; e-commerce; communication planning; media consulting; and media management.

Professional Communication Undergraduate Minor Requirements:

A minor in Professional Communication consists of a minimum of 21 hours, at least 12 hours of which must be completed in residence at Texas Tech.

Students who minor in Professional Communication must complete:

• • MCOM 1301 Introduction to Digital & Social Media
  • PCOM 2310 Principles of Professional Communication
  • PCOM 2320 Corporate Citizenship
  • PCOM 3315 Data Visualization for Media
  • PCOM 3373 Business Communication
  • PCOM 3385 Media Insights & Data Analytics
    - or -
    PCOM 4301 Special Topics in Professional Communication
  • PCOM 4325 Media Entrepreneurship
    - or -
    PCOM 4373 DMPC Capstone

Questions about Professional Communication as minor?

Contact Academic Advisor Jose Andino, or the Professional Communication Area Coordinator Anthony LaStrape.

Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management Undergraduate Minor

Our Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management program teaches students skills in media relations, building and managing public and business relationships, planning strategic campaigns, writing releases, designing graphics and creating content. We offer many specialized courses on specific PR topics, such as crisis communication and advanced social media monitoring, that offer students the opportunity to work with real-world clients.

Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management Undergraduate Minor Requirements:

A minor in Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management consists of a minimum of 21 hours, at least 12 hours of which must be completed in residence at Texas Tech.

Students who minor in Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management must complete:

• Five Required Courses:
  • MCOM 1300 Foundations of Media & Communication
  • PRSC 2310 Principles of Public Relations
  • PRSC 3311 Public Relations Strategies
  • PRSC 3300 Applied PR Theory
    OR MCOM 3300 Theories of Media & Communication
  • *PRSC 4380 Applied PR Research
    OR *MCOM 3380 Research Methods
    • *MATH 2300 (“C” or better) is required prior to enrolling in PR 4380 or MCOM 3380.
• Plus 6 Hours of Electives - Choose Two Courses from:
  • PRSC 2330 Advocacy & Activism
  • PRSC 3351 Public Relations for Nonprofits
  • PRSC 3352 Public Relations Event Management
  • PRSC 3353 Political Public Relations
  • PRSC 3354 Sports Public Relations
  • PRSC 4301 Special Topics (topics vary; may be repeated)
  • PRSC 4310: RaiderComm Agency Experience
  • PRSC 4350 Crisis Communication
  • PRSC 4351 International & Multicultural PR

Questions about the PRSC minor or major?

Contact Academic Advisor Rachel Speer, or Department Chair Dr. Trent Seltzer.

Learn more about our Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management program.