Media Studies

The Media Studies program has provided information for students who plan to study abroad. Review your department’s responses to the Major Advising Questionnaires below, then contact the department directly with any additional questions.

Advising Resources

Study Abroad Information on the Media Studies Website

Media Studies Advising Contact Information

Berkeley Programs Questionnaire

Does your department currently sponsor a Berkeley Summer Abroad or Berkeley Global Internships program?

No. 

Do any courses offered on a Berkeley Summer Abroad or Berkeley Global Internships program currently satisfy requirements within your major?

Please check with the Media Studies department. Some courses offered through Berkeley Summer Abroad may count as Media Studies upper-division electives. Internship units do not satisfy any major requirements.  

UCEAP Programs Questionnaire

What is the maximum amount of major credit given for courses taken during UCEAP? Is this maximum calculated by number of courses or by units of credit?

There is no cap on the number of courses or units that students may take abroad for the Media Studies major. Courses taken abroad may only count towards upper-division electives; core courses for the major must be completed on the Berkeley campus.

Does your department maintain a list of courses previously awarded credit on UCEAP and/or a list of pre-approved courses for UCEAP programs? How do students access this information?

Yes. To see Media Studies electives approved from various UCEAP in countries around the world, we encourage you to search the Media Studies Course Database, which is coming soon. In the meantime, please contact the department for advising. 

Does your department have a 4-year or 2-year plan available to students that incorporates semester or year-length study abroad? How do students access this information?

Yes. Both four-year and two-year plans are available on our website.

What is the process in your department to have courses evaluated? What materials must be submitted? What is the timeframe for response?

A review of the course syllabus by a Media Studies faculty member is required. To streamline this process, we have pre-approved a number of courses on the Media Studies Course Database. For any courses not already pre-approved, the course syllabus must be submitted to a Media Studies faculty member. Decisions are generally made within one working week of submission of the syllabus. 

Are students in your department able to undertake a senior honors thesis the semester following UCEAP participation?

Yes, if they participate in UCEAP in their junior year. The Media Studies honors program is a year-long sequence. Students wishing to participate in honors must do so for their entire senior year.

Does your department calculate UCEAP grades into departmental GPA?

Yes. 

Are UCEAP grades counted towards departmental honors?

Yes. 

If you represent a department which teaches foreign language, does your department award major credit for the courses taken during the Intensive Language Program (ILP) portion of the UCEAP program?

N/A. 

Does the undergraduate adviser sign the UCEAP academic planning form, or must a faculty adviser sign?

The academic planning form must be signed by a faculty member.

Does your department place Academic holds on declared majors prior to each registration period? If yes, what is your departmental policy on releasing advising holds for students currently abroad on UCEAP (e.g. is advising possible via email, skype, etc.)?

No. 

Do you have any department specific advice for students participating on a UCEAP program in their last term at Berkeley?

Students are encouraged to seek pre-approval of any courses intended to count as upper-division electives prior to going abroad. Final approval requires a review of the course syllabus; this may be completed prior to, during, or after the semester abroad once students have access to the syllabus and are able to send it to a faculty advisor.

Independent Programs Questionnaire

Have any Independent programs been approved by your department and the Study Abroad Advisory board for credit in the major?

No. 

Are there any pre-approved courses for your major from other UC summer abroad programs (UCLA, UCD, etc.)?

No. Approval for these courses is still handled on an individual basis via syllabus review by a Media Studies faculty member.

What is the process to have a course from an Independent study abroad program evaluated for your major?

Course syllabi must be submitted to a Media Studies faculty member. Decisions are generally made within one working week of submission of the syllabus.