Media Literacy, BA
With this degree, you can become an active, informed participant of the digital world, ready to take on societal issues pertaining to media, technology, privacy and information verification.
Quick facts
Courses
or any math course that meets the MATH designation
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
This program's name has changed effective Fall 2026. The previous name was Digital Media Literacy.
Degree description
Organizations of all sizes, public and private, are learning to cope with unprecedented changes in how people interact with and use information. The Bachelor of Arts program in media literacy prepares you to be at the forefront of the important strategic and ethical issues related to digital media, including automation, verification, security and privacy.
You learn to use advanced tools and tactics to analyze the context of the media that people consume. You verify and interpret information to make decisions that improve your own life and benefit the larger society.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| MCO 101 Grammar for Mass Communication |
| MCO 120 Media and Society |
| MCO 125 Developing Media Content |
| JMC 201 Media Writing |
| MCO 205 Information Gathering |
| MCO 213 Principles and History of Media |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Apply the values, principles, ethics and legal standards of media literacy in media work.
- Critically evaluate information, content, and research in professional contexts.
- Actively and responsibly engage in media networks to promote critical engagement, media accountability, and informed civic participation.
Apply the values, principles, ethics and legal standards of media literacy in media work.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available to them, media literacy students are able to tailor their experience to their specific interests and skill sets. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S., or online, students build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships across the world, increasing their professional network.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) | 5.6% | $64,070 | Learn more |
| Community Specialist | 5.5% | $56,730 | Learn more |
| Educator | 1.8% | $50,890 | Learn more |
| Library Media Specialist | 2.6% | $68,270 | Learn more |
| News Reporter | -5.9% | $62,200 | Learn more |
| Production Assistant | 3.9% | $73,620 | Learn more |
| Public Relations Specialist | 1.8% | $74,750 | Learn more |
| Religious Education Director | 3.3% | $52,100 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
p>Graduates pursue a variety of professional and educational opportunities. The program's liberal arts foundation --- including critical thinking, communication, research and problem-solving --- gives students the intellectual agility to thrive in many fields. Specialization in the technical, ethical, legal, social and economic aspects of digital media is especially valuable, as employers of all sizes try to leverage digital media in serving consumers.
As organizations try to keep up with digital transformation and plan for the future, having a deep understanding of how digital ecosystems work is critical. Demand for graduates of media literacy in fields such as health care communication, public service and sustainability is anticipated to rise, and the U.S. Department of Labor categorizes many jobs in these areas as having a bright outlook in the job market.
Given increasing emphasis on teaching media literacy at every age level, graduates can expect to find employment opportunities in a variety of educational settings. Some may pursue graduate school in disciplines such as education, library science, law, public policy, business, public relations, digital strategy and journalism.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm
|
CRONK 222
cronkiteadvising@asu.edu
602-496-5055
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
