Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The only person who can approve classes as either prerequisites or electives for the Mass Communications major is the faculty advisor, Professor Jean Retzinger (jpretz@berkeley.edu). Please provide her with a description of the class. A syllabus will be required for a proposed substitute for MC 10.

What should a student do in order to receive academic credit for an internship?

The Mass Communications program only sponsors internships for juniors and seniors who are officially declared Mass Comm majors. These students should contact the faculty advisor, Professor Jean Retzinger (jpretz@berkeley.edu) for details.

What advice do you have for students transferring to the major from other degree programs?

Students who wish to become Mass Communications majors are urged to apply to Berkeley in the Fall U.C. application process. (Prospective students apply in November for admission the following fall.)

• At this point you should direct your questions to the advisors at the Office of Undergraduate Admissions (642-3175) to be sure that you have completed the minimum requirements for transfer to the College of Letters and Science.

If you have completed freshman/transfer requirements and you meet their admission standards, you may be offered admission to the University as a prospective mass communications major. When you arrive on campus the following fall you must join "native" Berkeley students in applying directly to the major program.

PLEASE NOTE: Admission to the department is an entirely separate process that follows admission to the University. Although University admissions tries to select students that appear to have a strong chance of successful application to the major program, admission to the University does not guarantee admission to the major. Students must apply to the major when they arrive on campus in the fall semester.

AFTER YOUR ARRIVAL AT BERKELEY . . .
Because we are a group major, our resources are restricted, and we can only accommodate a limited number of majors. Admission to the major is by special application, made to the department after your admission to Berkeley and your arrival on campus. Applications at the department level are are now accepted throughout the academic year. Students who are interested in the major should consult with Marty Gaetjens, the Student Affairs Officer in 343 Campbell Hall early in their academic careers for advising on the application process. At the time of application, prospective majors should have completed at least three of the four prerequisite courses, including Mass Communications 10. The final prerequisite must be completed or in progress at the time of application.

See also "Important Information for all Applicants" under Declaring the Major