The B.A. major in Entertainment Media degree program prepares students for careers in advertising, communications, entertainment and social media. Entertainment Media students can launch successful careers with a strong base of skills from communication, business, legal studies, and English courses.
Students are prepared to promote, publicize, critique, and write about various aspects of the entertainment industry, including movies, television, gaming, and online productions.
A mix of courses in communications, digital media, and professional communication, as well as opportunities to apply their knowledge through student media outlets and publications provide a variety of education experiences.
Students complete at least one required internship and a capstone experience in which they develop a digital portfolio to showcase their skills and abilities in the field of communication.
Entertainment Media majors have access to a multi-cam TV studio, green screen, post-production lab (equipped with Adobe CC including Premiere and AfterEffects), professional lighting and sound kits.
What You'll Learn
From your first day, you’ll take courses in your major and advance towards graduation with a yearly plan. Not sure what classes to take? We’ll help you create the perfect plan.
Connected Learning complements traditional approaches with active learning experiences by doing internships, service learning, and challenging projects in and out of the classroom.
SOCA DAY
SOCA DAY, is a new twist on our annual COMDay event, reflecting synergies between communication and graphic design in digital media fields and within our school. This annual professional networking event provides students with opportunities to meet and network with industry experts in journalism, TV, radio, public relations, advertising, and sports communication, specifically with editors, contributors, and executives from the Boston Globe, Comcast SportsNet, Major League Baseball, Johnson & Johnson, and JetBlue. Featured guests have included:
Michael Rezendes - the Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, portrayed by Mark Ruffalo in Spotlight.
Alan Ives - Vice President of ABCNews and multi-Emmy winner.
NESN's Next Producer
Lasell faculty provided students the mentorship and skills to create and submit and sports-related short film for NESN's Next Producer, a competition with a prize of $20,000 and a yearlong internship with NESN. In the recent season, two Lasell students were included in the top 12 entries, with a Lasell student being selected as the winner of the competition.
Student Publications & On-Campus Resources
Lasell is home to several student-run publications, including: the 1851 Chronicle student newspaper; Tarnished, which celebrates the visual and written arts; and Polished, our award-winning fashion magazine.
Students have numerous opportunities to work at our state-of-the-art Lasell University radio station WLAS 102.9FM, in programming, production, and promotions - 25% of student shows are run by first year students
Students have access to the studios of NewTV, Newton's community-access cable television station.
Washington D.C.
Students have multiple opportunities to experience the media industry in Washington D.C.:
Annual 3-day trip to Washington D.C.:Students experience the media industry by exploring places such as the Newseum, The Press Club, NPR, and more. Recently, students met with members of U.S. Representative Joe Kennedy's team. Students have visited the White House, the National Press Club, and Fleishman Hill PR, as well as met and networked with former students and the Press Secretary in Senator Elizabeth Warren's office.
Semester-in-Washington D.C.: Students spend a semester studying and working at an internship in Washington D.C.
Meryl Perlson, M.F.A. Interim Dean of the School of Communication & the Arts, Professor of Communication, Program Chair of Communication Area of Expertise: documentary, digital storytelling, video production & community-based media
Deborah Baldizar, M.F.A. Assistant Professor of Art and Graphic Design Area of Expertise: intersection of art and education; sculpture; drawing
Janice Barrett, Ed.D. Professor of Communication Area of Expertise: conflict resolution strategies; political communication; journalism
Kenneth Calhoun, M.F.A. Associate Professor of Art and Graphic Design, Program Director of Graphic Design Area of Expertise: creative writing; design; creative direction; digital storytelling
Stephen Fischer, M.F.A. Associate Professor of Graphic Design Area of Expertise: fine art; photography; illustration; publications design; art direction
Margo Lemieux, M.F.A., M.Ed. Professor Emerita Area of Expertise: painting; drawing; printmaking; new media; graphic design
Luis Lopez-Preciado, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Communication Area of Expertise: marketing; management; advertising
Brian J. Wardyga, Ed.D. Associate Professor of Communication; General Manager, Lasell College Radio Area of Expertise: radio production; video production; video games; computer graphics; effective speaking
Vladimir Zimakov, M.A. Diane Heath Beever '49 Associate Professor of Art, Director of the Wedeman Gallery Area of Expertise: design; illustration; package design; website development; branding corporate identity; exhibition curation
Learning Outcomes
Communicate clearly and effectively with diverse audiences through writing, oral, and non-verbal methods.
Critically analyze the content, functions, effects and ethics of media in a diverse, global society.
Formulate applied communication research questions and employ quantitative or qualitative methods to gather, analyze, and share findings.
Employ tools and technology within industry standards to plan, create, present, and evaluate professional communications.
Identify and articulate one's skills, strengths and experiences relative to communication career goals, and identify areas necessary for professional growth.
Save time and money — earn your graduate degree in just 1 year with the Accelerated Master's program. Learn more and how to apply >>
Undergraduate alumni return to Lasell for second (or third!) degrees Read their stories >>
Career Success in the Entertainment Media Industry
The Entertainment major prepares media literate, digitally adept graduates to pursue careers in media, corporate communications, promotions and other communication fields.
Our students have interned with:
Camera & jumbotron, TD Garden
Content Writer, Giving Forward
Podcast intern, Staples
Production Assistant, WCVB
Social Media intern, BVM sports
PR intern, Kortenhaus Communications
Our alumni work for:
Kraft Sport Group
Marriott
CNBC, as a Video Editor
US Department of Transportation
MLB Network
Request more information about the Entertainment Media Major:
This course is designed to provide an understanding of the most important communication and career-related formats of professional writing, including power point presentations, memos, business letters, reports, brief speeches, instructions, newsletters and brochures. Special emphasis is given to various writing processes one must complete on a tight deadline for a business audience of peers, customers or employers. Prerequisite: ENG 102.
COM208 - Public Relations
In this course, students explore the evolution, theoretical basis for, and practice of professional Public Relations. Students review the history and current practices of Public Relations and examine the differences between PR and advertising; press relations and public affairs; promotions and news events; marketing and media placements. Students gain insights into the Public Relations function for corporations, high tech companies, government agencies, politics, education, the entertainment industry, sports, and non-profit institutions. Lectures, case studies, readings, group work, guest speakers, and class discussions focus on techniques useful in such areas as local and national publicity, special events, and community and government relations for organizations. Prerequisite: COM101
COM216 - Entertainment Media
A focus on the entertainment media industry requires making sense of the material that captures the audience's attention, influences culture, and provides enjoyment to mass media consumers. Course topics include the business of entertainment media, the production and distribution of media content, and multimedia convergence. Students in this course examine the multiple genres for the content of entertainment media, such as drama, comedy, reality TV, and gaming. Students learn how the entertainment industry works, captures the interests of contemporary audiences, and influences our culture and values. Prerequisite: COM 101. Formerly - COM302
COM225 - Producing
Producing introduces students to the basics of TV producing. Students learn the process of writing a pitch, proposal, treatment, and budget. They also learn the fundamentals of basic screenwriting and production scheduling, as well as managing cast, crew and vendor relationships. The course also explores the roles of the casting director, location manager, production coordinator, and script supervisor. The course concludes with a preview of the production team and the role of the line producer, unit production manager, production manager and assistant directors involved in managing the physical production process of producing a television show. This course emphasizes the competency of writing and research.
COM307 - Understanding Video Games
Understanding Video Games introduces students to the foundation, process, and impact of the video game industry. Students evolve from merely riding the gaming highway to analyzing and deconstructing it. The course pays particular attention to the history and breakthroughs in the technology, social and political impacts such as the ESRB, sex and violence in games, as well as past, present and future trends of the gaming market.
COM330 - Strategic Campaigns
This course integrates the knowledge students have acquired in previous courses in the field of marketing communications. Students will develop a strategic communication campaign that is grounded on both an organization’s objectives and a thorough understanding of a target audience. Students will work with a client (real or fictitious), on an actual campaign that includes marketing and communication objectives, primary and secondary consumer research, a target-centered strategy, tactical recommendations, execution of the creative brief, and an evaluation plan. Special emphasis will be placed on the strategic work that goes into developing, planning, and executing the campaign within industry standards. Prerequisites: COM208 Public Relations or COM221 OR BUSS220
COM332 - Television & Film Studies
This course explores TV and film as both art forms and artifacts of cultural communication. Students analyze TV and film through various perspectives such as narrative structure, genres, aesthetics, audience reception and social functions. Through these lenses, the course explores the interplay between industry developments, content, and delivery methods such as streaming, moviegoing, and broadcasting. Prerequisites: COM101.