Tuesday , March 26 2024

See Top Five Most Popular New Communication Degree Programmes About to Begin in Nigerian Universities

As many Universities in Nigeria begin the process of unbundling Mass Communication department into seven new degree programmes, it is gradually becoming clearer which areas of specialty are the most popular in the industry, or so it seems.

Recall that professors, professionals and practitioners of communication in Nigeria had presented new communication curricula to National Universities Commission (NUC) seeking the unbundling of mass communication into seven departments. The NUC had approved the Curriculum which resulted in the emergence of seven degree-awarding programmes and the phasing out of the single BSc/BA Degree Programme in Mass Communication currently offered in different Faculties in different universities.

The seven new Programmes/Departments, to be domiciled in a Faculty/School/College of Communication and Media Studies are: Journalism & Media Studies, Public Relations, Advertising, Broadcasting, Film & Multi-Media Studies, Development Communication Studies, Information & Media Studies.

Departments of Mass Communication in several universities have already commenced board meetings on how to gradually transform into a school of communication with the seven new programmes. A number of departments already have committees set up to work out the process of unbundling

Some mass communication departments have started the process of unbundling their programme into seven new degrees approved by the NUC. Either they have already had board meetings where the issue has been discussed or they are already at advanced stages of setting up committees, writing proposals, notifying the University Senate or recruiting staff in preparations for transition into a faculty of communication. Massmediang investigations revealed that several universities are already gearing up to unbundle Mass Communication degree programme. Some of these schools already had their School/Faculty of Communication approved by their university Senate even before NUC gave the directive to all schools.

Recall that you do not have to start with the seven programmes at the same time if you do not have the resources to do so. What you need do is get Senate approval for the seven pogrammes then begin with a minimum of three departments so you can make up a faculty of school of Communication Studies.

Massmediang investigations revealed that most schools are about to commence the unbundling with at least four of the new programmes. You won’t believe that almost all the school are starting with exact same programmes, giving the impression that these are either the most sought-after programmes, the most lucrative or the ones existing lecturers in Mass Communication department have capacity and competence to commence. Here is a list of the new programmes several departments of mass communication are about to begin. The list is in order of the most present to the least present in the new communication faculties across the nation. If you make your own independent enquiries you will confirm that the top four on this list are definitely among the new programmes about to commence in several universities in Nigeria.

Journalism & Media Studies Department

This is one programme you MUST see in every new Communication School as departments of Mass Communication begin to unbundle. Even if the department involved wants to begin with just three programmes you will find Journalism & Media Studies as a programme or department in the Communication Faculty. In fact, it is seen as the programme among the seven that is closest to Mass Communication, though with journalism slant. Almost every university has lecturers in mass communication that specialize in this area, making it one of the most popular degree programmes about to commence in several Universities.

Journalism & Media Studies is one of the most popular degrees in mass communication schools across the world. It is more all-encompassing than many other degrees. This is why it is among the most sought-after degrees by candidates who wish to gain broad knowledge of activities and emerging trends in journalism and media world.  Click here to read more about Journalism & Media Studies degree programme.

 

READ ALSO: WORST UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA TO STUDY MASS COMMUNICATION

READ ALSO: See Seven Powerful Courses To Replace Mass Communication Degree In Nigeria

 

Public Relations & Advertising Department

Most schools are merging these two programmes into one department for a start. It means that You MUST find Public Relations as a degree programme, and Advertising as a degree programme, but for lack of resources the two programmes will combine to form one department called Advertising and Public Relations Department. This is currently happening in so many Univerisities in Nigeria that are about to unbundle their departments of mass communication. There is no way you won’t find these two exciting programmes which are among the most-sought after in the country. Very few schools are having them in two separate departmenst foe now but almost every other school is having one department (Ad & PR department) that will award offer two separate degrees.

Public relations is one of the most sought-after programmes in media and communication training schools in Nigeria and across the world. Many Nigerian graduates want to major in public relations primarily due to the exciting, prestigious and lucrative nature of this discipline. Even graduates without a background in communication can major in public relations with basic training in this discipline. People who have written and verbal communications skills needed to be spokespeople for various organizations, have skills for coordinating special events and fundraising campaigns, who have knowledge of how to run political campaigns, and basic social media management skills, excel as public relations executives within and outside Nigeria. The field of public relations is rapidly evolving.

Advertising is another very popular discipline which most people want to venture into. A degree in this field is a ticket to lucrative, creative career path in Nigeria and other parts of the world. While you don’t necessarily need a degree to get into this field, a successful career in advertising usually begins with a comprehensive undergraduate education. This is a broad field, comprised of creative and business professionals who share one main goal: to motivate customers to buy products or services. The primary focus of this course is to equip candidates with requisite skills with which they can successfully motivate customers to buy products or services. The programme explores methods for learning what customers want and how to develop advertising campaigns that reach and persuade those populations. .  Click here to read more about Advertising and Public Relations degree programmes.

 

READ ALSO: 20 Disturbing Questions About Mass Comm Degree Now Phased Out in Nigeria

READ ALSO: 10 Simple Steps for Unbundling Your Mass Communication Department in Nigeria

 

Department of Broadcasting

This is the number four on the list of most popular new degree programmes you will find in most departments about to begin the unbundling process. You can hardly find any new communication faculty or school that is not having broadcasting as one of the new programmes to be offered in the new communication faculty. Even schools that want to commence with just three departments are including broadcasting in the list of priority departments to be floated. Of course, the reason is obvious. Every department of mass communication in Nigeria has a number of staff members that specialize in broadcasting. It is a popular area of specialty among Mass Communication lecturers in Nigeria. It is also very popular, lucrative and among the most sought-after in the communication industry. This department is also likely to get NUC accreditation easily because most universities already had radio and television studios before the unbundling process was announced by the NUC.

The main focus of this course is to engage students in different activities and to hone their skills in radio and television broadcasting. This includes depth knowledge of broadcast journalism and new media interplay in the broadcast world. Click here to read more about Broadcasting Degree Programme.

 

READ ALSO: TOP 20 MOST EXPENSIVE MASS COMMUNICATION SCHOOLS IN NIGERIA

 

Development Communication Department

Development Communication Degree programme is tied at number five with Film and Media Studies Degree Programme. The two programmes are among the least popular for now across the Universities about to commence the unbundling process. Development Communication is an interesting degree programme so it is being considered by a number of Universities to be among the first set of new programmes to be floated among the seven. It is also likely to get easily accredited as a department by the NUC. You don’t require the kind of resources expected in most other departments to run this programme. NUC accreditation will take relatively less stress when compared to Cinematography/Film & Media Studies department. So you might find this department coming up before Film and Media Studies department in most schools.

Development Communication Studies is one of the ‘hot’ programmes that will replace mass communication degree in Nigeria. This is definitely a hotcake. The reason is that private and public organizations and governments have since realized the increasing demand for the public to be included in development decisions. Even the corporate private sector in Nigeria and other parts of the world is aware that doing business in any society entails communicating its investment in development. This requires highly skilled development communicator who would employ participatory communication techniques, critical thinking and ability to evaluate outcomes within a structural framework to ensure achievement of development goals in a favourable environment. Click here to read more about Development Communication Degree Programme.

 

Film & Multimedia Studies

Film & Multimedia Studies is a highly technical but very exciting programme which is very popular in higher institutions across the world. It is tied at number five with Development Communication degree programme on the list of most popular new programmes most departments of mass communication are beginning with as they unbundle into seven new programmes. Even where you have lecturers in a department of mass communication that specialize in Film/Cinematography, the department might not have the resources to commence the new Communication Faculty with more than four departments; except they have to merge this programme with broadcasting to have Broadcasting & Film Department. This way you find Film & Multimedia degree programme appearing in the first set of programmes to be floated by new communication faculties across the country. Otherwise you find this department waiting on the reserve list for commencement on a later date. Where a University can begin unbundling with five departments you find Film & Multimedia studies making the list as a separate department. For now, very few Universities are beginning the new Communication faculty with Cinematography/Film Studies degree programme. But trust me; this is one of the most exciting of the seven new programmes that will attract heavy traffic from candidates from across Nigeria and beyond. Any University that begins with this programme will be happy it did.

If you’re interested in enrolling in this programme you will be prepared with requisite skills to work in the film and media industries after graduation. Those who acquire this degree could have thriving careers as directors, screenwriters, producers, editors, actors, cinematographers, financial and marketing executives, film scholars and curators, entertainment lawyers, agents, digital technicians, and web designers. If you wish to pursue a career in filmmaking, film and media then this is the most relevant programme for you. Click here to read more about Film & Multimedia Development Degree Programme.

 

Information & Media Studies Department

Strangely, this is the least popular on the list of degrees/departments about to commence in Universities across Nigeria. This is strange because it is a very interesting degree programme and among the most dynamic in modern society. But it seems there are very few lecturers with competence in this area and most mass communication departments are interested in commencing with the most popular and most sought-after among the seven new programmes, especially where existing lecturers in the department have capacity and competence.

Information and Media Studies programme recognizes the importance of connecting media theory learned in the classroom to real-world experiences. Most universities already offering this course have it as Information Science and Media Studies degree programme. It is a programme designed to provide a synergy between the study of information as a science and mediated communication as a practice. The programme draws on advances in information technology and its applications in mass media and media studies. Click here to read more about Information & Media Studies Degree Programme.

 

About Chinenye Nwabueze

Nwabueze is a writer with passion for cutting-edge news

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