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College of Creative Arts and Media: Reed School of Media and Communications

Sports and Adventure Media, BSJ

Are you a natural storyteller with a passion for the outdoors? Are you ready to immerse yourself in high-tech media to bring the big game to life?

Sports and adventure media professionals are in the moment — on the sidelines capturing game-day video or traveling across state lines for a travel blog — and they put the audience right there with them.

They use the latest technologies to produce stories for web and social media or make advertising pitches to worldwide brands. They are camera operators who coordinate promotions or make edits from the production room. And they experience rock climbing, mountain biking and rafting GoPro-style.

As a Sports and Adventure Media major, you’ll develop skills in storytelling, audience engagement, media ethics, audio/video production, writing and marketing, preparing you to enter an ever-changing digital media landscape and stand out as a leader in the field.

Your Degree Plan The WVU Difference Learn by Doing Careers and Outcomes Places and Spaces Admission Requirements Tuition and Aid Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Sports and adventure fans want information fast and on-the-go, and employers are looking for professional communicators with specialized skills to handle the demand.

As a Sports and Adventure Media student, you will gain real-world, tangible experience through skills-based courses and access to modern facilities, the latest digital technology and opportunities in audio and video production.

To graduate, all College of Media majors must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours. Sports and Adventure Media students complete:

  • A media-focused first year seminar course
  • General Education Foundations (GEF) courses like English, math and science
  • Additional courses outside of the major including statistics, economics and sociology
  • Core media courses including writing and ethics
  • Required courses in Sports and Adventure Media
  • Sports and Adventure Media electives of your choosing
  • Elective courses of your choosing outside of the major

Tailor this major to your interests by taking one of these courses as you pursue your degree:

  • MDIA 325:
    Podcast Reporting and Production

    Podcasting is a growing aspect of the media industry. In this course, students will learn how to report and produce a professional-level podcast through a class podcast series as well as through listening to and critiquing class assignments and professional podcasts.

  • MDIA 361:
    Media Relations In Sport

    Provides an in-depth understanding of how effective public relations plays an integral role in any sports organization via a myriad of communication efforts used in the dissemination of information to the media and the public.

  • JRL 435:
    Live Sports Video Production

    Master production and coverage of live sporting events, including television terminology, camera operation, live directing, live technical directing, digital signage execution and instant replay. Get real-world practice with more than 10 of WVU’s Division I sports.

  • JRL 424:
    Adventure Travel Writing and Photography

    Learn how to engage an audience by curating content and video and producing and packaging this information in explainer and short social videos for a professional digital publication. In addition, students obtain first-hand experience producing mobile-first content.

  • JRL 448:
    Digital Publication: Social Video

    Learn how to engage an audience by curating content and video and producing and packaging this information in explainer and short social videos for a professional digital publication. In addition, students obtain first-hand experience producing mobile-first content.

  • JRL 484:
    Advanced Sports Video Production

    Go live on location at sports events, including WVU’s Division I games, and adventure events, like Bridge Day in Fayetteville, West Virginia, to create video packages for the student-run Mountaineer Playbook broadcast news program. This course focuses on in-the-field reporting, studio operations and producing.

Tailor this major to your interests by focusing your coursework in one of these areas:

  • Adventure Media

  • Sports Media

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

  • Only known undergraduate major in the country to focus on sports and adventure media.
  • Adventure WV program
  • Highly competitive D1 athletic program
  • Partnership with Big 12 Now on ESPN+ allows students to report from the sidelines and provide technical support on game day for ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, Fox FS1 and SkyCam Tech.
  • Robust student media with the award-winning Daily Athenaeum student newspaper and U92 student radio station.
  • Funding available for study abroad and major market internships.
  • On-campus facilities include the Media Innovation Center, University Forest and Zip Line Canopy Tour
  • One of only 115 journalism/communication programs accredited worldwide by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC)
  • Purpose Center - Discover your values and strengths to guide your educational path and personal journey.
Scholarships

93% of WVU freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2023-24).

Learn more

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

Big 12 Now on ESPN+
Picture yourself in front of an ESPN camera, reporting live from a Big 12 game in the WVU Coliseum or on Mountaineer Field. Students report from the sidelines and provide technical support on game day for ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, Fox FS1 and SkyCam Tech.

The Perfect Place for Adventure
West Virginia is the ideal setting for professional field experiences like whitewater rafting, rock climbing and mountain biking. Students also have the opportunity to travel to places like Arches National Park in Utah as part of the Adventure Travel Writing and Photography Course.

WVU News
Learn to write, report, shoot, direct, anchor, edit and produce a newscast, working alongside professionals in a modern, HD television studio. Covering events on campus and throughout the Morgantown community, the newscast streams on Pittsburgh's KDKA-TV website, on the HD Media website and airs statewide on West Virginia Public Broadcasting and the City of Morgantown’s Public Access Channel.

The Daily Athenaeum
Official student newspaper at WVU. The DA was founded in 1887 and draws students from all disciplines to contribute original content for publication. Today, the DA is a 24/7 digital-first media organization that includes print, online, video and podcasting.

U92
Since 1982, U92 The Moose, WWVU-FM is the source of new music and broadcaster development at West Virginia University. U92 plays a daily mix of fresh alternative music, along with news, sports, and specialty and curated genre shows.

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Sports and Adventure Media students intern with companies like AT&T SportsNet, ESPN and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Media Programming Directors

Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $83,480

Possible job titles include: News Director, Program Director (PD), Program Manager, Programming Director.

Explore Career

Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys

Speak or read from scripted materials, such as news reports or commercial messages, on radio, television, or other communications media. May play and queue music, announce artist or title of performance, identify station, or interview guests.

Median Salary: $45,680

Possible job titles include: Anchor, Announcer, News Anchor, Television News Anchor (TV News Anchor).

Explore Career

News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists

Narrate or write news stories, reviews, or commentary for print, broadcast, or other communications media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, or television. May collect and analyze information through interview, investigation, or observation.

Median Salary: $60,280

Possible job titles include: Anchor, News Anchor, News Reporter, Reporter.

Explore Career

Public Relations Specialists

Promote or create an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media. May specialize in using social media.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $69,780

Possible job titles include: Communications Specialist, Public Affairs Specialist, Public Information Officer, Public Relations Specialist (PR Specialist).

Explore Career

Editors

Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.

Median Salary: $75,260

Possible job titles include: Editor, News Editor, Newspaper Copy Editor, Sports Editor.

Explore Career

Broadcast Technicians

Set up, operate, and maintain the electronic equipment used to acquire, edit, and transmit audio and video for radio or television programs. Control and adjust incoming and outgoing broadcast signals to regulate sound volume, signal strength, and signal clarity. Operate satellite, microwave, or other transmitter equipment to broadcast radio or television programs.

Median Salary: $53,920

Possible job titles include: Board Operator, Broadcast Engineer, Broadcast Technician, Control Operator.

Explore Career

Photographers

Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists.

Median Salary: $42,520

Possible job titles include: Commercial Photographer, Photographer, Photojournalist, Portrait Photographer.

Explore Career

Film and Video Editors

Edit moving images on film, video, or other media. May work with a producer or director to organize images for final production. May edit or synchronize soundtracks with images.

Median Salary: $70,980

Possible job titles include: Editor, Film Editor, News Editor, Video Editor.

Explore Career

Career Options

Sports and Adventure Media students get experience covering Big 12 sporting events and adventure experiences for live production while in school so they’re ready to pursue careers as:

  • Sports writers
  • Announcers
  • Video producers
  • Digital media editors
  • Social media specialists
  • Promotions coordinators
  • Multimedia specialists

Places and Spaces

Learn about all of the places and spaces you'll learn in.

Featurette - Media Innovation Center - 37654 S MSS 0008 XX

Media Innovation Center

The Media Innovation Center is an open-door, cross-discipline media space that provides the latest digital and interactive tools to develop original, story-based, digital media experiences. Our co-innovation philosophy and embrace of innovation for social change leads our belief that every community should have the access, tools and skills to shape its own story, identity and future.

Explore the Media Innovation Center
Facilities Thumbnail - Zip line canopy tour

Zip Line Canopy Tour

WVU has the only University-owned and operated zip line. The zip line canopy tour consists of:

  • 4 zip lines
  • 7 tree-based platforms
  • Aerial bridge
  • Aerial ladder
  • 45-foot exit rappel
Explore the Zip Line Canopy Tour
  • Virtual Tour
    It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.
  • Student Life
    You will have it all here — epic traditions, quality academics and a supportive community that feels like home.
  • Visit
    Experience WVU in person and start imagining life as a Mountaineer!

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to WVU's Sports and Adventure Media major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Tuition and Aid

How much does Sports and Adventure Media at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

View Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Find Scholarships

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

Visit the Net Price Calculator

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Sports and Adventure Media major is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Ohio Tuition Reciprocity

As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to Sports and Adventure Media can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.

Learn More

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Ready to take the next step?

Learn how to join the WVU family.

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