Sports Broadcasting

The mission of the Sports Broadcasting program of study is to prepare students for a career in the sports broadcast industry, either as sports journalists or as sports media production professionals.

Grounded in a broad liberal arts education, the Sports Broadcasting program challenges students to approach the sports broadcast industry critically within the framework of a Christian worldview. In addition to the general education requirements of the university, the program of study addresses topics such as sports media and society, historical development of the sports media industry, and ethical issues within the sports media industry.

The major also includes extensive coursework in cross-platform media production techniques, covering such areas as writing and reporting for sports, video and audio production techniques, and on-air announcing and play-by-play. Students will learn how to successfully function in multiple roles within the industry.

Review of Satisfactory Progress

All students pursuing a bachelor of arts in Sports Broadcasting will have their progress in all work within the program of study reviewed at the end of the second semester of their sophomore and senior years. This review will include both in-class scholarship and performance on productions. Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all courses in their major in order to continue in good standing with the program. Admission to upper-level study is determined on the basis of the student’s cumulative GPA in Sports Broadcasting courses completed by the end of the fourth semester, the recommendation of the student’s advisor, and the satisfactory completion of an interview with the program faculty. The faculty reserves the right to dismiss any student from the major if he or she fails to meet program standards. An executive committee of the School of Communication and Media will automatically review a decision to dismiss a student from a major, and a student may make an appeal to the Dean. Sports Broadcasting faculty will make every attempt to counsel a student into a more suitable major in the event he or she is unable to meet the standards of the program.

Residency Requirement

Students changing majors or those transferring into Palm Beach Atlantic University should be advised that the sequence of courses for the Sports Broadcasting major presupposes a fall semester entry of the freshman year. Successful completion of the program requires a minimum of six semesters to complete. Students admitted to the Sports Broadcasting major after the start of the first semester of their sophomore year may encounter difficulties with the sequencing of courses in the major. The B.A. in Sports Broadcasting is a rigorous program of study designed to progress students to a high level of professional competency. Students must matriculate through the program of study in a specific order to master increasing technical complexity and sophistication of professional skills. Faculty will not waive prerequisites or course sequencing to accommodate students admitted to the program after the first semester of their sophomore year. All majors must complete the final five semesters in full-time residence at PBA, including their senior year. Students may not use transient study to fulfill course requirements within the Sports Broadcasting major.