Fresno State’s Mass Communication and Journalism Department has changed its name to “Media, Communications and Journalism” upon approval of the university’s Academic Senate.

What was the motivation for changing the “M” in MCJ?

Betsy Hays, professor at the college of arts and humanities at Fresno State, said the name change occured “to better describe who we are and what we do.”

She added, “The phrase “Mass Communication” is outdated and means little to both the industries we serve and the students we teach. Our new name encompasses all that we do more accurately and more clearly, while still holding firm to our journalism legacy ”” and our beautiful branded “MCJ” acronym.”

The process of changing the name has been in the works for years.

“We’ve had discussions about changing the name for years, and as work on the curriculum overhaul ramped up during the last academic year, the faculty decided that it was time to move forward,” said Hays.

She mentioned that although the name change will not specifically be creating new classes, the MCJ department is experiencing an “overhaul that will potentially include some new courses. A timeline has not been determined for approval or implementation.”

Students will now see “Media, Communications and Journalism” on their degrees. However, Hays encourages students graduating in December to check with Admission and Records in the Joyal Administration Building about whether or not their degrees will have the new title.