Media Analytics
The First Major of its Kind – Anywhere
Have you ever wondered why your favorite Netflix show was canceled? Or how that fashion influencer from your hometown got a six-figure brand deal?
The answer is data. These days, the answer is almost always data.
Elon’s Media Analytics major takes you behind the curtain, teaching you how data drives decisions across the media landscape and equipping you with the skills needed to become a successful data-driven decision-maker. Whether it’s choosing what film to produce, which influencer to hire, or what website to advertise on, you’ll learn how to ask the right questions, gather and analyze data, and transform findings into recommendations that drive results (or, sadly, cancellations).
Graduates are industry-ready, equipped with both analytical expertise and strong communication skills. Career opportunities span the globe from major digital media companies to multimedia news organizations to local brands, agencies, and nonprofits. Our graduates have gone on to work at companies such as Google, Disney, Fox, Bloomberg, the NBA and The Wall Street Journal.
Media Analytics roles
- Consumer insights analyst
- Digital content strategist
- Director of audience development
- Media analyst
- Social media marketing manager
Why should I study media analytics?
This one’s easy: it’ll help you get a job. 96% of our graduates are either employed or in grad school nine months after graduation. Want proof? Go ahead and type “data” or “analytics” into the available jobs at any social media company. See? There’s a market for this skillset.
A media analytics degree also equips students to, as Google likes to say, “thrive in ambiguity.” The degree offers the versatility needed to work in any segment of the media industry — from streaming to advertising to design — and provides students with the confidence needed to stand out in a competitive job market.
What’s the media analytics curriculum like?
It’s a process. Literally.
Each media analytics course is connected to a larger six-step data analytics process. First, majors will learn how to ASK the right questions. Then, they’ll be equipped with the tools and skills necessary to PREPARE, PROCESS and ANALYZE data. Next, they’ll learn how to SHARE insights with appropriate audiences through written communication, presentations and visualizations. Finally, students will learn how to ACT on their analyses in order to drive results.
Do I have to be good at math?
The easy answer is no, you don’t have to be good at math. While our curriculum includes statistics fundamentals and lots of numbers, many of the tools we use actually do the math for you.
That being said, if you are bad at math, now’s the time to sharpen those skills. Because even the most prolific content creators, advertisers, and designers need to prove their worth in a media landscape that is constantly changing. And the best way to do so is with data.
As a media analytics major, can I double major?
Absolutely. In fact, we recommend it. With a shared core curriculum, the media analytics major pairs well with all the majors in the School of Communications. Have a passion of journalism? Great! Use media analytics to ensure your reporting reaches the right audience. Want to become a Hollywood filmmaker? Sweet! Pitch your ideas to Netflix and HBO with an analysis of box office trends and streaming viewership numbers. Interested in working for a professional sports team? Cool! Help them sell tickets through a more targeted social media strategy.
The Curriculum
A Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Media Analytics requires 52 credit hours in Communications, plus the 2-hour IDS 1150 Public Speaking course. Students must complete a minimum of 72 credit hours outside of Communications, including an academic minor or double major or a semester abroad in an Elon-approved program.
Media Analytics Requirements & Courses
Media Analytics News
Want to tour the School of Communications?
We offer 11:30 a.m. weekday tours by appointment to prospective students who want to see our facilities and student media operations. Please fill out this form to schedule your tour.