Communication, Journalism & Media Studies

Madrid, Spain
Communication, Journalism & Media Studies

About the Program

Home to Spain’s major newspapers such as El Mundo and El País, as well as Spain’s international news agency, EFE and the Spanish media conglomerate PRISA, Madrid serves as a hub to explore the transformation that modern media has made in this era of 24-hour news and communications. In this program, you’ll study these topics alongside Spanish and international students at the Getafe Campus of the Universidad de Carlos III de Madrid.

Requirements

Overview

Location:

Madrid

Dates:

1/16/25 - 6/4/25

Price:

$20,495

Credits:

12 - 15

Deadlines

Apply By:

Closed

Withdraw By:

11/1/24

Requirements

Complete Application
Program Participation Agreement
$95 Online Application Fee
Transcript - Unofficial

Eligibility

Education
Completed:

1 Year of College

Foreign Language Proficiency:

All Levels

Minimum
GPA:

2.5

Get a Flight Credit worth up to $1,000 when you apply with code* by January 1, 2025

Where You'll Study

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

Since its founding in 1989, the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) has grown into one of the leading higher education institutions in Spain.  The public university offers a range of cours...

Student Offices
Student Offices
Clubs & Organizations
Clubs & Organizations
Student Government
Student Government
Student Lounge
Student Lounge
12-15

Credits

Program Structure & Courses

You will enroll in 4-5 courses at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M).  All courses are taught by Spanish faculty, but classes are taught in English. The Spanish culture courses are taught only to international students while all other university courses include both international and Spanish students. If you are at a High Intermediate level of Spanish or above you have the option to take courses in Spanish. Please contact a CEA CAPA Student Advisor for more information.

All courses meet for 42 contact hours/3 US semester credits*.  Students may earn up to 12-15 credits (up to 210 contact hours).  Courses may meet in the morning or afternoon, Monday-Friday.  Active learning components required by your courses may be scheduled for Fridays.

*UC3M awards credits based on the ECTS system and the majority of UC3M courses are awarded 6 ECTS credits. CEA CAPA recommends 3 U.S. semester credit hours for each 6 ECTS course. These credit hour recommendations are based on the following conversion: 2 ECTS credits equals 1 U.S. semester credit.  Some UC3M courses may award 3 ECTS credits (1.5 US semester credits recommended).  ECTS credits for each course are reflected on the course syllabus. Students are required to enroll in a minimum of 24 ECTS credits (12 US semester credits) to comply with the program requirements. Please check with your home institution advisor regarding course transferability and credit hour conversion.

Prior to departure, you will select your preferred courses. You will be enrolled into courses based on their availability. It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.

Students receive a transcript from Universidad de Carlos III de Madrid upon completion of their program.

All Levels Course Structure

Courses

The host institution has offered the following courses in the past. Please note that course listings will not be finalized until the start of the term.

*Courses with an asterisk indicate that the course has been associated with multiple subject areas.
Please click on the course title to view additional subject areas and detailed course information.

Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Accounting Introduction 100 En 42 3
Financial Accounting II * 200 En 42 3
Fixed Income and Derivatives * 200 En 42 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Advertising and Communication * 100 En 42 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Spanish Art Masters in Madrid Museums * 200 En 42 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Communication and Participation of Civil Society in the Internet 100 En 42 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Communication Theory 200 En 42 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Documentary and Report 300 En 42 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Asset Valuation * 300, 400 En 42 3
Computer Applications in Finance 400 En 42 3
Corporate Financial Strategy 300 En 42 3
Country Report and Risk Assessment 400 En 42 3
Digital Finances 300, 400 En 42 3
Financial Management * 200, 300 En 42 3
Financial Risk Management 300 En 42 3
Financial Statement Analysis 300, 400 En 42 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Globalization and Society 100 En 42 3
Political and Social History * 200 En 42 3
World Politics 100 En 42 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
History of the World Economy * 100 En 42 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Borders and Population Movements 300, 400 En 42 3
Conflict and Violence 300 En 42 3
International Security Policy 300, 400 En 42 3
Security, Peace and Conflicts Resolution * 200 En 42 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Commercial Law 200 En 42 3
Labour Law and Social Security 300, 400 En 42 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Introduction to Business Management 200, 300, 400 En 42 3
Management Control 300 En 42 3
Marketing Management * 300 En 42 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Innovation Management 200 En 42 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Financial and Service Marketing * 300, 400 En 42 3
Marketing Communications and Social Media 300, 400 En 42 3
Markets Research 300, 400 En 42 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Numerical Methods for Economy and Finance 400 En 42 3
Statistics Applied to Journalism * 100 En 42 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Feminism 300 En 42 3
Philosophy in History and Culture 100 En 42 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Media Psychology * 100 En 42 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Supply Chain Management * 300, 400 En 42 3

Interested in taking your career to the next level?

Where You'll Stay

*Housing options may change and will be confirmed on the housing application form prior to the start of the term. Below are the housing options that have been offered in the past.

Excursions

Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.

What's Included in your Program

From housing to excursions, our programs include a variety of inclusions to enhance your study abroad experience! Here are examples that may be available in Madrid. Inclusions vary by program – please contact our Enrollment and Advising team to find out what options are available for you.

  • Personalized Pre-Departure Advising
  • Visa & Immigration Advising
  • Financial Advising
  • Tuition and Registration
  • Airport Pick-up
  • Onsite Orientation
  • City Tour
  • Onsite Staff Support
  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance
  • Travel Medical Insurance
  • International Emergency Service Support
  • Welcome & Farewell Events
  • Centrally Located Housing
  • Wellness Activities
  • Cultural Engagement
  • Language Exchanges
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Excursions
  • Student Clubs & Organizations
  • Host Institution Services & Amenities
  • Career & Re-entry Workshop
  • Official Transcript(s)

Sample Calendar

Below is a tentative itinerary for your program. Please note, dates and events below may change without prior notification. Contact CEA CAPA before purchasing airline tickets.

You will receive a finalized itinerary once you arrive onsite.

Note: Additional cultural activities/excursions or required course-related activities may be incorporated into your final itinerary. You are advised not to make personal travel arrangements until you have the final dates.

Date Description
January 16
Arrival/Program Begins

Official Program Start Date. Students must arrive at the Adolfo Suárez Madrid Barajas Airport on this date in order to be eligible for airport pickup. Students will then be transferred to their housing.

January 17 - 23
Orientation

Mandatory CEA CAPA Orientation will be held.

January 27
Classes Begin

Classes begin at Carlos III University (UC3M) on this day.

May 13
Classes End

This is the last day of classes at UC3M.

May 15 - June 03
Final Exams

Final exams will be held at UC3M.

June 04
Program Ends/Move-Out

Official Program End Date. Students must move out of housing no later than this day.

Sample Budget

This budget contains costs that you can take to your financial aid office. Please note that amounts may fluctuate; we've included a range of costs.

Federal law allows the use of financial aid to cover "reasonable" costs of study abroad including round-trip transportation, tuition and fees for the program, living costs, passport and visa fees, health insurance, and more.

Please note that all costs and charges listed below are subject to change without notice. With the exception of Program Price, all costs are estimates and may vary.

Description Low-Cost High-Cost
Program Fee
Tuition and fees, registration, orientation, airport pickup, welcome and farewell receptions, housing, official transcript, cultural excursions/activities, student support services, CEA On-site Staff and administrative costs.
$20,495
$20,495
International Airfare & Transfers
Cost varies depending on time of purchase, point of origin and time of travel.
$700
$1,500
Immigration Requirements
Includes passport and additional requirements such as visa, entry and exit fees, French Carte de Séjour, French University Administrative Fee (if applicable), or Italian Permesso di Soggiorno.
$325
$325
Books, Materials and Supplies
Includes books, school supplies, art supplies, and course fees. Does not include fees or supplies for optional courses. This cost varies depending on the course choices of the student.
$420
$840
Meals

Includes the average expected cost for meals in housing option without a meal plan, such as daily groceries and eating out at restaurants. 
$945
$2,520
Personal Expenses
Includes telephone, laundry, local transportation, personal necessities and upfront payments for potential doctor visits. Please note, certain locations may require deposits to secure spots in CEA organized activities and excursions (deposits are returned at the end of the program if student attends activities/excursions or cancels participation before set deadlines). Some of these costs vary according to the spending habits of the student.
$1,260
$2,520
Travel Expenses
Includes additional travel outside of CEA excursions. This cost varies according to the spending habits of the student.
$1,260
$1,890
TOTAL EXPENSES $25,405 $30,090