Scripps College of Communication  
360 Schoonover Center
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.4890
Fax: 740.593.4889
https://www.ohio.edu/scripps-college/mcclure

Julio Arauz, Director
Charles Linscott, Associate Undergraduate Director

Overview

Founded in the fall of 1980 as the Center for Communication Management, this school was the first in Ohio, and only the second in the United States, to offer a degree in Information and Telecommunication Systems at the baccalaureate level.

At their June 21, 2019 meeting the Ohio University Board of Trustees approved the creation of the J. Warren McClure School of Emerging Communication Technologies by combining the J. Warren McClure School of Information Telecommunication Systems and the Game Research and Immersive Design (GRID) Lab.

The McClure School continues to offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in information and telecommunication systems, preparing students for careers in this fast-growing industry. Jobs in the information and telecommunication systems field are projected to continue growing. If you want a career working with technology, in a business setting, this is the place for you.

The McClure School also offers an undergraduate degree in Virtual Reality and Game Development. This degree provides students with opportunities to acquire skills in designing, building and deploying immersive experiences using technologies such as VR/AR, gaming or spatial audio along with storytelling skills. Additionally, the school offers the ECT track which provides students with skills in both information and telecommunication systems and Virtual Reality and Game Development.

The GRID Lab was established in 2005 as a special initiative of the college. The lab conducts research and produces content largely centering on augmented, virtual and mixed reality.

The McClure School in collaboration with the College of Business also offers two undergraduate certificates in esports and cybersecurity management.

Purposes and Objectives

The school offers two undergraduate degrees:

The Bachelor of Science degree in Information and Telecommunication Systems is one of only a few academic programs in the nation and the only one in Ohio that concentrates on producing business savvy, technologically knowledgeable telecom professionals.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Virtual Reality and Game Development offers students the skills to design, build and deploy immersive experiences using emerging technologies such as VR/AR and gaming.

Current information on the degrees, minors, and certificates can be found at the school web site https://www.ohio.edu/scripps-college/mcclure.

Transfer Policy

Current Ohio University Students

Current Ohio University students who wish to transfer into this school must have an accumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for all collegiate work attempted at Ohio University. Should space become a problem, other transfer procedures might be adopted.

Students are required to meet with the School’s director or associate director before applying for transfer. In order to apply for transfer, students must complete a Transfer Information Sheet (available in the School’s office) and supply their latest DARS report. Students may apply for transfer at any time.

Transfer Students From Other Universities

Transfer students from other universities who are admitted to Ohio University may elect ITS as their major as part of the University’s admission process. They must, however, have an accumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for their prior collegiate work. In this case, there is no need to meet with the director or fill out the Transfer Information Sheet prior to transfer into the school.

Internships and Practica

Hands-on experience is an important part of your course of study, and you are strongly encouraged to fulfill this component of your studies through an internship or practicum.

The School has a strong internship program, with many sponsoring organizations. Internships are usually 10-12 weeks long and take place off campus, during the summer; although other arrangements are possible. You are treated as a staff member and are paid for your efforts. Internships are awarded on a competitive basis and are subject to availability. Permission is required, but is granted to students who have completed about 50 semester hours, including some 3000-level courses, and have one semester remaining on campus after the internship has been completed. Individual internship sponsors establish GPA requirements. You may earn up to 12 hours of course credit for completion of all internship requirements. Apply to the internship coordinator for consideration.

The School also provides practicum experience. You may choose to complete a practicum project under the supervision of a school faculty member. Practica are conducted on campus, either within the School or for other units, and may be paid or unpaid. You must enroll in the University for academic credit during the semester in which the practicum is conducted. Practica are arranged with individual faculty members or the internship coordinator.

Programs

Bachelor of Science in Communication

Information and Telecommunication Systems Major (B.S.C.)  

Virtual Reality and Game Development Major (B.S.C.)  

Other Programs 

Information & Telecommunication Systems, ECT (VR/AR) Track (B.S.C.)  

Business Cybersecurity Management Certificate  

Esports Certificate  

Information and Telecommunication Systems Minor