Undergraduate Degree

Journalism

Program:
Journalism
Plan Code:
JOURNA_BA1
Program Level:
Undergraduate
Award Type:
Bachelor of Arts
College:
College of Communication Arts and Sciences
Department:
Journalism


Excerpt from the official Academic Programs Catalog:

Listed below are the approved requirements for the program from the official Academic Programs Catalog.
Students must consult their advisors to learn which specific requirements apply to their degree programs.


College of Communication Arts and Sciences

School of Journalism

Undergraduate Programs
Journalism

Journalism is a profession and set of skills for gathering, investigating, producing, and disseminating news. Thus, journalism is an essential feature of democratic societies – providing truthful information that aids individual and collective decision-making. Whether focusing on political, sports, business, environmental, science, or international topics, the journalism major provides students with the professional preparation to serve society’s needs. Graduates are prepared to work in a range of traditional and innovative journalism-related occupations and platforms.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism

  1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism.
    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Journalism major is met by completing Journalism 300. That course is referenced in item 3. a. below.
  2. The requirements of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
a. All of the following core courses (19 to 24 credits):
JRN 108 The World of Media 3
JRN 200 Writing and Reporting News 3
JRN 203 Visual Storytelling 3
JRN 300 Multimedia Writing and Reporting (W) 3
JRN 325 Journalism History 3
JRN 430 News Media Law and Ethics 3
JRN 493 Journalism Professional Field Experience 1 to 6
Students must achieve a minimum grade of 2.0 or higher in Journalism 200 and 300 in all credits attempted.
b. One of the following courses (3 credits):
CAS 110 Creative Thinking 3
CAS 111 Design and Layout 3
CAS 112 Story, Sound and Motion 3
CAS 114 Creativity and Innovative Entrepreneurship 3
CAS 116 Media Sketching and Graphics 3
c. Complete a concentration or minor (12 to 15 credits). 
Students may choose from the following concentrations (12 credits). Students may select special topics to fulfill concentration requirements with advisor approval.
Broadcast Journalism
All of the following courses:
JRN 206 Video Storytelling with Phones 3
JRN 306 Broadcast News I: Intro to Reporting 3
JRN 403 Broadcast News II: Intermediate Reporting 3
One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
JRN 303 On-Air Announcing, Interviewing and Hosting 3
JRN 406A Broadcast News III: Advanced Reporting 4
JRN 406B Broadcast News Producing 4
Environment, Science and Health Reporting
Both of the following courses:
JRN 372 Environment, Science and Health Journalism Special Topics 3
JRN 472 Environmental, Science and Health Reporting 3
Complete 6 credits from the following:
JRN 372 Environment, Science and Health Journalism Special Topics 3
JRN 472 Environmental, Science and Health Reporting 3
JRN 485 Environmental Communication Education Abroad 3
JRN 488 Visual Storytelling in Kenya  4
A 300-level or above environment-relevant non-Journalism course with advisor approval.
Students who reenroll in JRN 372 or 472 must select a different topic than previously taken.
Information Graphics
All of the following courses:
JRN 338 Information Graphics 3
JRN 345 Images and Messages 3
JRN 438 Advanced Information Graphics 3
Complete 3 credits from the following:
JRN 336 Designing for Media 3
JRN 487 Creative Journey Education Abroad 6
JRN 488 Visual Storytelling in Kenya 4
International Reporting
All of the following courses:
JRN 265 International Journalism and Media 3
JRN 365 International News and Government Dynamics 3
JRN 465 International Reporting 3
Complete 3 credits from the following:
JRN 365 International News and Government Dynamics 3
JRN 483 Photo Communication in Europe 6
JRN 484 Sports Journalism Education Abroad 6
JRN 485 Environmental Communication Education Abroad 6
JRN 486 British and Irish Mass Media Education Abroad 6
JRN 487 Creative Journey Education Abroad 6
JRN 488 Visual Storytelling in Kenya 4
Students who reenroll in JRN 365 must select a different topic than previously taken.
Media Design
All of the following courses:
JRN 336 Designing for Media 3
JRN 345 Images and Messages 3
JRN 436 Design for Web and Mobile Devices 3
Complete 3 credits from the following:
JRN 338 Information Graphics 3
JRN 487 Creative Journey Education Abroad 6
JRN 488 Visual Storytelling in Kenya 4
Media Relations
All of the following courses:
JRN 206 Video Storytelling with Phones 3
JRN 310 Photojournalism 3
JRN 336 Designing for Media 3
JRN 402 Public Relations Topics in Journalism 1
Complete at least 2 credits from the following:
ADV 402 Public Relations Topics in Advertising 1
COM 402 Public Relations Topics in Communication 1
JRN 345 Images and Messages 3
JRN 402 Public Relations Topics in Journalism 1
JRN 488 Visual Storytelling in Kenya 4
Students who reenroll in ADV 402, COM 402, or JRN 402 must select a different topic than previously taken. ADV 402 and COM 402 are only open to students that have been accepted to the Minor in Public Relations.
Photojournalism
All of the following courses:
JRN 310 Photojournalism 3
JRN 345 Images and Messages 3
JRN 410 Advanced Photojournalism: Documentary 3
Complete 3 credits from the following:
CAS 110 Creative Thinking 3
CAS 112 Story, Sound and Motion 3
JRN 483 Photo Communication in Europe 3
JRN 488 Visual Storytelling in Kenya 4
Sports Journalism
All of the following courses:
JRN 218 Sports in Contemporary Media 3
JRN 317 Sports Journalism 3
JRN 416 Sports Multimedia Content Management 3
JRN 418 Advanced Sports Reporting 3
Writing, Reporting and Editing
All of the following courses:
JRN 305 Editing for Print and Digital 3
JRN 407 Advanced Reporting 3
JRN 432 Magazine, Feature and Freelance Writing 3
One of the following courses:
JRN 420 Capital News Service 3
JRN 472 Environmental, Science and Health Reporting 3
JRN 486 British and Irish Mass Media Education Abroad 6
Students may choose from the following minors (15 credits):  
Animation and Comics Storytelling in Media, Broadcast Journalism, Documentary Production, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Media Photography, Public Relations, or Sports Journalism.  Students should consult the Academic Programs catalog statement in the department that administers the minor to learn the requirements.
d. The following courses from an approved list in the School of Journalism, in departments outside the College of Communication Arts and Sciences:
(1) Literature: One course (3 credits)
(2) Civics: One of the following courses (3 credits)
PLS 100 Introduction to American Politics 3
PLS 302 Urban Politics 3
PLS 304 Minority Politics 3
PLS 313 American Public Policy       3
PLS 320 Judicial Politics                   3
PLS 324 Congress                            3
PLS 325 The Presidency                   3
PLS 334 Campaigns and Elections   3
e. Journalism majors must complete a minimum of 60credits in courses outside of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.

Other Programs

Environmental Studies and Agriscience - Communication concentration:  see the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources section of this catalog for courses in Journalism appropriate to this major.

Engineering Arts:  see the College of Engineering section of this catalog for courses appropriate to this major.

Suggestions for Program Success

Students should pursue the University’s Integrative Studies requirements during their first and second years. Students should complete Journalism 108 in the first year and Journalism 200, 203 and 300 before the end of the sophomore year.
 
Journalism majors are also required to complete an internship for credit, under JRN 493. Internships are an important part of bridging classroom work to the world of work. Our most successful graduates complete multiple internships before graduating.

In order to ensure enrollment in required courses, majors should plan their sophomore, junior and senior year programs with the advice and assistance of academic advisors and faculty.

Today’s journalists should have a broad education in the liberal arts, social sciences, and physical and natural sciences.  Many courses in literature, history, economics and foreign languages are open to freshmen and sophomores.