2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog


Journalism, BA

The BA with a major in journalism requires 120 hours with 33 hours of journalism, including JOUR 10113, JOUR 10203, JOUR 10303, JOUR 20003, JOUR 30204, JOUR 40523 and JOUR 40983. Students must take at least one class from the following: JOUR 40203, JOUR 40453, JOUR 40463, JOUR 40643, or JOUR 40820, meaning all journalism majors must have a minimum of one upper-level reporting course. Also, students must take at least one class from the following: JOUR 30853, JOUR 40443, JOUR 40553, JOUR 40563, JOUR 40573, JOUR 40613, JOUR 40813, JOUR 40993, JOUR 50143, JOUR 50183, JOUR 50193 or JOUR 50523, meaning all journalism majors must have a minimum of one seminar course. Five hours of journalism electives complete the degree requirements. By combining electives and required courses, a student may earn a certificate that accompanies the BA degree and demonstrate advanced proficiency in a specific area of news media.

The BA degree in journalism requires proven competency at the fourth semester of college-level foreign language (the equivalent of 12 hours, which can be accomplished either through taking courses or testing out through examinations as required by the foreign language programs on campus). This requirement is consistent with international opportunities in emerging media.

A minor is required. Additionally, students may pursue a specialty by fulfilling requirements for a certificate in broadcast journalism.

Students must declare their intent to earn a broadcast journalism certificate in the semester in which they intend to graduate and prior to the beginning of academic advising in that semester. Declaration is made in writing to the chair or the chair's designee.

Certificate requirements

Broadcast certificate - Choose 6 credit hours, or two courses from this list:

JOUR 30303, JOUR 40203, JOUR 40553

Requirements

Required Courses for All Journalism Majors

JOUR 10113Media Writing and Editing

3

JOUR 10203Introduction to Journalism

3

JOUR 10303Introduction to Visual Journalism

3

JOUR 20003Diversity and the Media

3

JOUR 30204Reporting

4

JOUR 40523Law and Ethics of Mass Communication

3

JOUR 40983Multi-Platform Capstone

3

JOUR 10113, JOUR 10203, JOUR 10303, JOUR 20003 must be passed with a "C" or better before enrolling in Reporting, a required course. See prerequisites for other required 30000- and 40000- level courses.

In addition, all journalism majors must complete at least one of the following upper-level reporting classes:

JOUR 40203Advanced News Production

3

JOUR 40453Business Journalism

3

JOUR 40463Public Affairs Reporting

3

JOUR 40643Long-Form Journalism

3

JOUR 40820Washington Internship

1-6

All journalism majors must complete at least one of the following seminar classes

JOUR 30853Historical Development of Mass Media

3

JOUR 40443Issues in Coverage of Business and the Economy

3

JOUR 40493Opinion and Commentary

3

JOUR 40553Issues in News

3

JOUR 40563Media Management

3

JOUR 40573Contemporary Issues in Sports Journalism

3

JOUR 40613Media Ethics

3

JOUR 40813Media in Washington

3

JOUR 40993Mass Media and Society

3

Other journalism courses required for certificates:

Broadcast journalism

JOUR 30303News Production

3

JOUR 40203Advanced News Production

3

JOUR 40553Issues in News

3

Choose 6 credit hours, or two courses from this list.