Undergraduate Bulletin

Fall 2024

Requirements for the Major and Minor in Journalism (JRN)

Transfer students

Transfer courses will be evaluated individually for journalism equivalency by the Undergraduate Director.

Requirements for the Major

The major in journalism leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree. Students must earn a letter grade of C or higher in all required courses, including courses in the concentration, and Satisfactory or S in JRN internships, independent studies and workshops for these to count toward the major. Students may enroll in multiple internships up to 6 credits each. The total number of credits from all internships combined may not exceed 12. Variable-credit courses such as internships and independent studies must be taken for three credits or multiple courses must add up to three credits to count as a journalism elective. Otherwise, students must take another three-credit elective. Students may apply up to 6 credits from JRN internships and/or independent studies to the major and a total of 12 credits to general graduation requirements. Students who earn final grades of C- or lower twice in the same journalism course, or in three different journalism classes, will be dropped from the major. A finding of academic dishonesty in any journalism or mass communication course will result in a failing grade for that course. It can also result in dismissal from the journalism program or expulsion from the university. 

Students may select one of four pre-designed concentrations created to explore broad topics – Public Affairs/Public Policy, Diversity and American Society, Global Issues and Perspectives, and Science and The Environment. Consult the undergraduate director to discuss a multidisciplinary concentration. At least nine credits, or three classes, of the 18 credits required of all concentrations must be at the upper-division level. Check prerequisites. Many of these courses also count toward SBC requirements. For a course to count toward the concentration, it must be passed with a grade of C or higher.

All journalism students should see a departmental advisor to plan their course programs. The following courses are required of all journalism majors; an asterisk denotes an online course:

1. Required Courses (36 credits):

  • JRN 101 News Literacy
  • COM 106 Introduction to Mass Media*
  • JRN 116 Introduction to Digital Journalism
  • COM 208 History of Mass Communication*
  • JRN 216 Intermediate Digital Journalism
  • JRN 217 Journalistic Reporting and Writing ( this course can be taken before, after or in the same semester as JRN 216 )
  • JRN 301 The Business of News
  • JRN 303 Global Issues in Journalism
  • JRN 305 Mass Communication Law and Ethics*
  • POL 102 Introduction to American Government

Choose one of the following advanced skills courses, which must be completed before students can move on to JRN 490 : Senior Capstone Project, which requires U3/U4 standing:

  • JRN 311 Advanced Digital Journalism – Text
  • JRN 312 Advanced Digital Journalism – Audio
  • JRN 313 Advanced Digital Journalism – Video

After completing   JRN 311 , JRN 312 , or JRN 313 , all majors must complete the following 400-level required course:

2. Required Electives (9 credits):

Students must complete two three-credit upper-division electives. Junior or Senior standing is required. Not all electives will be offered every semester. If students opt to take a variable credit course to complete their elective requirement, a minimum of 3 credits must be selected - or multiple courses must add up to three credits. Otherwise, students must take another three-credit elective. Students should consult their major advisor before enrollment for the semester begins.

Students can choose two courses from the following electives:

3. Upper-Division Writing Requirement

Successful completion of JRN 490 , the Senior Capstone Project, will satisfy the SBC WRTD requirement as well as the Journalism major upper-division writing requirement.  

4. Concentration in Outside Area

Students must declare a second major, a minor, or multidisciplinary concentration.

Students may select one of four pre-designed concentrations created to explore broad topics – Public Affairs/Public Policy, Diversity and American Society, Global Issues and Perspectives, and Science and The Environment. Students may design an 18-credit interdisciplinary concentration in an academic subject of their choosing. Consult the undergraduate director to discuss a customized multidisciplinary concentration. At least nine credits, or three classes, of the 18 credits required of all concentrations must be at the upper-division level. Check prerequisites. Many of these courses also count toward SBC requirements. With the permission of the undergraduate director, students may select courses other than the pre-approved courses listed below. For a course to count toward the concentration, it must be passed with a grade of C or higher.

The pre-designed multidisciplinary concentrations are as follows (complete 6 courses in any one area).

Science and the Environment

Students study trends, acquire foundational knowledge, and get multiple perspectives on science and environmental issues that will help them report insightfully in the future. See Bulletin course descriptions for details and prerequisites.

Diversity and American Society

Students study trends and acquire knowledge, insights, historical context, and multiple perspectives on important societal issues that will help them report insightfully in the future. See Bulletin course descriptions for details and prerequisites. 

Public Affairs/Public Policy

Students study trends, acquire knowledge and historical context, and gain multiple perspectives on public policy issues that will help them report insightfully in the future. See Bulletin course descriptions for details and prerequisites. 

Global Issues and Perspectives

Students study trends, acquire knowledge and historical context, and gain multiple perspectives on global issues that will help them report insightfully in the future. See Bulletin course descriptions for details and prerequisites. 

Requirements for the Minor

Completion of the minor in Journalism requires 21 credits.  Students must earn a letter grade of C or higher in all journalism courses and Satisfactory or S in JRN internships, independent studies and workshops for these to count toward the minor.

1. The following courses (12 credits) are required of minors:

  • JRN 101 News Literacy
  • COM 106 Introduction to Mass Media
  • JRN 116 Introduction to Digital Journalism
  • COM 208 History of Mass Media

2. Three journalism electives (9 credits) at or above the 300 level are required. Please check the above list under the “Requirements for the Major” for options. Electives require U3/U4 standing to enroll.

Minors are welcome to take additional journalism courses, but should consult with the Undergraduate Director.