2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Major in Journalism (BA/BS)

Students will be guided by the outline of baccalaureate degrees, the University Core Curriculum and the program outline listed below. Students majoring in the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication are encouraged to meet with an advisor in the school within the first semester of the program. Prior to graduation, students must complete an exit exam. Instructions on exam completion will be sent to students during the final semester of enrollment.

Students are encouraged to select a second major or minor. Please check with an advisor in the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication before selecting a complementary major, minor, or concentration.

45-50 credits

Required SJSC Core, 27 credits

The School of Journalism and Strategic Communication (SJSC) offers majors in Journalism, Media Design and Development, and Strategic Communication. Requirements include (1) the SJSC core (27 credit hours) and (2) major/concentration area (18-23 credit hours). Multiple SJSC majors/concentrations particularly in Journalism or Strategic Communication may be earned by completing the additional requirements, typically 15 credit hours per added major/concentration.

All students are required to complete a minimum of three credits in JOUR 369 (internship).

ADPR 202Strategic Communication Theory and Inquiry

3

CCIM 200The CCIM Experience

1

CCIM 300CCIM Career Development

1

CCIM 400Career Success and Advancement

1

EMDD 216Design Thinking

3

JOUR 101Media and Society

3

JOUR 302People and Cultures in Media

3

JOUR 369Internship

0 TO 12

JOUR 419Career Readiness and Freelance

3

NEWS 449Legal and Ethical Issues

3

3 credits from:

ADPR 250Introduction to Advertising

3

ADPR 261Principles of Public Relations

3

Complete one concentration below:

Students must select one of the required concentrations in Writing and Multimedia Storytelling, Mass Communication, Photographic Storytelling, or Sports Writing and Multimedia Storytelling.

Writing and Multimedia Storytelling Concentration, 23 credits

Students are required to complete six credits in JOUR 413, which must be taken in three credit increments.

EMDD 103Introduction to Media Design

3

JOUR 413Advanced Writing and Reporting Topics

3-6

NEWS 105Journalistic Storytelling: Introduction

3

NEWS 132Multimedia: Audio

1

NEWS 133Multimedia: Video

1

NEWS 215News Editing

3

NEWS 233Specialized Story Form Strategy

3

3 credits from:
JOUR 280Writing for Magazines

3

NEWS 221Journalistic Storytelling: Covering Issues

3

Mass Communication Concentration, 21 credits

Course substitutions may be necessary for students completing the Journalism (Mass Communication) concentration, as a second SJSC major or concentration. Please consult your advisor.

ADPR 170AI in Creative Storytelling

3

EMDD 101The Digital World

3

EMDD 103Introduction to Media Design

3

EMDD 210Introduction to Social Media

3

NEWS 105Journalistic Storytelling: Introduction

3

6 credits from:
ADPR 385Public Relations Advanced Writing

3

JOUR 280Writing for Magazines

3

JOUR 322Sportswriting and Reporting

3

NEWS 215News Editing

3

Photographic Storytelling Concentration, 21 credits

Students are required to complete six credits in JOUR 437, which must be taken in three credit increments.

EMDD 103Introduction to Media Design

3

EMDD 212Introduction to Photographic Storytelling

3

JOUR 332Photojournalism Managing and Editing

3

JOUR 335Expanded Photographic Storytelling

3

JOUR 437Advanced Photographic Storytelling

3-12

NEWS 105Journalistic Storytelling: Introduction

3

Sports Writing and Multimedia Storytelling Concentration, 18 credits

Students take JOUR 413 for 3 credits.

ADPR 122Sports Media and Strategic Communication

3

CCIM 125Fundamentals of Sports Content Creation

3

COMM 355Communication and Sport

3

JOUR 413Advanced Writing and Reporting Topics

3-6

JOUR 322Sportswriting and Reporting

3

3 credits from:
MDIA 383Digital Sports Seminar

3-6

MDIA 424Advanced Sports Reporting and Delivery

3-6

Optional add-on concentrations

Journalism concentration, 9 credits

EMDD 212Introduction to Photographic Storytelling

3

NEWS 233Specialized Story Form Strategy

3

3 credits from:
JOUR 280Writing for Magazines

3

JOUR 322Sportswriting and Reporting

3

Strategic Communication concentration, 9 credits

ADPR 170AI in Creative Storytelling

3

ADPR 397Public Relations Topics

3-9

ADPR 398Advertising Topics

3-9

Student Media concentration, 12 credits

Open only to students with concentrations in Writing and Multimedia Storytelling, Mass Communication, and Photographic Storytelling.

Students can take up to 12 credits in JOUR 179 or MDIA 179.

12 credits from:
JOUR 179Student Media and Agency Practicum

0-12

MDIA 179Introduction to Student Media

1-6

Courses taken for the Student Media concentration may not be used in any other concentration.

Total Credit Hours: 45-50