bachelor of science degree in journalism
Journalism students in the Bachelor of Science degree program must complete the following courses for a total of 39 credits:
Six Core Courses:
JRN 200 Basics of Journalism
JRN 201 Reporting & Writing
JRN 210 Broadcast News
JRN 300 News Writing
JRN 301 News Media in America
JRN 351 Media Law & Ethics
Total Credits from core courses: 18
Plus Three Specialized Courses--
Majors are required to choose three courses -- one required course and two electives -- from one of the specialized areas, or to develop a cross-specialization, which will include at least one of the required specialized courses:
News Writing and Editing
JRN 305 News Editing (required)
Select any two:
JRN 240 Race and the News
JRN 301 News Media in America
JRN 302 Political Reporting
JRN 304 Sports Writing
JRN 306 News Design & Desktop Publishing
JRN 322 Literary Journalism
JRN 350 American Journalism History
JRN 351 Media Law and Ethics
Broadcast Journalism
JRN 311 Television News Workshop (required)
Select any two:
JRN 210 Broadcast News
JRN 240 Race and the News
JRN 301 News Media in America
JRN 302 Political Reporting
JRN 304 Sports Writing
JRN 310 TV News Documentary I
JRN 350 American Journalism History
JRN 351 Media Law & Ethics
JRN 410 TV News Documentary II
Magazine Journalism
JRN 320 Writing Magazine Articles I (required)
Select any two:
JRN 240 Race and the News
JRN 301 News Media in America
JRN 305 News Editing
JRN 321 Magazine Editing & Prod.
JRN 322 Literary Journalism
JRN 350 American Journalism History
JRN 351 Media Law & Ethics
JRN 420 Writing Magazine Articles II
Public Relations
JRN 230 Fundamentals of Public Relations (Required)
Select any two:
JRN 210 Broadcast News
JRN 240 Race and the News
JRN 301 News Media in America
JRN 305 News Editing
JRN 306 News Design & Desktop Pub.
JRN 310 TV News Documentary I
JRN 320 Writing Magazine Articles I
JRN 330 Public Relations Workshop I
JRN 350 American Journalism History
JRN 351 Media Law & Ethics
Journalism Internships (6 to 9 credits)
You are required to complete six to nine credits of one or more internships. You will plan your application for the internship with your faculty adviser or the internship coordinator. Most media agencies throughout the area have accepted journalism interns from the university. With faculty sponsorship and the dean's approval you may plan to substitute one or two independent study projects, each for three credits, to satisfy part of the internship requirements.
Two Journalism Electives
To complete the 39 credits, select two journalism electives. If you select nine internship credits, three internship credits may be applied to meet this requirement. One or two independent study projects with faculty sponsorship and the dean's approval are also acceptable for elective credits. Beyond the required journalism electives, you are limited to six additional credits for journalism courses involving specialized skills.
Cognate Courses (12 to 18 credits)
Select cognate courses with faculty advisement to meet your needs for professional preparation. The cognate courses, which are selected from other University departments, offer you the opportunity to broaden your liberal arts base and acquire specialized skills in areas such as photojournalism, television technology and graphic design. Cognate courses also prepare you for specialized writing in areas such as environmental science, urban studies, politics, economics, and theater. You may also develop a cognate to supplement journalism courses in preparation for a career in news writing, editing and publishing, public relations, or specialized reporting.
Two special requirements
The university's required courses may not be selected as cognate courses. Also, nine of the cognate credits must be for courses at the 300/400 level. Students are required to select one of two cognate patterns:
- A sequence of three courses in one subject plus at least one related course that may be in a different discipline, OR
- Three related skills courses, such as courses in graphics, photography or computer science, plus one other course related to a career goal.
