Program requirements
How the program works
The Bachelor of Journalism degree, granted upon the successful completion of 120 credits, includes a minimum of 60 credits of Journalism courses.
Most students enter into the Bachelor of Journalism program at the first year and complete four years ofvstudy in the program, graduating after completing 20 required Journalism courses, along with 20 elective courses.
Students entering at Third-Year who have taken no journalism or communication courses in first or second year would be required to take at least 48 credits of journalism, including the four core second-year courses.
Core curriculum will be adjusted during academic counseling as appropriate for students who have already taken journalism or communication courses in theirvfirst and second years.
- CMNS 1160 Introduction to Communications
- CMNS 2160 Mass Comm. & Popular Culture
- JOUR 2200 Introduction to Reporting Skills
- JOUR 2210 Introduction to News Photography and Videography
- CMNS 2290 Professional & Business Writing
- CMNS 2290 Professional & Business Writing
- JOUR 2060 Introduction to Multimedia
- JOUR 2020 Media Theory and History
- VISA 1500 Introduction to Visual Culture
- CMNS 1290 Introduction to Technical Writing
- ENOL 1100 or ENOL 1110 (or equivalent)
- CMNS 2200 Technology and Communication
- CMNS 2180 Social Networks & Internet Memes
- CMNS 2170 Interpersonal Communication
- JOUR 3700 Media Law and Ethics
- JOUR 3520 Journalism Research Methods
- JOUR 3800, JOUR 3800 and JOUR 4800
Years 1 and 2
The following courses will be required by Journalism students:
- CMNS 2290 Professional, Business and Technical Writing
- CMNS 1160 Introduction to Communications
- CMNS 2160 Mass Communication and the Popular Culture Industry
- VISA 1500 Introduction to Visual Culture
- JOUR 2200 Introduction to Reporting Skills and Techniques
- JOUR 2210 Introduction to Video/Photography
- JOUR 2060 Introduction to Multimedia
- JOUR 2020 Media Theory and History
In the first year, the curriculum emphasizes composition skills and media/communication literacy.
In the second year, the curriculum emphasizes the basics of reporting, writing and storytelling in different media formats and an introduction to the theoretical and historical foundations of journalism.
First and second-year courses are offered every year.
A core one-credit career prep course is offered in second, third and fourth years to help students prepare for and seek internships during their second and third years and jobs or graduate programs in fourth year.
Journalism career prep courses: JOUR 2800, JOUR 3800 and JOUR 4800.
Years 3 and 4
The emphasis in the senior years will be to enable students to develop expertise in multi-media and multi-format journalism.
Students will also have more opportunity to concentrate on developing expertise in specific reporting subjects or beats, reinforced by additional course-work in other disciplines.
Upper-level Journalism courses will rotate every two years to offer more choice to students.
Two senior core courses (JOUR 3700: Media Law and Ethics and JOUR 3520: Journalism Research Methods) and some writing intensive and production courses will be offered every year.
It is highly recommended that students complete a senior project course (JOUR 4750). All faculty will be involved in supervising senior projects that match their areas of reporting expertise and interest.
The Beat Reporting course (JOUR 3230) is a shell course, covering the basics of beat reporting while enabling students to specialize in subjects of their choice.
Third-year entry option
Students entering at third-year who have taken no journalism or communication courses in first or second year would be required to take at least 48 credits of journalism, including the four core second-year courses.
Core curriculum will be adjusted during academic counseling as appropriate for students who have already taken journalism or communication courses in their first and second years.