Journalism, BA

The Journalism major is designed to prepare students for graduate study and positions in the various media professions, such as journalism, publishing, radio, television, digital media and other digital communications. Emphasis is on writing and producing for broadcast, digital media, and print. Students may then pursue a minimum of 39 (maximum of 40) credits in the field.

Program Requirements for the Journalism Major

Required

CMA 2020MASS MEDIA & COMMUNICATION

3

JRL 2310NEWSWRITING

3

APR 3100/JRL 3100WRITING FOR MASS MEDIA

3

JRL 4150/DMP 4150MEDIA: PROBLEMS & PRACTICES

3

JRL 4910JOURNALISM CAPSTONE

3

CMA 2020: C or better to continue in the major

Electives in Major

21 Credits, choose from the list below or any CMA course above 2000

ART 3550/GRD 3550WEB PAGE AND WEB SITE DESIGN

3

DMP 2045FUNDAMENTALS OF TELEVISION

3

CMA 2170PUBLIC SPEAKING

3

APR 3080ARGUMENTATION & PERSUASION

3

CMA 3310/CRW 3310WRITING WORKSHOP: NARRATIVE JOURNALISM

3

CMA 3320/ENG 3320/JRL 3320MAGAZINE WRITING

3

JRL 3240NEWS LITERACY

3

JRL 3350/DMP 3350RADIO NEWS AND FEATURE REPORTING

3

JRL 3360COPYEDITING

3

DMP 4260/JRL 4260BACKPACK JOURNALISM

3

CMA 4850/4860/4870/4880

Graphic Art Elective (a student may take 1 graphic art class as part of the major, but it is not required)

JRL 2060SPORTS, MEDIA AND SOCIETY

3

JRL 2650INTRODUCTION TO SPORTS MEDIA

3

JRL 3650SPORTS WRITING AND REPORTING

3

JRL 4232/DMP 4232RADIO SPORTS WRITING & PRODUCTION

3

DMP 4260/JRL 4260BACKPACK JOURNALISM

3

ART 2200/GRD 2200DESIGN IN VISUAL COMMUNICATION

3

MTH 2070 (Elementary Statistics) is strongly advised

Sports Journalism Concentration

The Sports Journalism concentration within the Journalism major is designed to prepare students for careers in all aspects of sports journalism, whether it's their goal to be a sports reporter, editor, columnist, broadcaster or blogger. Emphasis is placed on developing research and writing skills and adapting their reporting to a variety of multimedia platforms, as well as learning best practices for sports reporting. 

The concentration requires 5 courses (15 credits) to be taken within the 39 credits of the Journalism degree requirements. These are: JRN 2650 Intro to Sports Media; JRN 2XXX Sports, Media and Society; JRN 3XXX Sports Writing and Reporting; JRN 4260 Backpack Journalism; and JRN 4232 Radio Sports Writing and Production.

Sports Journalism Concentration Required Courses

CMA 2650INTRODUCTION TO SPORTS MEDIA

3

CMA 4260BACKPACK JOURNALISM

3

CMA 4232RADIO SPORTS WRITING & PRODUCTION

3

CMA 2060Sports, Media and Society

3

CMA 3650Sports Writing and Reporting

3