Journalism Curriculum
We prepare our journalism students as news reporters, editors, producers and photojournalists. They learn professional skills and concepts required for successful careers across multimedia platforms. Students develop skills in writing and editing, news gathering and reporting, media ethics and law. They practice news judgment to employ when editing print, digital, audio and video stories or designing and structuring websites.
Freshman Year
| Fall Courses | Credits | Spring Courses | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG 101 Written Communication I | 3 | ENG 102 Written Communication II | 3 |
| MAT 110 College Math II or higher | 3 | COM 103 Oral Communication | 3 |
| UNV 101 The Individual & Life | 1 | HEA 200 Health Education or two PED Classes | 2 |
| *Natural Science | 3 | SOC 205 Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| JAC 101 Media in a Multicultural Society | 3 | JAC 110 Introduction to Media Writing | 3 |
| JAC 105 Grammar & AP Style | 3 | JAC 200 Visual Media | 3 |
| Total | 16 | Total | 17 |
Sophomore Year
| Fall Courses | Credits | Spring Courses | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAC 210 Reporting & Newswriting Across Platforms | 3 | JAC 340 Broadcast Newswriting | 3 |
| JAC 265 Introduction to Radio/TV | 3 | JAC 310 Advanced Reporting and Newswriting | 3 |
| Minor/Area of Emphasis course | 3 | MES 130 Environ. Science or SCI 102 Physical Science | 3 |
| HUM 201 Humanities | 3 | HUM 202 Humanities II or substitute | 3 |
| CSC 120 Introduction to Computers | 3 | HIS 106 World Civilizations II | 3 |
| Total | 15 | Total | 15 |
Junior Year
| Fall Courses | Credits | Spring Courses | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| **JAC Specialized Skills | 3 | JAC 410 Content Editing | 3 |
| JAC 440 News Production | 3 | **JAC Specialized Skills | 3 |
| Minor/Area of Emphasis course | 3 | JAC 404 Media Ethics / JAC 405 Media Law | 3 |
| Political Science Elective | 3 | INS 220 Introduction to International Relations or substitute | 3 |
| PSY 203 Introduction to Psychology | 3 | Minor/Area of Emphasis course | 3 |
| Total | 15 | Total | 15 |
Senior Year
| Fall Courses | Credits | Spring Courses | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ***JAC Elective | 3 | JAC 465 Internship in Journalism and Communications | 3 |
| JAC 495 Senior Capstone(Journalism) | 3 | Minor/Area of Emphasis course | 3 |
| ETR 210 Introduction to Entrepreneurship or substitute | 3 | Liberal Arts/Science elective | 3 |
| Minor/Area of Emphasis course | 3 | Liberal Arts/Science elective | 3 |
| Minor/Area of Emphasis course | 3 | ||
| Total | 15 | Total | 12 |
TOTAL Credits: 120
*NATURAL SCIENCE: Choose ONE of the following: APS 101 Weather and Climate, APS 102 Natural Disasters, APS 105 Elements of Astronomy, APS 106 Astronomy of Stars and Galaxies, BIO 101 Nature of Life, BIO 103 General Biology, CHE 101 General Chemistry, SCI 102 Introduction to Physical Science, SCI 104 Introduction to Physical Science (Lab attached), SCI 203 Introduction to Nanoscience, MES 102 Earth & Ocean Systems, MES 130 Introduction to Environmental Science.Â
**JAC SPECIALIZED SKILL: Choose any TWO: JAC 301 Web Design and Production, JAC 330 Social and Multimedia Analytics, JAC 403 Media Entrepreneurship, JAC 406 Media Management, JAC 407 Pop Culture in Media, JAC 408 Sports Journalism, JAC 412 Feature and Editorial Storytelling, JAC 414 Business Journalism, JAC 415 Photojournalism, JAC 416 Science Journalism, JAC 420 Media Research, JAC 425 Crisis Communication, JAC 427 Event Management, JAC 440 News Production, JAC 445
Animation & Motion Graphics, JAC 450 Special Topics, JAC 451 Specialized Skills, JAC 452 International Journalism and Communications, JAC 453 Digital Media Innovation, JAC 454 Civil Rights Era and the Media, JAC 460 Independent Study in Journalism and Communications.
***JAC ELECTIVE: Choose any ONE from JAC courses not taken including the following: JAC 220 Principles of Public Relations, JAC 230 Principles of Advertising, JAC 260 Script Writing, JAC 301 Web Design and Production, JAC 305 Visual Communication, JAC 307 Digital Photography and Imaging, JAC 320 PR, Campaigns and Media Brand Marketing, JAC 403 Media Entrepreneurship, JAC 406 Media Management, JAC 407 Pop Culture in Media, JAC 408 Sports Journalism, JAC 412 Feature and Editorial Storytelling, JAC 414 Business Journalism, JAC 415 Photojournalism, JAC 416 Science Journalism, JAC 420 Media Research, JAC 425 Crisis Communication, JAC 427
Event Management, JAC 440 News Production, JAC 445 Animation & Motion Graphics, JAC 450 Special Topics, JAC 451 Specialized Skills, JAC 452 International Journalism and Communications, JAC 453 Digital Media Innovation, JAC 454 Civil Rights Era and the Media, JAC 460 Independent Study in Journalism and Communications.