Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Journalism and Mass Communication Major

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The Journalism and Mass Communication Major

The journalism and mass communication major prepares students for careers that involve all aspects of news and information. Emphasis is placed on generating ideas, organizing, writing, editing and presenting information for various media platforms and audiences. Students work with advisers to develop a program of study that prepares them for work in communication-specific areas including broadcast media, magazines and/or newspapers, public relations/public information, science communication or visual communication and online/multimedia.

To be a journalism and mass communication major, a student must successfully complete:  

JL MC 101 Mass Media and Society 3
JL MC 110 Orientation to Journalism and Communication 1
JL MC 201 Reporting and Writing for the Mass Media (with a C+ or better) 3

 Until these courses are successfully completed, journalism and mass communication students are designated as pre-majors. To receive a bachelor of science degree in journalism and mass communication, a student must earn at least 120 credits. A minimum of 80 credits must come from courses other than ADVRT or JL MC. At least 65 of these credits must come from the liberal arts and sciences. Overall, at least 45 credits must be from 300-level or above. Journalism and mass communication majors are required to take:

STAT 101 Principles of Statistics (or another approved statistics course) 4

 The degree requirements allow for a minimum of 33 and a maximum of 40 credits to be taken in ADVRT and JL MC. These include:

JL MC 101 Mass Media and Society 3
JL MC 110 Orientation to Journalism and Communication 1
JL MC 201 Reporting and Writing for the Mass Media 3
JL MC 202 Intermediate Reporting and Writing for the Mass Media (C+ or better in JL MC 202, JL MC 206, or JL MC 321) 3
or JL MC 206 Reporting and Writing for the Electronic Media
or JL MC 321 Public Relations Writing
JL MC 460 Law of Mass Communication 3
JL MC 499 Professional Media Internship 3

 

  Additional recommended courses and requirements for the journalism and mass communication major are available from the Greenlee School. 6
Advertising Principles  
Research and Strategic Planning for Advertising and Public Relations  
Advertising Media Planning  
Principles of Public Relations  
Research and Strategic Planning for Advertising and Public Relations  
Publicity Methods  
Contemporary Magazine Publishing  
Visual Principles for Mass Communicators  
   
Mass Communication Theory  
Media Management  
Electronic Media Technology and Public Policy  
Critical Analysis and History of the Moving Image  
History of American Journalism  
Media Ethics, Freedom, Responsibility  
Journalism and Literature  
Communication Technology and Social Change  
World Communication Systems  
Ethnicity, Gender, Class and the Media  
Special Topics in Communication  
Special Topics in Communication  

The School requires a Minor  taken outside of ADVRT and JL MC. 

Journalism and mass communication majors may not pursue a second major or minor in advertising.

2013-2014 Catalog

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2012-2013 Catalog

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2011-2012 Catalog

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2009-2011 Catalog

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2007-2009 Catalog

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2005-2007 Catalog

4-Year Planning Guide
Major Requirements