Aug 18, 2025

2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Journalism B.A.

(54 credits)

The degree in Journalism requires a combination of 18 credit hours of common core courses, 12 credit hours of applied core courses, 3 credit hours of directed foundational studies and 21 credit hours of field of study electives. Students who major or minor in Journalism must earn a C- or higher in each course required in these respective programs. COMM 202 is recommended for all majors who have not already completed the Foundational Studies Communication requirement. ENG 313 New Media Writing is a required course in the Foundational Studies Junior Composition requirement.

Note: A student completing a major in Journalism may not also complete a minor in Journalism.

Common Core (18 credits)

Students will complete 18 credit hours of the common core in Communication.

COMM 204 - Media and Society 3 Credits
COMM 209 - Introduction to Research in Communication 3 Credits
COMM 211 - Interpersonal Communication 3 Credits
COMM 281 - Visual Communication 3 Credits
COMM 312 - Persuasion Theories 3 Credits
COMM 495 - Senior Capstone 3 Credits COMM 495 also fulfills the HIP Foundational Studies requirement.

Applied Core (12 credits)

Students will complete 12 credit hours in the Applied Journalism Core. 9 credit hours are required and 3 credit hours are selected from a list of journalism courses.

COMM 290 - Introduction to Media Writing 3 Credits
COMM 309 - Reporting 3 Credits
COMM 459 - Communication Law and Ethics 3 Credits
Choose 3 credits from the following course list. Credits / Units: 3
COMM 308 - Journalism History 3 Credits
Or
COMM 409 - Narrative Journalism 3 Credits
Or
COMM 421 - Investigative Journalism 3 Credits
Or
COMM 422 - Community Journalism 3 Credits

Directed Foundational Studies (3 credits)

ENG 313 - New Media Writing 3 Credits

Field of Study Electives (21 credits)

Students, in collaboration with their Departmental Advisor, will choose 21 credit hours of electives that align best with their field of study. Students may take up to 9 credit hours of coursework outside of the Department. Note: A student may not count a course taken as part of their applied core as part of their field of study elective requirements.

COMM 214 - Topics in Communication 3 Credits
Choose 21 credits from the course list below.
COMM 220 - Print-Based Media Production 3 Credits
COMM 230 - Live Video Production 3 Credits
COMM 270 - Photojournalism 3 Credits
COMM 287 - Media Performance 3 Credits
COMM 288 - Sports Media Production 3 Credits
COMM 308 - Journalism History 3 Credits
COMM 320 - Time-Based Media Production 3 Credits
COMM 435 - Digital Storytelling 3 Credits
COMM 343 - Narrative Film and Video Production 3 Credits
COMM 373 - Internet as Cultural Communication 3 Credits
COMM 381 - Political Communication 3 Credits
COMM 409 - Narrative Journalism 3 Credits
COMM 414 - Special Topics 3 Credits
COMM 420 - Interactive Media Production 3 Credits
COMM 421 - Investigative Journalism 3 Credits
COMM 422 - Community Journalism 3 Credits
COMM 428 - Media and Identity 3 Credits
COMM 433 - Media Criticism 3 Credits
COMM 458 - Global Media 3 Credits
COMM 464 - Individual Project in Communication 3 Credits
COMM 472 - Social Media Management 3 Credits
COMM 492 - Professional Internship in Communication 3-6 Credits

Degree Map

Students must earn a C- or higher in all required courses.

Fall 1st Year

ENG 101 - Freshman Writing I 3 Credits
COMM 204 - Media and Society 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: Communication | 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: GPCD | 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: Quantitative Literacy | 3 Credits

15 Credits

Spring 1st Year

COMM 209 - Introduction to Research in Communication 3 Credits
COMM 211 - Interpersonal Communication 3 Credits
ENG 105 - Freshman Writing II 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: Social & Behavioral Sceince | 3 Credits

15 Credits

Fall 2nd Year

COMM 281 - Visual Communication 3 Credits
COMM 290 - Introduction to Media Writing 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: Fine & Performing Arts | 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: Lab Science | 4 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits

16 Credits

Spring 2nd Year

COMM 309 - Reporting 3 Credits
COMM 312 - Persuasion Theories 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: ESR | 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: History | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits

15 Credits

Fall 3rd Year

Foundational Studies: Literary Studies | 3 Credits
Major Elective (Field of Study) | 3 Credits
Major Elective (Field of Study) | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits

15 Credits

Spring 3rd Year

ENG 313 - New Media Writing 3 Credits
COMM 308 - Journalism History 3 Credits
OR
COMM 409 - Narrative Journalism 3 Credits
OR
COMM 421 - Investigative Journalism 3 Credits
OR
COMM 422 - Community Journalism 3 Credits
Major Elective (Field of Study) | 3 Credits
Major Elective (Field of Study) | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits

15 Credits

Fall 4th Year

COMM 459 - Communication Law and Ethics 3 Credits
COMM 495 - Senior Capstone 3 Credits
or
- Elective | 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: UDIE | 3 Credits
Major Elective (Field of Study) | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits

15 Credits

Spring 4th Year

COMM 495 - Senior Capstone 3 Credits
or
- Elective | 3 Credits
- Major Elective (Field of Study) | 3 Credits
- Major Elective (Field of Study) | 3 Credits
- Elective | 3 Credits
- Elective | 2 Credits
14 Credits

3 Year Degree Map

The 3 year degree plan is available for the students meeting the following requirements:

Student is an incoming freshman to the on-campus program
English placement score into ENG 105/107 or GH 101 & GH 102
Math placement directly into Quantitative Literacy category

Fall 1st Year

COMM 290 - Introduction to Media Writing 3 Credits
COMM 204 - Media and Society 3 Credits
ENG 105 - Freshman Writing II 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: Communication | 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: GPCD | 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: Quantitative Literacy | 3 Credits

18 Credits

Spring 1st Year

COMM 209 - Introduction to Research in Communication 3 Credits
COMM 211 - Interpersonal Communication 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: Social & Behaviroal Studies | 3 Credits
Major Elective | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits

18 Credits

Summer 1st Year

Elective | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits

6 Credits

Fall 2nd Year

COMM 281 - Visual Communication 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: Fine & Performing Arts | 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: Lab Science | 4 Credits
Major Elective | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits
Elective | 2 Credits

18 Credits

Spring 2nd Year

COMM 459 - Communication Law and Ethics 3 Credits
COMM 309 - Reporting 3 Credits
COMM 312 - Persuasion Theories 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: ESR | 3 Credits
Foundational Studies: History | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits

18 Credits

Summer 2nd Year

Foundational Studies: UDIE | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits

6 Credits

Fall 3rd Year

Foundational Studies: Literary Studies | 3 Credits
Major Elective | 3 Credits
Major Elective | 3 Credits
Major Elective | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits

18 Credits

Spring 3rd Year

COMM 495 - Senior Capstone 3 Credits
ENG 313 - New Media Writing 3 Credits
Major Elective | 3 Credits
Major Elective | 3 Credits
Major Elective | 3 Credits
Elective | 3 Credits

18 Credits