BA in Journalism

The journalism major prepares students for careers in reporting, copywriting, investigative journalism, and more.

51 units

The journalism major offers an in-depth study of journalism, cultivating practical experience in writing, reporting, editing, and publication production and management. Two concentrations are offered: 

  • News and Storytelling
  • Sports Journalism

Career Opportunities

To prepare for their career opportunities, students are required to complete a 3-unit communication internship prior to graduation. Journalism graduates often work as:

  • News bloggers/columnists
  • Freelance writers
  • Foreign news correspondents
  • TV news anchors
  • Print/digital reporters
  • Investigative journalists
  • Copy editors
  • Managing editors
  • News analysts
  • Media relations specialists
  • Copywriters
  • Videographers
  • Sports reporters/anchors
  • Podcast/radio show hosts

Requirements

To graduate, journalism majors must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or higher in their major coursework.

Lower-Division Core Requirements
COMM 200Introduction to Mass Communication3
JOUR 119Converged Journalism Workshop: Introduction3
JOUR 210Foundations of Media Reporting and Writing3
JOUR 230Video Production: Introduction3
JOUR 240Introduction to Podcast, Radio, and Audio Production3
Upper-Division Core Requirements
JOUR 300Writing and Editing for Media Content3
COMM 305Writing 3: Writing for Communication 13
JOUR 305Media Law and Ethics3
JOUR 315Visual Design and Branding3
JOUR 319Converged Journalism Workshop: Intermediate3
JOUR 350Social Media and Analytics for Communicators3
JOUR 376Video and Audio Production: Advanced3
JOUR 419Converged Journalism Workshop: Advanced3
COMM 490Communication Internship 23
Area of Concentration9
Select one of the concentrations below.
Total Units51
1

Meets the General Education Writing 3 requirement. 

2

Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.

Areas of Concentration

News and Storytelling

Select three of the following:9
Photojournalism
Public Affairs and Political Reporting
Media Entrepreneurship
Special Topics
Total Units9

Sports Journalism

Select three of the following:9
Sports Writing and Broadcasting
Sports Strategic Communication and Public Relations
Sports, Entertainment, and Specialty Reporting
Special Topics
Total Units9

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:
  1. Generate excellent storytelling across a variety of media and platforms.
  2. Explain the history and theories of the media and the press which compel us to civic engagement as professional journalists, media practitioners, and scholars of the field.
  3. Apply ethical principles in the gathering and production of stories based on industry standards and Christian values that affirm people’s inherent worth.
  4. Understand the fields of a variety of different media through interaction with journalists and media professionals, work experience, and various coursework.