Degree Requirements
Journalism Major
B.A., B.S. degrees
A journalism major requires 39 hours of journalism course work. The last 18 hours of journalism course work leading to a journalism major should be taken within the journalism department of CMU. A grade of C or better is required in each course counted toward the major and an overall grade point average of 2.5 for all journalism courses counted toward the major. A maximum of 44 journalism credits can be applied to graduation. No more than three credits of journalism internship can be applied toward the major. In order to graduate as a major in the Department of Journalism, a student must complete at least 80 semester hours of course work in departments other than journalism. Of those 80 semester hours, 65 must be in the liberal arts and sciences, which are listed under the University Program and area requirements for the B.A. and B.S. degrees. Each journalism major must consult with a journalism faculty adviser prior to registering for courses each semester to ensure orderly progress toward meeting these requirements.
Advertising, News Editorial, or Public Relations
Concentrations
Core Courses I (21 hours):
JRN 102 - Introduction to Journalism 3(3-0)
JRN 202 - Writing for the Mass Media 3(3-0)
JRN 203 - Information Gathering for the Mass Media
3(3-0)
JRN 220 - Basic Media Photography 3(3-0)
JRN 302 - Introduction to Graphics and Visual
Communication 3(3-0)
JRN 404 - Law of Mass Communication 3(3-0)
JRN 500 - Current Issues in Mass Communication
3(3-0)
Core Courses II (3 hours):
Select one of the following:
JRN 372 - International and Cross-cultural Mass Communication 3(3-0)
JRN 380 - Racial Diversity: Mass Media’s Role 3(3-0)
Select from the following concentrations, or Photojournalism below:
Advertising Concentration:
Required (12 hours):
JRN 360 - Advertising Principles 3(3-0)
JRN 365 - Advertising Media 3(3-0)
JRN 465 - Advertising Copy and Design 3(3-0)
JRN 466 - Advertising Campaigns 3(3-0)
Elective (3 hours)
An additional Journalism course (3), as approved
by the adviser.
News Editorial (15 hours):
Required (12 hours):
JRN 312 (3) Reporting
JRN 315 (3) Editing
JRN 430 (3) Magazine and Feature Writing
JRN 516 (3) Public Affairs Reporting
An additional Journalism course (3), as approved
by the adviser.
Elective (3 hours)
An additional Journalism course, as approved by the advisor.
Public Relations Concentration:
Required (12 hours):
JRN 350 - Public Relations Principles and
Practices 3(3-0)
JRN 450 - Public Relations Writing 3(3-0)
JRN 551 - Case Studies in Public Relations 3(3-0)
JRN 556 - Public Relations Seminar 3(3-0)
Elective (3
hours)
An additional Journalism course, as approved by the advisor.
Total: 39 semester hours
Photojournalism Concentration:
Core Courses (24 hours)
JRN 101 - Mass Communications in Contemporary
Society 3(3-0)
JRN 202 - Writing for the Mass Media 3(3-0)
JRN 203 - Information Gathering for the Mass Media 3(3-0)
JRN 220 - Basic Media Photography 3(3-0)
JRN 302 - Introduction to Graphics and Visual Communication 3(3-0)
JRN 380 - Racial Diversity: Mass Media’s Role 3(3-0)
JRN 404 - Law of Mass Communication 3(3-0)
JRN 500 - Current Issues in Mass Communication 3(3-0)
Required Courses I (9 hours)
JRN 320 - Photo Editing
3(3-0)
JRN 420 - Photography Studio Techniques 3(3-0)
JRN 422 - The Photographic Process 3(3-0)
Required Courses II (3 hours)
Select one of the following:
JRN 520 - Independent Study in Photography 3(3-0)
JRN 521 - Seminar in News Photography 3(3-0)
Elective (3 hours)
An additional Journalism course, as approved by the advisor.
Total: 39 semester hours
Photojournalism Major
B.A.; B.S. degreesA photojournalism major requires 42 hours of journalism course work. The last 18 hours of journalism course work leading to a photojournalism major should be taken within the journalism department of CMU. A grade of C or better is required in each course counted toward the major and an overall grade point average of 2.5 for all journalism courses counted toward the major. A maximum of 44 journalism credits can be applied to graduation. No more than three credits of journalism internship can be applied toward the major.
In order to graduate as a major in the Department of Journalism, a student must complete at least 80 semester hours of course work in departments other than journalism. Of those 80 semester hours, 65 must be in the liberal arts and sciences, which are listed under the University Program and area requirements for the B.A. and B.S. degrees. Each photojournalism major must consult with a journalism faculty advisor prior to registering for courses each semester to ensure orderly progress toward meeting these requirements.
Required Courses I (15 hours)
JRN 102 - Introduction to Journalism 3(3-0)
JRN 202 - Writing for the Mass Media 3(3-0)
JRN 220 - Basic Media Photography 3(3-0)
JRN 340 - Introduction to Online Journalism 3(3-0)
JRN 404 - Law of Mass Communication 3(3-0)
Required Courses II (3 hours)
Select one of the following:
JRN 372 - International and Cross-cultural Mass Communication 3(3-0)
JRN 380 - Racial Diversity: Mass Media’s Role 3(3-0)
Required Courses III (21 hours)
JRN 302 - Introduction to Graphics and Visual Communication 3(3-0)
JRN 320 - Photo Editing 3(3-0)
JRN 420 - Photography Studio Techniques 3(3-0)
JRN 422 - The Photographic Process 3(3-0)
JRN 423 - Online Visual Storytelling 3(3-0)
JRN 445 - Multimedia Reporting 3(3-0)
JRN 521 - Seminar in News Photography 3(3-0)
Required Courses IV (3 hours)
Select one of the following:
JRN course 300 level or above approved by advisor (3 hours) OR
JRN 529 - - Photojournalism Internship 1-4(Spec)
Required Courses V (9 hours)
ART 140 - Photography I: Introduction to Digital Photography 3(0-6)
ART 239 - Digital Imaging I 3(0-6)
ART 240 - Photography II: Digital Montage & Studio Lighting 3(0-6)
Total: 51 semester hours
Online Journalism Major
B.A.; B.S. degrees
An online journalism major requires 42 hours of journalism course work. The last 18 hours of journalism course work leading to an online journalism major should be taken within the journalism department of CMU. A grade of C or better is required in each course counted toward the major and an overall grade point average of 2.5 for all journalism courses counted toward the major. A maximum of 44 journalism credits can be applied to graduation. No more than three credits of journalism internship can be applied toward the major.
In order to graduate as a major in the Department of Journalism, a student must complete at least 80 semester hours of course work in departments other than journalism. Of those 80 semester hours, 65 must be in the liberal arts and sciences, which are listed under the University Program and area requirements for the B.A. and B.S. degrees. Online journalism majors must consult with a journalism faculty advisor prior to registering for courses each semester to ensure orderly progress toward meeting these requirements.
Required Courses I (15 hours)
JRN 102 - Introduction to Journalism 3(3-0)
JRN 202 - Writing for the Mass Media 3(3-0)
JRN 220 - Basic Media Photography 3(3-0)
JRN 340 - Introduction to Online Journalism 3(3-0)
JRN 404 - Law of Mass Communication 3(3-0)
Required Courses II (3 hours)
Select one of the following:
JRN 372 - International and Cross-cultural Mass Communication 3(3-0)
JRN 380 - Racial Diversity: Mass Media’s Role 3(3-0)
Required Courses III (15 hours)
JRN 203 - Information Gathering for the Mass Media 3(3-0)
JRN 302 - Introduction to Graphics and Visual Communication 3(3-0)
JRN 440 - Advanced Online Journalism 3(3-0)
JRN 441 - Computer Assisted Reporting 3(3-0)
JRN 445 - Multimedia Reporting 3(3-0)
Required Courses IV (3 hours)
Select one of the following:
JRN 448 - Online Journalism Practicum 3(Spec)
JRN 449 - Online Journalism Internship 3(Spec)
Required Courses V (6 hours)
Select two of the following:
JRN 312 - Reporting 3(3-0)
JRN 315 - Editing 3(3-0)
JRN 430 - Magazine and Feature Writing 3(3-0)
JRN 516 - Public Affairs Reporting 3(3-0)
Total: 42 semester hours
LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES REQUIREMENTS: THE 80/65 RULE
The Department of Journalism is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. Therefore, ALL students majoring in journalism at CMU (regardless of concentration) must comply with ACEJMC’s 80/65 rule which mandates that all students must take 80 hours of course work outside of their major. Of those 80 hours, 65 must be in the Liberal Arts and Sciences. Please see below for a list of the courses that constitute Liberal Arts and Sciences courses at CMU:
LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES REQUIREMENT CHECKLIST
DEPARTMENT OF JOURNALISM
To graduate as journalism major, among other requirements, a student must have 80 hours outside the major and 65 hours of non-journalism course work in the liberal arts and sciences.
A course counts as a liberal arts and sciences course if:
It has one of the following designators: Hours
| AMS | _____ |
| ANT | _____ |
| ART | _____ |
| AST | _____ |
| BIO | _____ |
| CHM | _____ |
| COM 101,267,357 | _____ |
| ECO | _____ |
| ENG | _____ |
| ENT 213 | _____ |
| ESC | _____ |
| FLN | _____ |
| FRN | _____ |
| GEL | _____ |
| GEO | _____ |
| GER | _____ |
| GRK | _____ |
| HST | _____ |
| HUM | _____ |
| JPN | _____ |
| LAT | _____ |
| MET | _____ |
| MTH | _____ |
| MUS | _____ |
| OJB | _____ |
| PHL | _____ |
| PHS | _____ |
| PHY | _____ |
| PSC | _____ |
| PSY | _____ |
| REL | _____ |
| RUS | _____ |
| PUS | _____ |
| SCI | _____ |
| SOC | _____ |
| SPN | _____ |
| SSC | _____ |
| STA | _____ |
| TAI 302 | _____ |
It is one of these individual courses:
| AMD 252 | _____ | |
| ASL 101 | _____ | |
| BCA 288, 290, 300, 503 | _____ | |
| BIS 104 | _____ | |
| BLR 202, 222, 325, 365 | _____ | |
| CD0 130, 334, 335, 463, 503 | _____ | |
| CHN 101, 102 | _____ | |
|
CPS 100, 110, 120 150, 180, 181 210, 280, 340 360, 370, 380 410, 450, 468 530, 541, 560 575 |
_____ | |
| ENV 101 | _____ | |
| EUR 303, 304 | _____ | |
| FNS 361, 370, 473 | _____ | |
| GRN 247 | _____ | |
| HDF 100, 110, 111, 212, 213, 306, 318, 332, 510 | _____ | |
|
HEV 100, 110, 111 212, 213, 252, 306, 318, 332, 361, 370, 473, 510 |
_____ | |
|
HON 101,110,120 130, 140 |
_____ | |
| HSC 106,211, 214, 215 | _____ | |
| LAR 145 | _____ | |
| RUS 101 | _____ | |
|
TAI 170, 175, 182 |
_____ | |
|
WST 207, 221, 230 325, 326, 328 334, 380 |
_____ | |
|
Up to 3 hours of study abroad |
_____ | |
|
Up to 3 hours of study in a sub- stantially different culture |
_____ | |
|
All compentency courses including SDA & COM (formerly IPC) |
_____ | |
TOTAL (must be 65 or more hours)
Journalism Minor
BA, B.A.A., B.F.A., BS, BS in BA degrees
A journalism minor requires at least 21 hours of journalism coursework. A grade of C or better is required in each course counted toward the minor.
Required Courses (15 hours)
JRN 102 - Introduction to Journalism 3(3-0)
JRN 202 - Writing for the Mass Media 3(3-0)
JRN 302 - Introduction to Graphics and Visual
Communication 3(3-0)
JRN 312 - Reporting 3(3-0)
JRN 315 - Editing 3(3-0)
Electives (6 hours)
An advanced journalism writing course
(numbered 300 or above) as approved by the
minor advisor OR JRN 220, Basic Media Photography.
A journalism course in theory or principles
as approved by the minor advisor.
Total: 21 semester hours
Interdepartmental
Advertising Minor
B.A.; B.A.A.; B.S.; and B.S. in B.A. degrees
The Advertising Minor is offered by the Department of Journalism and the Department of Marketing and Hospitality Services Administration. The minor brings together courses designed to provide skills for the student with a career interest in advertising. It also provides a working knowledge of advertising for those in careers closely related to advertising.
Required Courses I (15 hours)
JRN 302 - Introduction to Graphics and Visual
Communication 3(3-0)
JRN 360 - Advertising Principles 3(3-0)
JRN 465 - Advertising Copy and Design 3(3-0)
MKT 300 - Introduction to Marketing 3(3-0)
MKT 410 - Advertising Management 3(3-0)
Required Courses II (3 hours)
Select one of the following:
JRN 365 - Advertising Media 3(3-0)
MKT 315 - Advertising Media 3(3-0)
Electives (6 hours)
Electives in advertising approved by the advertising
minor advisor.
Total: 24 semester hours
Interdepartmental
Public Affairs Minor B.A.; B.S.; B.A.A. degrees
The Public Affairs Minor is offered by the
Department of Journalism and the Department of
Political Science.
The minor brings together courses designed to
provide skills and knowledge for the student with a
career interest in public affairs communication.
Only JRN 202 (3) can be double-counted by Journalism
majors and minors. Only PSC 105 (3) can be
double-counted by Political Science majors and
minors. Credits from only one internship, either
Journalism or Political Science can be counted
toward the Public Affairs Minor. Internship hours
are limited to 3.
Required Courses (12 hours)
JRN 202 - Writing for the Mass Media 3(3-0)
JRN 350 - Public Relations Principles and Practices
3(3-0)
PSC 105 - Introduction to American Government and
Politics 3(3-0)
PSC 261 - State and Local Government 3(3-0)
Electives (12 hours)
JRN 360 - Advertising Principles 3(3-0)
JRN 450 - Public Relations Writing 3(3-0)
JRN 551 - Case Studies in Public Relations 3(3-0)
JRN 556 - Public Relations Seminar 3(3-0)
JRN 559 - Public Relations Internship 1-4(Spec)
PSC 210 - Introduction to Public Administration
3(3-0)
PSC 313 - Budgetary Processes in the United States
3(3-0)
PSC 320 - The American Legislative Process 3(3-0)
PSC 327 - Lobbying and Interest Group Behavior
3(3-0)
PSC 395 - Internship in Government and Politics
1-2(Spec)
Total: 24 semester hours
Interdisciplinary
Media Design, Production, and Technology Minor
B.S.; B.A.; B.A.A.
The Minor in Media Design, Production, and Technology consists of 24 semester hours which will be divided into a 15 hour core and 9 hours of electives. The specific design of the minor follows:
Required Courses (15 hours)
ART 135 - Introduction to Graphic Design 3(0-6)
BCA 223 - Video Production 3(1-4)
CPS 282 - Introduction to Multimedia Design 3(3-0)
IET 143 - Introduction to Graphic Arts 3(2-2)
JRN 220 - Basic Media Photography 3(3-0)
Electives (9 hours)
Select from the following in consultation with an
advisor. Other electives may be substituted with
consent of advisor.
ART 235 - Logo and Identity Design 3(0-6)
ART 239 - Digital Imaging I 3(0-6)
ART 335 - Design Bureau 3(0-6)
ART 339 - Digital Imaging II 3(0-6)
ART 349 - Typography 3(0-6)
ART 435 - Professional Design Practices 3(0-6)
BCA 222 - Audio Production 3(1-4)
BCA 421 - Advanced Audio Production 3(2-2)
BCA 521 - Electronic Cinematography 3(2-2)
BCA 522 - Multimedia Audio Post-Production 3(2-2)
BCA 532 - Advanced Video/Multimedia Post-Production
3(2-2)
CPS 165 - Modern Website Design 3(3-0)
CPS 482 - Advanced Multimedia Design 3(3-0)
IET 343 - Line Photography and Beginning Offset
3(2-2)
IET 543 - Production Printing Methods 3(2-2)
ITC 320 - Web-Based Applications 3(3-0)
ITC 582 - Multimedia Systems 3(3-0)
JRN 302 - Introduction to Graphics and Visual
Communication 3(3-0)
JRN 320 - Photo Editing 3(3-0)
JRN 420 - Photography Studio Techniques 3(3-0)
JRN 422 - The Photographic Process 3(3-0)
Note: Students may also select, as part of their Elective hours, an Internship Experience through a Participating Department (3 hours)
Total: 24 semester hours
Note: Students may not apply more than 6 hours of coursework from their declared major towards this
minor. Students are required to achieve a grade of C
(2.0) or better in each of the Core courses in the
minor.
Interdisciplinary
Integrative Public Relations Major
B.A.; B.A.A.; B.S. degrees
Integrative Public Relations is an interdepartmental
major grounded in the disciplines concerned with the
practice of public relations. Students are strongly
encouraged to work closely with their academic
advisor throughout their academic careers. Students
majoring in integrative public relations must
achieve a grade of C or better in each course in the
major, including electives, and a minimum 2.5 GPA
overall in the major.
Required Courses (41 hours)
BCA 210 - Survey of the Mass Media 4(4-0)
BCA 311 - Electronic Media Copywriting 3(3-0)
BCA 512 - Broadcast and Cable Promotion 3(3-0)
COM 264 - Organizational Communication 3(3-0)
COM 357 - Public Speaking 3(3-0)
IPR 101 - Foundations of Integrative Public
Relations 1(1-0)
IPR 555 - Public Relations Internship 3-6(Spec)
JRN 202 - Writing for the Mass Media 3(3-0)
JRN 302 - Introduction to Graphics and Visual
Communication 3(3-0)
JRN 350 - Public Relations Principles and Practices
3(3-0)
JRN 450 - Public Relations Writing 3(3-0)
JRN 551 - Case Studies in Public Relations 3(3-0)
JRN 556 - Public Relations Seminar 3(3-0)
Note: COM 357 fulfills the oral competency requirement.
Electives I (6 hours)
Select from the following:
COM 195 - Intercultural Communication 3(3-0)
COM 353 - Small Group Communication 3(3-0)
COM 362/WST 362 - Gender Communication 3(3-0)
COM 363 - Principles and Types of Interviewing
3(3-0)
COM 365 - Persuasion and Social Influence 3(3-0)
COM 560 - Communication and Social/Organizational
Change 3(3-0)
COM 561 - Communication in Conflict Management
3(3-0)
Electives II (3 hours)
Select from the following:
BCA 317 - Electronic Media Performance 3(2-2)
BCA 318 - Radio and Television News 3(3-0)
BCA 411 - Long-Form Electronic Media Writing 3(3-0)
BCA 503 - Critiquing Mass Media 3(3-0)
BCA 511 - Electronic Media Sales 3(3-0)
Electives III (9 hours)
Select a total of 9 hours of Multimedia and
Entrepreneurship from the following groups:
Group A (3-6 hours)
Select hours from business:
ENT 210/ACC 210 - Accounting Information for
Entrepreneurial Decision Making 3(3-0)
ENT 221/MKT 221 - Marketing Strategies for
Entrepreneurs 3(3-0)
ENT 320/FIN 320 - Financial Management of the
Entrepreneurial Venture 3(3-0)
PHL 318 - Business Ethics 3(3-0)
Group B (3-6 hours)
Select hours from research into publics:
PSC 327 - Lobbying and Interest Group Behavior
3(3-0)
PSY 211 - Introduction to Psychological Statistics
3(3-0)
PSY 337 - Psychology of Advertising 3(3-0)
SOC 200 - Introduction to Social Research and
Analysis 3(3-0)
Group C (0-3 hours)
Select hours from multimedia design and integrated
marketing:
CPS 282 - Introduction to Multimedia Design 3(3-0)
CPS 482 - Advanced Multimedia Design 3(3-0)
JRN 360 - Advertising Principles 3(3-0)
JRN 365 - Advertising Media 3(3-0)
MKT 300 - Introduction to Marketing 3(3-0)
Total: 59 semester hours
General Guidelines
Courses are numbered by related areas within the
field of journalism. The second and third digits
indicate the area relationship. These are: General
Courses—(00); News Editorial- —(10);
Photojournalism—(20); Magazines—(30); Teaching—
(40); Public Relations—(50); Advertising—(60);
Open—(70); Advanced Graduate Courses—(80); and
Special
