The Department of Journalism and Media Studies is committed to excellence in teaching, bringing industry-based applications to the classroom, and providing practical experiences that assist students with attaining employment in media. With the option of choosing one of the three concentrations offered within the department, students are exposed to theoretical and hands-on experiences. Media Production is the process of producing visual media creations, e.g., video editing and production, multimedia authoring, and the creation of media artifacts, for television delivery. Career options in media production include print and broadcast opportunities, such as photography, videography, reporters, writers, anchors, audiovisual technicians, studio engineers, and producers. 

Degree Requirements

The Department of Journalism and Media Studies awards the Bachelor of Science degree in the following concentration areas, Media Production, Multimedia Journalism, Sports Media, and Integrated Marketing Communications. To be eligible to earn this degree, students must:

1. Complete the university’s general education core requirements.
2. Complete the major concentration area requirements.
3. Complete a minor or take elective courses outside of the major.

Capstone Course

Senior Journalism and Media Studies Students must take the Capstone course to demonstrate their professional skill levels writing, shooting, and editing, as well as their understanding of media laws and ethical practices of journalism.

Major Requirements in Journalism and Media Studies

JMS 200 INTRO TO MASS COMMUNICATIONS, JMS 201 INTRODUCTION TO MEDIA WRITING, and JMS 301 INTRODUCTION TO NEWS REPORTING are prerequisites for all concentration areas in Journalism and Media Studies. A grade of “C” or higher is required in all major courses.

Core Credit Hours Required For All Concentrations

All students who major in Journalism and Media Studies must complete the following major courses to be eligible for graduation.

Concentration

The Media Production concentration is designed to provide undergraduate students with professional experience and training for careers in electronic media. Students will be taught skills in shooting, editing, and news reporting. This concentration area requires a total of 21 hours. The required hours for all students in this area are as follows:

Curriculum Map

Notes:

• Candidates that transfer 12 or more hours of college credit are exempt from UNIV 100 UNIVERSITY SUCCESS; however, the student must take 2 hours of general electives to replace the UNIV course.
• Online Graduation Clearance (to be completed during the graduating semester only).

Student Learning Outcomes

A capstone course is utilized to assess student learning within their last semester of the program. Individual student outcome measures are the ability to:

• demonstrate ways to produce broadcast quality standard VO, VOSOT, packages, and whips;
• produce broadcast quality standard documentaries;
• demonstrate an understanding of media programming and producing a broadcast quality standard newscast.
• publish professional quality journalistic news articles;
• adhere to journalistic standards of timeliness and professionalism;
• produce professional quality journalist photographs and digital news stories;
• produce client satisfactory advertising and public relation campaigns;
• produce strategic and aesthetically pleasing advertising layouts and materials; and
• perform communication audits.