Dec 26, 2024  
2023-2024 General Catalog 
    
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Journalism and Communication - BA, BS


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College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of Journalism and Communication

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Program Description:

 

The journalism and communication bachelor’s degree (BA, BS) begins with six foundational courses intended to build competence and insight, and includes four additional areas of mastery: “writing,” “critical thinking,” “professional application,” and “deep exploration.” The full program is available to students on any Utah State University campus as well as those studying partially or fully online.

 

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits 120

 

Grade Point Average (most majors require higher GPA)

2.00 GPA
Credits of C- or better 100 Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above) 40
Total USU Credits 30 Upper-division USU Credits 20
USU Credits within the Major 10 Credits in Minor (if required) 12
Credits in Major see below Credits in American Institutions 3
General Education Requirements   see link University Studies Depth Requirements   see link
NOTES: highest Math Requirement for this degree is: STAT 1040 Introduction to Statistics (QL)  or STAT 1045 Introduction to Statistics with Elements of Algebra (QL)  

 

Admissions Requirements for this Program

New freshmen Admitted to USU in Good Standing

 

Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU 2.50 GPA

First Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

ENGL 1010 Introduction to Writing: Academic Prose (CL1)   3   Communications Literacy (CL1) JCOM 1130 News Writing   3   Minimum grade of “C+” or higher

Quantitative Literacy (QL) 

 
3-5

This course will be used for future course prerequisites and may be used to satisfy the QL requirement.

STAT 1040 /STAT 1045  recommended

JCOM 2010 Media Literacy (BSS)   3   Minimum grade of “C+” or higher
JCOM 1500 Introduction to Mass Communication (BSS)   3   Minimum grade of “C+” or higher Breadth Life Sciences (BLS)   3  
Breadth Creative Arts (BCA)   3   Breadth Humanities (BHU)   3  
Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
Comments

 

Comments

Second Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

ENGL 2010 Intermediate Writing: Research Writing in a Persuasive Mode (CL2)   3     JCOM Writing 3 Minimum grade of “C” or higher
JCOM Professional Application 3 Minimum grade of “C” or higher JCOM 2030 Multimedia Boot Camp   3   Minimum grade of “C” or higher
JCOM 2020 Communication Research Methods (QI)     3   Minimum grade of “C” or higher Depth Life and Physical Sciences (DSC)   3  
Breadth American Institutions (BAI)   3   Elective Course 3  
Breadth Physical Sciences (BPS)   3   Elective Course 3  
Comments

 

Comments

 

Third Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

JCOM Critical Thinking 3 Minimum grade of “C” or higher JCOM Critical Thinking 3 Minimum grade of “C” or higher
JCOM Professional Application 3 Minimum grade of “C” or higher JCOM Professional Application 3 Minimum grade of “C” or higher
Elective Course 3   Depth Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA)   3  
Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
Upper-Elective Course 3   Upper-Elective Course 3  
Comments

 

Comments

 

Fourth Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

JCOM 4030 Mass Media Law (DSS)   3   Minimum grade of “C” or higher JCOM Deep Exploration 3 Minimum grade of “C” or higher
JCOM Critical Thinking 3 Minimum grade of “C” or higher Communication Intensive (CI)   3  
Communication Intensive (CI)   3   Elective Course 3  
Upper-Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
Upper-Elective Course 3   Upper-Elective Course 3  
Comments

 

Comments

 

 

Foundations (Required Courses) (18 credits)


These courses are intended to provide the underlying skills and knowledge required for professional communications and are required for all students enrolled in the Journalism and Communication - BA, BS program. A minimum grade of “C” or higher is required with the exception of JCOM 1130 JCOM 1500 , and JCOM 2010  which require a minimum grade of “C”+ or higher.

Writing (3 credits)


The ability to write with accuracy, brevity, and clarity — and do so in accordance with industry and project-specific standards — is essential for all professional communicators. Every student enrolled in the Journalism and Communication - BA, BS program must take at least three credits from these courses. A minimum grade of “C” or higher is required.

Critical Thinking (9 credits)


Theory, history, context, and ethics are essential building blocks for the practice of professional communication in a rapidly changing world. Every student enrolled in the Journalism and Communication - BA, BS program must take at least nine credits from these courses. A minimum grade of “C” or higher is required.

Professional Application (9 credits)


Journalism and communication are professional crafts, the mastery of which require real-world practice. Every student enrolled in the Journalism and Communication - BA, BS program must take at least nine credits from these courses. A minimum grade of “C” or higher is required.

Deep Exploration (Elective Courses) (3 credits)


It is the intention of the Department of Journalism and Communication to provide students with opportunities to follow their interests, aptitudes, and passions. Any three credits with a JCOM prefix, including internships, may be used to fulfill this requirement. A course may only be taken once and is not repeatable for the major requirements. Students are enthusiastically encouraged to pursue additional credits as their time, resources, and needs allow, particularly in consultation with their advisers and professors.

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