Journalism and Communication - BA, BS

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College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of Journalism and Communication

About This Degree

The Department of Journalism and Communication (JCOM) prepares students for careers in a wide range of communication fields. Students develop knowledge and skills in such areas as information gathering, writing, video production, online journalism, and media literacy.

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.

Students receive a by completing all required courses in the major. To receive a BA, students must also gain proficiency in one or more foreign languages.

For more information about Journalism and Communication, see the department website.
Admitted and current students must meet with an academic advisor.
Log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
The highest Math Requirement for this degree is: STAT 1040 Introduction to Statistics (QL) or STAT 1045 Introduction to Statistics with Elements of Algebra (QL) or STAT 1080 - Foundations of Data Science (QL) .

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits: 120
Credits of C- or better: 100
Total credits taken through USU: 30
Total major required credits taken at USU: 10
Minimum Grade Point Average (many majors require a higher GPA): 2.0 GPA
Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above): 40
Upper-division credits taken at USU: 20
General Education Requirements
University Studies Requirements
Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements For This Program

New freshmen must be admitted to USU in Good Standing.
Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU must have a 2.50 GPA.

Major Requirements (42 credits)

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.

JCOM 1130 - Media Writing 3 credit(s) (a minimum grade of “C+” or higher)
JCOM 1500 - Introduction to Mass Communication (BSS) 3 credit(s) (a minimum grade of “C+” or higher)
JCOM 2010 - Media Literacy (BSS) 3 credit(s) (a minimum grade of “C+” or higher)
JCOM 2020 - Communication Research Methods (QI) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 2030 - Multimedia 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4030 - Mass Media Law (DSS) 3 credit(s)

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.

JCOM 1720 - Writing for Broadcast 3 credit(s)
JCOM 3110 - Feature Writing (CI) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 3140 - Opinion Writing (DSS) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 3200 - Writing for Electronic Media 3 credit(s)
JCOM 3310 - Writing for Public Relations (CI) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4750 - Special Topics: Advanced Writing for Professional Communicators 3 credit(s)

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.

JCOM 1510 - Introduction to Broadcasting 3 credit(s)
JCOM 1660 - Introduction to Television 3 credit(s)
JCOM 2160 - Introduction to Online Journalism 3 credit(s)
JCOM 2220 - Introduction to Video Media 3 credit(s)
JCOM 2300 - Introduction to Public Relations 3 credit(s)
JCOM 2400 - Introduction to Social Media 3 credit(s)
JCOM 2977 - Cooperative Education 1-3 credit(s)
JCOM 2988 - Special Problems 1-3 credit(s)
JCOM 3030 - Corporate Communications 3 credit(s)
JCOM 3050 - Technical and Professional Communication Principles (CI) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 3320 - Strategic Research Methods in Public Relations (DSS) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 3410 - Film as Cultural Communication (DSS) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4010 - Mass Communication Ethics (DSS) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4020 - Mass Media and Society (DSS) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4130 - Immersive Crisis Communication 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4300 - Integrated Marketing Communication 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4400 - Mass Media Criticism 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4410 - Gender and the Mass Media 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4520 - Senior Thesis 1-3 credit(s)
JCOM 4760 - Special Topics: Advanced Critical Thought in Media 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5010 - Mass Media Historiography 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5020 - Mass Communication Theory 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5030 - International Communications Problems 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5300 - Case Studies in Public Relations (CI) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5420 - The Mass Media and Politics 3 credit(s)
JCOM 6000 - Introduction to Graduate Study in Mass Communication 3 credit(s)
JCOM 6010 - Mass Media Historiography 3 credit(s)
JCOM 6020 - Mass Communication Theory 3 credit(s)
JCOM 6030 - International Communications Problems 3 credit(s)
JCOM 6040 - Seminar in Mass Media Research Methods 3 credit(s)
JCOM 6050 - Seminar in Mass Media Issues and Problems 3 credit(s)
JCOM 6300 - Case Studies in Public Relations 3 credit(s)

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.

JCOM 1040 - Newspaper Production I 3 credit(s)
JCOM 1050 - Newspaper Production II 3 credit(s)
JCOM 1560 - Radio Production I 3 credit(s)
JCOM 1800 - Communication Graphics 3 credit(s)
JCOM 2070 - Newspaper Production III 3 credit(s)
JCOM 2080 - Newspaper Production IV 3 credit(s)
JCOM 2180 - Beginning Photojournalism 3 credit(s)
JCOM 2560 - Radio Production III 1-3 credit(s)
JCOM 2660 - Television Practicum 1-3 credit(s)
JCOM 3090 - Graphic Design in Agriculture and Media Industries 3 credit(s)
JCOM 3100 - Reporting Public Affairs (CI) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 3120 - Editing and Design (CI) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4040 - Social Media Content Development 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4100 - Hard News Café 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4110 - Investigative Journalism (CI) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4120 - Sports Reporting (CI) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4150 - Advanced Digital Photojournalism 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4210 - Newscast I (CI) 6 credit(s)
JCOM 4220 - Newscast II (CI) 6 credit(s)
JCOM 4230 - Corporate Video 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4340 - Event Planning and Manager Communications 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4770 - Special Topics: Advanced Professional Experiences in Media 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5110 - Literary Journalism (CI) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5210 - Website Design and Production 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5220 - Advanced Video Production 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5230 - Advanced Video Documentary Production 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5310 - Mass Media Management 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5320 - Public Relations Agency 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5400 - Social Media Analytics and Client Management 3 credit(s)
JCOM 6110 - Literary Journalism 3 credit(s)
JCOM 6210 - Website Design and Production 3 credit(s)
JCOM 6220 - Advanced Video Production 3 credit(s)

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.

JCOM 1040 - Newspaper Production I 3 credit(s)
JCOM 1050 - Newspaper Production II 3 credit(s)
JCOM 1510 - Introduction to Broadcasting 3 credit(s)
JCOM 1560 - Radio Production I 3 credit(s)
JCOM 1660 - Introduction to Television 3 credit(s)
JCOM 1720 - Writing for Broadcast 3 credit(s)
JCOM 1800 - Communication Graphics 3 credit(s)
JCOM 2070 - Newspaper Production III 3 credit(s)
JCOM 2080 - Newspaper Production IV 3 credit(s)
JCOM 2160 - Introduction to Online Journalism 3 credit(s)
JCOM 2180 - Beginning Photojournalism 3 credit(s)
JCOM 2220 - Introduction to Video Media 3 credit(s)
JCOM 2300 - Introduction to Public Relations 3 credit(s)
JCOM 2400 - Introduction to Social Media 3 credit(s)
JCOM 2560 - Radio Production III 1-3 credit(s)
JCOM 2660 - Television Practicum 1-3 credit(s)
JCOM 2977 - Cooperative Education 1-3 credit(s)
JCOM 2988 - Special Problems 1-3 credit(s)
JCOM 3030 - Corporate Communications 3 credit(s)
JCOM 3050 - Technical and Professional Communication Principles (CI) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 3090 - Graphic Design in Agriculture and Media Industries 3 credit(s)
JCOM 3100 - Reporting Public Affairs (CI) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 3110 - Feature Writing (CI) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 3120 - Editing and Design (CI) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 3140 - Opinion Writing (DSS) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 3200 - Writing for Electronic Media 3 credit(s)
JCOM 3310 - Writing for Public Relations (CI) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 3320 - Strategic Research Methods in Public Relations (DSS) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 3410 - Film as Cultural Communication (DSS) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4010 - Mass Communication Ethics (DSS) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4020 - Mass Media and Society (DSS) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4040 - Social Media Content Development 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4100 - Hard News Café 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4110 - Investigative Journalism (CI) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4120 - Sports Reporting (CI) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4130 - Immersive Crisis Communication 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4150 - Advanced Digital Photojournalism 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4210 - Newscast I (CI) 6 credit(s)
JCOM 4220 - Newscast II (CI) 6 credit(s)
JCOM 4230 - Corporate Video 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4300 - Integrated Marketing Communication 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4340 - Event Planning and Manager Communications 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4400 - Mass Media Criticism 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4410 - Gender and the Mass Media 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4500 - Projects in Communication 1-5 credit(s)
JCOM 4510 - Communication Internship 1-3 credit(s)
JCOM 4520 - Senior Thesis 1-3 credit(s)
JCOM 4530 - Special Topics in Communication 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4750 - Special Topics: Advanced Writing for Professional Communicators 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4760 - Special Topics: Advanced Critical Thought in Media 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4770 - Special Topics: Advanced Professional Experiences in Media 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5010 - Mass Media Historiography 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5020 - Mass Communication Theory 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5030 - International Communications Problems 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5110 - Literary Journalism (CI) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5210 - Website Design and Production 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5220 - Advanced Video Production 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5230 - Advanced Video Documentary Production 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5300 - Case Studies in Public Relations (CI) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5310 - Mass Media Management 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5320 - Public Relations Agency 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5400 - Social Media Analytics and Client Management 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5420 - The Mass Media and Politics 3 credit(s)
JCOM 6000 - Introduction to Graduate Study in Mass Communication 3 credit(s)
JCOM 6010 - Mass Media Historiography 3 credit(s)
JCOM 6020 - Mass Communication Theory 3 credit(s)
JCOM 6030 - International Communications Problems 3 credit(s)
JCOM 6040 - Seminar in Mass Media Research Methods 3 credit(s)
JCOM 6050 - Seminar in Mass Media Issues and Problems 3 credit(s)
JCOM 6110 - Literary Journalism 3 credit(s)
JCOM 6210 - Website Design and Production 3 credit(s)
JCOM 6220 - Advanced Video Production 3 credit(s)
JCOM 6230 - Advanced Video Documentary Production 3 credit(s)
JCOM 6300 - Case Studies in Public Relations 3 credit(s)

Open Electives

Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your Academic Advisor for details.

Total Credits: 120

Suggested Degree Map - Journalism and Communication BA, BS

Journalism and Communication BA, BS - 4 Year Degree Map