Mar 28, 2024  
2013-2014 General Catalog (Summer, Fall 2013) 
    
2013-2014 General Catalog (Summer, Fall 2013) ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Journalism - BS


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College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of Journalism and Communication

Students must complete the General Education Requirements :

Students must also complete the University Studies Depth Requirements :

  • Two courses having CI designation (such as JCOM 3100 ,  ,   ,JCOM 3310 ,  ,   and  ) will fulfill the Communications Intensive (CI) requirement
  • Complete at least 2 credits in approved 3000-level or above courses from each of the following two categories:Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA) and Life and Physical Sciences (DSC)

 

Course Requirements


Journalism majors must complete a minimum of 30 credits and a maximum of 36 credits (38 for Broadcast/Electronic Media emphasis) in Journalism and Communication courses, while pursuing one of the three course sequences outlined below. In addition, majors must complete a minor/cognate area outside of the Journalism and Communication Department, selected with the approval of an advisor.

Therefore, the basic Journalism course of study is as follows: Journalism and Communication courses, 30-36 credits; General Education requirements, 27-31 credits; Depth Education requirements, 15 credits; courses in the minor/cognate area, 12-18 credits;  electives from outside the Journalism and Communication Department, 17-33 credits; Total Credits, 120.

Journalism Major


Major Status

Students may apply for major status upon completion of a minimum of the Journalism Premajor Core and General Education requirements, while maintaining a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Students may declare themselves as Journalism Premajors at any time after their admission to the University. Majors must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA, both overall and in the major. Students whose GPA drops below 2.5 will be placed on probation and may be dropped from the major if grades do not improve within one semester. All courses in the major must be taken for a grade (not Pass-Fail). Courses must be taken in sequence.

Students transferring from other institutions may be accepted into the major if they fulfill these requirements. Up to 9 transferred semester credits may count toward the major, if approved by an advisor.

The Department of Journalism and Communication allows students to take a class a maximum of two times. Failure to achieve the Journalism and Communication Department’s minimum grade of C+ in two attempts in any of the four premajor core classes, or a minimum grade of C in any other JCOM course required for the major, will result in the student being dropped from the Journalism major.

Students must complete the premajor core with a C+ or better before continuing in the Journalism major. Students lacking the minimum grades in the premajor core will be blocked from taking courses in the Broadcast/Electronic Media, Print Journalism, and Public Relations/Corporate Communications emphases.

Premajor Core Requirement (12 credits)


The following courses are required for all majors, and must be completed prior to application for major status:

Note:


Prior to taking JCOM 1130 , students must complete ENGL 1010 , Introduction to Writing (or equivalent) and a departmental English proficiency test. Majors must complete each of the premajor requirements with a C+ or better.

Major Requirements (6 credits)


The following courses are required for all majors after acceptance into the department:

Emphasis Areas


Students must select one of the following emphasis areas:

Broadcast/Electronic Media Emphasis (30-38 credits)


Minimum GPA for Admission: 2.5, Career
Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.5, major courses; 2.5 USU; 2.5, Career
Minimum Grade Accepted: C in major courses; C+ in JCOM 1130 , JCOM 1500 , JCOM 2010  and 

 

A. Premajor Core Requirements (12 credits)

Journalism majors must complete the Premajor Core Requirements before taking courses in section B below.

B. Broadcast/Electronic Media Requirements (20 credits)

C. Communication Electives (up to 6 credits)

Students should consult with their advisor to choose appropriate electives.

Print Journalism Emphasis (30-36 credits)


Minimum GPA for Admission: 2.5, Career
Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.5, major courses; 2.5 USU; 2.5, Career
Minimum Grade Accepted: C in major courses; C+ in JCOM 1130 , JCOM 1500 , JCOM 2010  and

 

A. Premajor Core Requirements (12 credits)

Journalism majors must complete the Premajor Core Requirements before taking courses in section B below.

C. Communication Electives (3-9 credits)

Students should consult with their advisor to choose appropriate electives.

Public Relations/Corporate Communications Emphasis (30-36 credits)


Minimum GPA for Admission: 2.5, Career
Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.5, major courses; 2.5 USU; 2.5, Career
Minimum Grade Accepted: C in major courses; C+ in JCOM 1130 , JCOM 1500 , JCOM 2010  and

 

A. Premajor Core Requirements (12 credits)

Journalism majors must complete the Premajor Core Requirements before taking courses in section B below.

B. Required Courses (12 credits, may be taken concurrently)

C. Upper-division Required Courses (6 credits; must be taken in sequence after completion of JCOM 2300, JCOM 3310)

D. Electives (3-6 credits; at least 3 credits in skills course and 3 credits upper division. A 3-credit upper-division skills course meets all elective requirements.)

Other Communications Electives


In addition to the Pre-major, major, and emphasis area courses listed above, students must select additional electives from courses in the Department of Journalism and Communication, to ensure a total of 30-36 credits completed in the Journalism and Communication Department.

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

USU Credits (30 USU credits, 20 of which must be upper-division courses, 10 of which must be courses required for student’s major)

30 USU credits

Completion of approved major program of study

See college advisor

Credits in minor (if required)

12

Credits in American Institutions (ECN 1500 ;HIST 1700 , HIST 2700  or HIST 2710 ; HONR 1300 POLS 1100 ; or USU 1300 )

3

General Education Requirements  and University Studies Depth Requirements 

 

 

 

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