Journalism

Specific objectives are to:                        

1. Prepare students for professional careers in the media.

2. Instill in students a high degree of professionalism, which consists principally of practical competence and ethical understanding.

3. Enhance students' understanding of the role of the news media in a democratic society.

Prospective majors take no more than 15 hours in the major before admission. Students must meet the following requirements for admission:

1. Completion of a minimum of 24 hours of course work applicable to a baccalaureate degree;

2. A minimum overall grade point average of 2.5;

3. Completion of ENG 100 with a grade of “C” or better and nine additional hours in the Colonnade Program;

4. Completion of the following courses with a grade of “C” or better: SJB 101, 102 and JOUR 202.

Students not meeting the above admission requirements will not be admitted to an SMC major and cannot register for any additional courses in the major.

The major in journalism requires 42 semester hours and leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree. No course with a grade of "D" or below can be counted toward the major or fulfill prerequisite requirements. One-half of the hours in the major must be at the 300- or 400-level. In addition to meeting institutional requirements for graduation, the Journalism Major must have a minor or second major, or certificate. 

The minor in journalism writing requires a minimum of 21 hours. Students pursing the minor can gain valuable knowledge and skills in professional media writing and journalistic storytelling. Half the hours in the minor must be 300- or 400-level courses.