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School of Journalism and New Media
University of Mississippi

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism Course Requirements

Description: The school provides a solid foundation of reporting, writing, editing, intellectual training, and vision necessary for today’s journalism. Degree candidates must complete an emphasis in either news-editorial journalism or in broadcast journalism. Students also may further specialize in magazine service journalism or in public relations.

General Education Course Requirements: The general education/core curriculum requirements for this program have a foundation in the liberal arts. The courses include 6 hours of English composition: Engl 101; Liba 102 or Engl 102; 6 hours of literature 200 level: Engl 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226; 9-12 hours (6 hours at the 200 level or above) of the same modern or ancient language: Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Latin, Ancient Greek; 3 hours of humanities to be chosen from African American Studies, Classical civilization, philosophy, religion, Southern Studies 101, 103, University Honors 101, 102, Gender Studies 103, 201, 311 390; 6 hours of social sciences: Pol 101 required for all journalism majors, anthropology, economics, psychology, political science, sociology; 3 hours of math: Math 115, 120, 121, 123, 125, 261, 267, 268; 6 hours of history; 9 hours of science: three science courses of which two must have labs, astronomy, physics, physical science, biology, chemistry, geology; 3 hours of fine arts: art history, Music 101, 102, 103, 104, 105; Dance 200; Theatre 201.

All journalism majors must also take 3 semester hours in a “method of inquiry” course selected from Math 115 (recommended),Phil 103, Pol 251, Psy 202, or 3 hours in a modern language at the 300 level (in which the primary language of instruction is not English).

Course Requirements: A major in journalism for the B.A.J. degree requires 36 semester hours of journalism courses, including a core of the following courses: Jour 101, 102, 301, 371, and 575. Students must complete either an emphasis in news-editorial journalism or in broadcast journalism, plus additional specialization or elective courses in journalism to satisfy the 36-hour requirement. Journalism majors may petition the dean of the school to take a maximum of 44 semester hours of journalism courses.

Other Academic Requirements: Students must take a minimum of 80 hours in courses outside the major, with no fewer than 65 hours in the liberal arts and sciences. A minimum grade of C is required in all Jour courses for students pursuing a major in journalism or a minor in mass media and communications. A student may not enroll in a Jour course until a minimum grade of C has been obtained in prerequisite courses.

Minimum total credit hours for degree: 124.

Broadcast Journalism Emphasis

Description: The broadcast journalism emphasis is designed for students pursuing a career in radio or television news.

Course Requirements: Students must complete the journalism core. The broadcast journalism emphasis consists of Jour 272, 376, 378 and 480.

News-editorial Journalism Emphasis

Description: The news-editorial emphasis is designed for students pursuing a news career in print.

Course Requirements: Students must complete the journalism core. The news-editorial journalism emphasis consists of Jour 271, 273, 375, 377, 379, and 472 or 475 or 477 or 577.

Specialization in Public Relations

Course Requirements: Students who wish to specialize in public relations also should take Jour 391 and 491 and are encouraged to take 492 and 574.

Specialization in Magazine Service Journalism

Course Requirements: Students who wish to specialize in magazine service journalism also should take Jour 401 and 501 and are encouraged to take Jour 553.

Minor in Mass Media and Communications

Course Requirements: A minor in journalism consists of 18 credit hours in the following required courses: Jour 102, 204 and four additional courses, three of which must be at the 300 level or above.