Journalism, Public Relations Concentration, B.A.

The Journalism major prepares students for careers in digital media production, news, public relations, radio, media research and analysis and related fields. As early as freshmen year, students get hands-on learning producing content for our award-winning student media outlets The Lumberjack, El Leñador, Osprey magazine and KRFH radio station.

Our primary focus is on producing ethical media practitioners while teaching students how to think more critically about the media they consume and produce. Students learn ways to communicate information effectively and tell compelling stories across media technologies. They study the role of the media in society and learn how media industries shape culture and are affected by political and economic systems.

Our students graduate to become writers, reporters, editors, magazine executives, page designers, copy editors, photographers, radio show hosts, news anchors, directors, documentary producers, public relations representatives, advertising directors, sports information directors, sports writers, online editors, web designers, media entrepreneurs and more.

Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree requires a total of 120 units. Students must fulfill General Education & All-University Requirements , residency, unit, and GPA requirements as outlined in the Bachelor’s Degree Requirements . This major includes a Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) certified course.

Requirements for the Major (45 Units)

Core Courses (30 Units)

The following core courses are required for all journalism majors.

Lower Division

JMC 105 - Introduction to Mass Communication Units: 3
JMC 120 - Beginning Reporting Units: 3
JMC 107 - Media Tools: Literacy in Action Units: 3

Lower Division Experiential Learning Courses

Complete 6 units (each course may be used once to meet this requirement.)

JMC 134 - Photojournalism Units: 3
JMC 150 - Media Design Units: 3
JMC 154 - Radio and Audio Production Units: 3
JMC 155 - KRFH On Air Workshop Units: 1
JMC 156 - Video Production Units: 3
JMC 160 - El Leñador News Units: 2

Upper Division

JMC 327 - Lumberjack News Workshop Units: 2
JMC 328 - Media Law Units: 3
JMC 332W - Media Ethics Units: 3
JMC 480 - Special Topics Units: 3

Upper Division Experiential Learning Courses

Complete 4 units (each course may be used once to meet this requirement).

JMC 325 - Osprey Magazine Production Units: 2
JMC 333 - Radio News Workshop Units: 2
JMC 355 - Advanced KRFH On Air Workshop Units: 2
JMC 360 - Advanced El Leñador News Units: 2
JMC 427 - Advanced Lumberjack News Workshop Units: 2
JMC 482 - Media Internship Units: 1-3
JMC 490 - Seminar in Journalism Units: 1-4

Concentration Requirements (15 Units)

JMC 322 - Editing Units: 3
JMC 323 - Public Relations Units: 3
JMC 429 - Advanced Public Relations Units: 3

Upper Division Concentration Elective

Complete one of the following courses:

JMC 318 - Media Research Units: 3
JMC 354 - Media Advertising Units: 3
JMC 450 - Media Management and Entrepreneurship Units: 3

Upper Division Media Literacy Elective

Complete one of the following:

JMC 302 - Mass Media and Popular Arts Units: 3
JMC 305 - Global Media and Society Units: 3
JMC 306 - Mass Media History Units: 3
JMC 309 - Analyzing Media Messages Units: 3

Program Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program.

Demonstrate the ability to tell non-fiction stories using visual and audio tools and technologies.
Understand how media professionals, institutions, and industries produce and shape the news.
Acquire the knowledge of ethical principles related to mass media and public relations.
Demonstrate the ability to gather information from diverse sources, including data bases.
Demonstrate the ability to write clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences, and purposes they service.
Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy, fairness and clarity.
Acquire the knowledge of media laws and First Amendment rights and limitations.