Bachelor of Arts in Journalism

The B.A. in Journalism prepares students for positions in media production, reporting, editing and design. There are two tracks, and students may major in journalism or sports information. The curriculum offers a blend of courses to support this goal. The coursework begins with basic photo, video, writing, reporting and visual literacy skills. These are then followed by courses that focus on design, and advanced reporting and writing projects. Those on the journalism studies track will take a series of electives and interdisciplinary courses, to build skills in interviewing, writing, social media and specialized journalism.

Other on-campus outlets for student writing and productions include The Jambar, Jambar TV, Rookery Radio, The Jenny, and Penguin Rundown. Internships and other writing opportunities are available at local media outlets including local TV, radio, and newspapers, such as The Business Journal, The Vindicator, and the Tribune Chronicle. 

COURSE TITLE S.H.
FIRST YEAR REQUIREMENT-STUDENT SUCCESS
YSU 1500Success Seminar1-2
or SS 1500 Strong Start Success Seminar
or HONR 1500 Intro to Honors
GENERAL EDUCATION
ENGL 1550Writing 13-4
or ENGL 1549 Writing 1 with Support
ENGL 1551Writing 23
CMST 1545Communication Foundations3
Mathematics Course *Any GE Approved Math course, MATH 2623/2623C recommended3
Arts and Humanities (6 SH)
JOUR 2603Journalism Ethics and Social Responsibilities *required for major3
GE: Arts & Humanities Course3
Natural Sciences (7 SH two courses are required, one science course must include a lab)7
Social Science (6 SH)
MCOM 1595 Media Literacy & Culture *required for major3
GE: Social Science Course3
Social and Personal Awareness (6 SH)
CMST 2610Intercultural Communication *required for major3
GE: Social & Personal Awareness Course3
Foreign Language Requirement
FNLG 1550Elementary Foreign Language4
FNLG 2600Intermediate Foreign Language4
REQUIRED SUPPORT COURSES
CMST 1500Exploring Communication3
CMST 3790Personal Brand Communication3
MCOM 2624Communication Technology - Photo and Video3
MCOM 2625Communication Technologies: Aesthetics and Design3
MCOM 3726American Media: History, Principles and Practices3
Required Major Courses
MCOM 3780Presentational Literacy3
JOUR 2602Media Writing3
JOUR 3725News Reporting3
JOUR 3721LNews Content Creation 13
JOUR 3731LNews Content Creation 23
JOUR 4824Communication Law3
OPTIONS SELECT ONE AREA Students will select 1 area of option : Editorial or Broadcast21
BROADCAST
Documentary Storytelling
Writing and Producing Television News
Foundations of Multicamera Production
Producing
Take 3 additional JOUR elective courses for 9 SH, 6 hours of which must be 3700-5800 level. Available electives are JOUR 2605, JOUR 2632, JOUR 3716, JOUR 3717, JOUR 3769, JOUR 4823, JOUR 4894
EDITORIAL
Magazine Publishing
Editorial and Opinion Writing
Advanced News Content Creation
Copyediting
Introduction to Public, Professional and Technical Writing
Take 3 JOUR elective courses for a total of 9 SH, 6 hours of which must be 3700-5800 level. Available electives are JOUR 2605, JOUR 2632, JOUR 3716, JOUR 3717, JOUR 3769, JOUR 3790, JOUR 4890, JOUR 4894
SEMINAR REQUIREMENT Choose one:
JOUR 4825Selected Topics in Journalism3
or MCOM 4897 Seminar in Telecommunication
SENIOR CAPSTONE
JOUR 4893Journalism Senior Project3
FREE ELECTIVES (12-14 SH) *hours will vary based upon what is needed to reach 12014
Students must complete a minimum 39 SH of upper-level (3000-5000) or above.
Total Semester Hours120-122
Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallS.H.
YSU 1500
Success Seminar
or Strong Start Success Seminar
or Intro to Honors
1-2
ENGL 1550
Writing 1
or Writing 1 with Support
3-4
CMST 1500 Exploring Communication 3
JOUR 2603 Journalism Ethics and Social Responsibilities *GE: Arts & Humanities 3
Mathematics *Any GE approved math, MATH 2623/2623C recommended 3
Free Elective Course 1
 Semester Hours14-16
Spring
ENGL 1551 Writing 2 3
CMST 1545 Communication Foundations 3
JOUR 2602 Media Writing 3
MCOM 1595 Media Literacy and Culture *GE: Social Science 3
GE: Natural Science 3
 Semester Hours15
Year 2
Fall
MCOM 2624 Communication Technology - Photo and Video 3
CMST 2610 Intercultural Communication 3
JOUR 3721L News Content Creation 1 3
GE: Arts & Humanities 3
FNLG 1550 Elementary Foreign Language 4
 Semester Hours16
Spring
CMST 3790 Personal Brand Communication 3
MCOM 2625 Communication Technologies: Aesthetics and Design 3
JOUR 3731L News Content Creation 2 3
GE: Social & Personal Awareness 3
FNLG 2600 Intermediate Foreign Language 4
 Semester Hours16
Year 3
Fall
MCOM 3726 American Media: History, Principles and Practices 3
JOUR 3725 News Reporting 3
Option Course 3
GE: Lab Science 4
Free Elective Course 3
 Semester Hours16
Spring
MCOM 3780 Presentational Literacy 3
Option Course 3
Option Course internship recommended 3
Option Course 3
Free Elective Course 3
 Semester Hours15
Year 4
Fall
JOUR 4825
Selected Topics in Journalism
or Seminar in Telecommunication
3
JOUR 4824 Communication Law 3
GE:Social Science 3
Option Course 3
Free Elective Course 1
 Semester Hours13
Spring
JOUR 4893 Journalism Senior Project 3
Option Course 3
Option Course 3
Free Elective Course 3
Free Elective Course 3
 Semester Hours15
 Total Semester Hours120-122

LO 1 Students will discover, implement and master ethical and legal newsgathering techniques.

LO 2 Students will create news copy for multiple media platforms that is accurate, well sourced and adheres to professional standards.

LO 3 Students will produce content for organizations that is consumed by audiences.

LO 4 Students will exercise first amendment and legal principles of journalism and information distribution.

LO 5 Students will use industry standard technology to create visual and interactive components that tell stories.