Journalism Track

Journalism Student Writing in Journal

The Journalism track of the Communication major will educate, train, and prepare you to engage in journalism as a responsible human behavior, and help you to engage the culture and change the world through thoughtful and faithful use of your creative gifts. The Journalism track provides you with many opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom, to develop your written and oral communication skills, explore your values, and acquire techniques of insight and critical reasoning.

Benefits

The Journalism track of Seattle Pacific’s Communication major is designed to prepare you for placement in the culture-shaping world of journalism. If you decide to continue your studies beyond graduation, the Journalism track also serves as a strong framework for graduate school in any number of fields of study.

Additionally, the skills you will hone as a Communication major — self-knowledge, interpersonal communication, social interaction, presentation of self, personal discipline, risk-taking, cooperative group effort, sensitivity to others, and more — are important to many career applications besides those allied specifically with journalism or communication.

Major Courses and Degree Requirements

In general, if you are a Communication major in the Journalism track, you are required to fulfill the following requirements:

  • Earn a minimum of 58 credits in Communication and Journalism courses, with a minimum of 25 upper-division credits.
  • Demonstrate a growing ability in communication criticism, artistic awareness, and personal communication skills.
  • Successfully complete at least 3 credits in newspaper production, a publication editor practicum, and/or a journalism internship.

    View the Journalism track requirements.

Career Opportunities

  • Art Director (Film, Radio, TV)
  • Banking
  • Beat Reporter
  • Blog Writer
  • Book Editor
  • Book Reviewer
  • Business Writer
  • Campaign Manager
  • Columnist
  • Copywriter
  • Corporate Communications Manager
  • Director of Photography
  • Editor
  • Employment Interviewer
  • Film Editor
  • Entertainer
  • Missionary
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Intercultural Communications Specialist
  • Investigative Journalist
  • Marketing Manager
  • News Analyst
  • Proofreader
  • Public Relations Specialist/Manager
  • Radio or Television Announcer
  • Recruiter
  • Reporter
  • Salesperson
  • Speechwriter
  • Sports Announcer
  • Telecommunications Specialist
  • Technical Writer
  • Theatre and Film Critic
  • Writer

Entering the Major

You may enter the major during your first quarter at SPU. Entrance after your first quarter requires only good academic standing (2.0 or higher SPU cumulative GPA). Consult the undergraduate catalog for complete information on how and when to enter and what you must do to complete the program.   


Request More Info
Request More Info
Apply to SPU Now
Apply to SPU Now

SPU Student Newspaper The Falcon

The Falcon: SPU’s Independent Student Newspaper

The Falcon is a student-run newspaper that strives to provide relevant news and commentary for Seattle Pacific University’s students, faculty and staff. We are committed to truthful and accurate reporting by honest and ethical means.

Read it online
Rick Jackson Teaching

Why I Teach at SPU

Rick Jackson, Assistant Professor of Journalism

“I teach at SPU because I cherish working in an environment that encourages constant reflection on what it means to live as a Christian amid a media landscape that is in perpetual transformation. Therefore, we can have an ongoing conversation on faith and practice that, in the words of reconciliation scholar John Paul Lederach, has its ‘head in the clouds and feet on the ground.’”