Journalism (BA)

Programs offered
  • Journalism (minor and track)

The Journalism major educates, trains, and prepares you to engage in a career in journalism. It provides many opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom, to develop written and oral communication skills, explore values, and acquire techniques of insight and critical reasoning. Emphasis is placed on mediated communication in public settings.

    Journalism (BA)

    VIEW DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

    • A minimum 72 credits are required for the Journalism major, including 30 upper-division credits.
    • The Journalism Core is 57 credits, including “Media Writing,” “Data Journalism,” and “Reporting and Storytelling.” 
    • During your junior and senior year, you will complete “Communication Seminar: Communication Technology,” “Media Law and Ethics,” and “Multimedia Journalism.”

    Journalism minor

    When you minor in Journalism, you will learn to use your communication skills in combination with a major such as business, political science, sociology, or any other major. Exploring journalism will develop your writing and speaking abilities.

    VIEW DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

    • A minimum 30 credits are required for this minor, including 15 upper-division credits.

    Entering and completing a major or minor in this department

    In order to earn a degree, you must complete at least one academic major. SPU encourages students to explore various academic paths, so if you change your mind about a major or minor, or want to include an additional program, you are able to do so, as outlined below.

    Note that the University encourages you to enter your chosen major(s) and minor(s) by the start of your junior year. Students who transfer as juniors and seniors should enter a major within their first two quarters at SPU.

    • If this is your first quarter at SPU and you identified a major in this department as your first choice on your application for admission to the University, you have gained entry to the major. To change or add a major or minor, follow these instructions.
    • If you are an SPU student with an SPU cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, follow these instructions to enter a major or minor in this department.
    • Students on academic probation (with an SPU cumulative GPA below 2.0) will not be permitted to enter a new major or minor until they regain good academic standing.
    • The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major or minor; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
    • To advance in this program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major or minor.
    • You must complete the major or minor requirements that are in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year you enter the major or minor.