Curriculum

The following courses are required of all journalism majors and are taken concurrently with those in one of the sequences.

Core Courses

• COM CO 201 Introduction to Communication Writing (prereq for 
JO 307)
• COM JO 307 Newswriting and Reporting I (prereq for JO 308 and JO 351)
• COM JO 357 History and Principles 
of Journalism
• COM JO 525 Media Law and Ethics

Sequence Requirements

In addition to the courses listed above, all journalism students complete the courses indicated for one of the following sequences:

Magazine

• COM JO 308 Newswriting and Reporting II (prereq for JO 309)
• COM JO 309 Feature Writing
• COM JO 403 Magazine Writing and Editing

and one of the following:

• COM JO 408 Magazine Workshop
• COM JO 301 Production and Design
• COM JO 540 Online Journalism
• COM JO 508 Electronic Copy Editing

Develop remainder of program in consultation with advisor.

News-Editorial (All 3 courses are required)

• COM JO 308 Newswriting and Reporting II (prereq for JO 309)
• COM JO 309 Feature Writing
• COM JO 503 Journalism Research

A minimum of 24 journalism credits required. Develop remainder of program with advisor.

Photojournalism

• COM JO 305 Basic Photography
• COM JO 308 Newswriting and Reporting II
• COM JO 312 Photojournalism I
• COM JO 513 Advanced Photojournalism
• COM JO 515 Photo Editing

Develop remainder of program in consultation with advisor.

Broadcast Journalism

• COM JO 351 Writing and Reporting for Broadcast News
• COM JO 431 Enterprise Reporting or
  COM JO 519 Narrative Radio or
  COM FT 560 The Documentary (with permission of advisor and instructor)
• COM JO 451 Television Newsroom or
  COM JO 435 Radio Newsroom

A minimum of two additional journalism electives selected in consultation with advisor.

Note: Each journalism major must satisfy a concentration requirement by completing five related courses at the 300-level or higher.

• A combination of three of these concentration courses and a maximum of two related 300-level or above courses approved by your faculty advisor by petition as acceptable material related to your concentration. Approval must be noted in a petition signed by the Journalism Department Chair in student file.
• For a language concentration, 200-level courses are accepted for the five-course requirement. 200-level literature and culture courses are not accepted toward the concentration. Foreign language concentrations may begin at the third semester of the language if the student is continuing the language with which they satisfied the foreign language requirement. Students may begin a new langue and devote five courses total to a CAS concentration.
• For student pursuing a minor in their concentration, 100-and 200-level courses can be used to satisfy the five-course requirement.
• Also, as a good general rule, students wanting several SMG or CFA courses should plan to use their electives to get desired courses in those areas rather than trying to substitute these for their CAS concentration. The appropriate level and grouping are .determined with the assistance of your faculty advisor.

Internship Program

In conjunction with New England publishers, agencies, and broadcasters, the department has developed an extensive internship program for print, photo, and broadcast journalism majors.

Internships for superior undergraduates can be arranged with the publishers of weekly and daily newspapers and magazines as well as radio, television, and cable news and public affairs programs. When possible, the student selects a publication within his or her field of specialization. Students may intern either part time during a regular semester or full time over the summer. For more details, see the course description for COM JO 412 or COM JO 413.

Internships are also available year-round to broadcast journalism students at both public and commercial radio and television stations, and at Internet news organizations.

All candidates for internships with credit must have junior standing. All broadcast journalism internship candidates must have junior standing, be enrolled in or have completed COM JO 351, and have a 3.0 grade point average in their COM courses.

Professional Requirements

Journalism students are required to demonstrate reporting skills and competence as writers.

Degree Requirements

Candidates for the basic Master of Science degree in Journalism must complete 48 graduate semester credits.

In addition, each student must submit a professional project or thesis that, in the judgment of the faculty, makes an original contribution to the study of mass communication. Students have three options: a professional project of 5,000 words that demonstrates substantial accomplishment in original reporting for newspapers; two nonfiction, professional-quality magazine articles, each approximately 2,500 words long; or a series of related reports published or suitable for newspaper publication totaling 3,500 words. Students choosing the professional project must submit their pieces by the department deadline. Substantial rewriting is usually required.

A career in journalism requires a wide range of skills, superior training, and considerable dedication. Accordingly, the Journalism Program upholds the highest standards of excellence in teaching and student performance.

Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average each semester, in addition to earning a minimum grade of B – in COM JO 721 Journalism Principles and Techniques and COM JO 722 Advanced Journalism Seminar, to continue in the program. Any student failing to meet either of these standards will be dropped from the program, although the requirement may be waived by the chair of the department and designated faculty members. In such cases, the student is considered to be on probation, and any subsequent failure to achieve the mandatory academic standards will result in dismissal without review.

The Department of Journalism places a great emphasis on student performance in COM JO 721 Journalism Principles and Techniques and COM JO 722 Advanced Journalism Seminar, the most intensive writing and reporting laboratory courses in the core curriculum. They challenge the student under real-life pressures and deadlines and are therefore excellent indicators of his or her pre-professional ability and suitability for the working newsroom.

Journalism Curriculum

General Assignment Concentration

Students who focus their MS degree broadly by choosing general assignment journalism will be expected to complete 12 courses (48 credits) designed to achieve three major goals: 1. mastery of the basics of journalism and a full understanding of the history, principles, ethics, laws, and practices of the profession; 2. working knowledge of several of the mainstream specialties in journalism; and 3. the ability to work in more than one format or medium.

Core Requirements (4)

• COM JO 525 Media Law & Ethics
• COM JO 721 Journalism Principles and Techniques
• COM JO 722 Advanced Journalism Seminar

Choose one from the following:

• COM JO 503 Journalism Research or
  COM JO 807 Advanced Journalism Research

Subject Area Requirements

Choose three from the following:

• COM JO 501 Intro to Business and Economics Reporting
• COM JO 516 Foreign Reporting
• COM JO 545 Reporting Military Affairs
• COM JO 514 Sports Journalism
• COM JO 535 Investigative and Project Reporting
• COM JO 724 Science Newswriting II
• COM JO 502 Political Reporting (Washington)
• COM JO 737 JO Internship
• COM JO 954 Washington Newsroom (8 credit)
• COM JO 511 Covering Politics (Statehouse)
• COM JO 546 Filing for Newspapers (Statehouse) (8 credits)

Format Requirements

Choose three from the following:

• COM JO 506 Writing Columns and Editorials
• COM JO 513 Advanced Photojournalism
• COM JO 534 Broadcast News for Non-Majors
• COM JO 540 Online Journalism
• COM JO 538 Feature Writing
• COM JO 519 Narrative Radio

Electives

Choose two from the following:

• COM JO 535 Investigative and Project Reporting
• COM JO 506 Columns and Editorials
• COM JO 502 Special Topics–Profile Writing
• COM JO 504 Arts Criticism
• COM JO 509 Literary Journalism
• COM JO 703 Magazine Writing

International Reporting Concentration

Students pursuing a MS degree in journalism with an international reporting concentration are generally preparing for assignments as foreign correspondents. Students will be expected to take 12 courses for a total of 48 credits. Preparation includes: 1. mastery of the basics of journalism and an understanding of the history, principles, ethics, laws, and practices of the profession; 2. depth in this chosen area of expertise—possibly language skills and two or more courses focused on a region, country, or topic area such as Third World Development, Islam, or international terrorism; 3. the ability to work in more than one format.

Core Requirements (4)

• COM JO 525 Media Law & Ethics
• COM JO 721 Journalism Principles and Techniques
• COM JO 722 Advanced Journalism Seminar

Choose one from the following:

• COM JO 503 Journalism Research or
• COM JO 807 Advanced Journalism Research

Subject Area Requirements: (4 or 5)

• COM JO 516 Foreign Reporting (Required)

Choose three or four of the following:

• COM JO 545 Reporting Military Affairs
• COM JO 501 Introduction to Business and Economics Reporting
• COM CM 831 International Communication (Alternative to London)
• CAS-IR (Regional or Topical Courses) (A CAS economics class can substitute for an IR course.)
• CAS-IR (Regional or Topical Courses)
• CAS-IR (Regional or Topical Courses)

Format Requirements

Choose one or two from the following:

• COM JO 506 Writing Columns and Editorials
• COM JO 513 Advanced Photojournalism
• COM JO 534 Broadcast News for Non-Majors
• COM JO 540 Online Journalism
• COM JO 703 Magazine Writing

Electives

Choose two from the following:

• COM JO 500 Media Criticism
• COM JO 502 Special Topics—Profile Writing
• COM JO 509 Literary Journalism
• COM JO 514 Sports Journalism
• COM JO 535 Investigative and Project Reporting
• COM JO 724 Science Newswriting II

London Summer Course (done in 1st and 2nd sessions)

• COM CM 744 International Mass Media I (Subs for IR course)
• COM CM 745 Comparative Political Systems I (Subs for IR course)
• COM JO 737 Reporting on Britain II (Subs for IR course)

London students must do all JO core courses and three concentration courses, plus at least one format course.

Political Reporting Concentration

Students who would prefer to use their MS degree on political reporting will be expected to complete 12 courses (48 credits) designed to achieve three major goals: 1. mastery of the basics of journalism and a full understanding of the history, principles, ethics, laws, and practices of the profession; 2. working knowledge of political reporting; and 3. the ability to work in more than one format or medium.

Core Requirements (3)

• COM JO 525 Media Law & Ethics
• COM JO 721 Journalism Principles and Techniques

Choose one from the following:

• COM JO 503 Journalism Basic Research Methods or
  COM JO 807 Advanced Journalism Research
  

Subject Area Requirements:

Washington

• COM JO 502 Political Reporting
• COM JO 737 Internship
• COM JO 954 Washington Newsroom (8 credits)

Plus

One subject-area CAS-Pol elective or

Statehouse

• COM JO 511 Covering Politics
• COM JO 546 Filing for Newspapers (8 credits)

Plus

Two subject-area CAS-Pol electives

Format Requirements

Choose one or two from the following:

• COM JO 513 Advanced Photojournalism
• COM JO 519 Advanced Radio
• COM JO 534 Broadcast News for Non-Majors
• COM JO 538 Feature Writing
• COM JO 540 Online Journalism

Other Print Electives

Choose two or three from the following:

• COM JO 500 Media Criticism
• COM JO 502 Special Topics—Profile Writing
• COM JO 506 Writing Columns and Editorials
• COM JO 516 Foreign Reporting
• COM JO 535 Investigative and Project Reporting
• COM JO 545 Reporting Military Affairs
• COM JO 724 Science Newswriting II

Magazine Concentration

Students who focus their MS degree on magazine journalism will be expected to complete 12 courses (48 credits) designed to achieve three major goals: 1. mastery of the basics of journalism and a full understanding of the history, principles, ethics, laws, and practices of the profession; 2. working knowledge of major elements of writing for magazines; and 3. the ability to work in more than one format or medium.

Core Requirements (4)

• COM JO 525 Media Law & Ethics
• COM JO 721 Journalism Principles and Techniques
• COM JO 722 Advanced Journalism Seminar

Choose one from the following:

• COM JO 503 Journalism Research or
• COM JO 807 Advanced Journalism Research

Concentration Courses. Choose Five of the Following:

• COM JO 500 Media Criticism
• COM JO 502 Special Topics—Profile Writing or
• COM JO 538 Feature Writing
• COM JO 509 Literary Criticism or
• COM JO 703 Magazine Writing
• COM JO 535 Investigative and Project Reporting
• COM JO 718 Magazine Workshop

Format Requirements

Choose one of the following:

• COM JO 506 Writing Columns and Editorials
• COM JO 513 Advanced Photojournalism
• COM JO 519 Nararative Radio
• COM JO 534 Broadcast News for Non-Majors
• COM JO 540 Online Journalism
• COM JO 703 Magazine Writing

Electives

Choose two of the following:

• COM JO 500 Media Criticism
• COM JO 501 Intro to Business and Economics Reporting
• COM JO 511 Covering Politics
• COM JO 514 Sports Journalism
• COM JO 516 Foreign Reporting
• COM JO 545 Reporting Military Affairs
• COM JO 724 Science Newswriting II
• COM JO 737 Internship
• COM JO 504 Arts Criticism

Sports Reporting Concentration

The MS degree concentration in sports reporting in print journalism is designed to provide students journalistic skills, a deeper understanding of sports in societal context, and to give them as well some experience working in more than one format. Students are also encouraged to use at least one elective to explore other journalistic topics from a rich menu of courses offered. Students must take 12 courses for a total of 48 credits.

Core Requirements (4)

• COM JO 514 Sports Journalism
• COM JO 525 Media Law and Ethics
• COM JO 721 Journalism Principles and Techniques
• COM JO 722 Advanced Journalism Seminar

Subject Area Requirements (4)

• COM JO 532 Sports Journalism Seminar
• SED HM 510 Sports Psychology or
  SED HM 710 Sport Theory in Social Systems (If these classes are not available during a semester, other courses maybe substituted by approved petition.)
• COM JO 737 Journalism Internship
• COM CM 536 Sports Communication (If these classes are not available during a semester, other courses maybe substituted by approved petition.)

Format Requirements

Choose two from the following:

• COM JO 513 Advanced Photojournalism
• COM JO 519 Narrative Radio
• COM JO 524 Sports Broadcast Journalism
• COM JO 534 Broadcast News for Non-Majors
• COM JO 540 Online Journalism
• COM JO 703 Magazine Writing
• COM JO 506 Writing Columns and Editorials
• COM JO 707 Writing/Reporting for Broadcast News

Electives

Choose two from the following:

• COM JO 501 Intro to Business and Economics Reporting
• COM JO 516 Foreign Reporting
• COM JO 535 Investigative and Project Reporting
• COM JO 705 Science and the Mass Media

Consult the catalogue and schedules for other options

Electives

Students select electives from 500-level or above courses in the College. Students who have strong interests in a special field are sometimes permitted to substitute a course in their area of interest from graduate-level courses in other schools and colleges of the University.

With the approval of their advisors, graduate students in the Journalism Program may also receive credit for appropriate 300-level courses.

Photojournalism Sequence

Graduate study in photojournalism provides students the opportunity to pursue intensive work in photography and multimedia. The program curriculum requires students to acquire skills in the full range of media, including online, writing, video, and audio in addition to photography. These skills are then put to practical use in the creation of photo stories and multimedia productions.
To gain admission to the master’s degree program, students must submit a portfolio of 20 photographs or an equivalent multimedia production in addition to the standard application materials. These materials may be submitted on disc, online, or in print, and should represent the best of the applicant’s recent work. If a student’s portfolio does not meet admission standards, the student may take COM JO 305 Basic Photography as a prerequisite, but not for graduate credit.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science degree in journalism with a specialization in photojournalism is a one-year program requiring completion of a minimum of 8 courses or 32 graduate semester hours of coursework. In addition, the student is required to produce a thesis-length creative project that meets professional publication standards.

Photojournalism Curriculum

First Semester

• COM JO 513 Advanced Photojournalism
• COM JO 515 Photo Editing
• COM JO 525 Media Law and Ethics
• COM JO 721 Journalism Principles and Techniques

Second Semester

• COM JO 537 Digital Fundamentals
• COM JO 522 Professional Portfolio

Electives—Other Areas of Interest

Choose two from the following:

• COM JO 534 Broadcast for Non-Majors
• COM JO 540 Online Journalism
• COM JO 538 Feature Writing
• COM JO 722 Advanced Journalism Seminar
• COM JO 703 Magazine Writing
• COM FT 527 Lighting