Journalism Emphasis

The journalism program is designed to prepare students for careers in the print media -- newspapers, magazines and, with the advent of the World Wide Web, online publications.

Students enrolled in the journalism sequence are provided a broad range of academic and applied training that prepares them for careers in the print media.
Those careers include:

• reporting
• editing
• publication and Web site design
• media management

Journalism students often supplement their academic training by working for PSU's award-winning publications -- the Collegio, the university's weekly, student newspaper, and the Kanza, the campus yearbook. Both publications operate independently from the department, but one of our faculty members sits on the Joint University Student Publications Board. Students in the journalism sequence may work for either publication as early as their freshman years, and may earn one credit hour by enrolling in Publications Practice. Furthermore, journalism students are encouraged to supplement their news writing and gathering skills by taking courses in graphics and photography.

Our Program
The journalism sequence provides students with a mix of theoretical and practical training. In addition to the core courses required of all communication majors, students in the journalism sequence are advised to take:

Requirements
COMM 225: Reporting (3 hours)
COMM 350: Editing (3 hours)
COMM 415: Reporting of Public Affairs (3 hours)

Electives
COMM 276: Photojournalism I (3 hours) or
COMM 335: Feature Writing (3 hours)
COMM 340: Publications Practice (3 hours)
COMM 537: Integrated Electronic Communication (3 hours)
COMM 623: History of Mass Communication (3 hours)
COMM 626: Law of Mass Communication (3 hours)
COMM 721: Philosophy and Ethics of Mass Communication (3 hours)

One communication elective course above the 300 level (3 hours)

Course Descriptions for a synopsis of each course.