Journalism (B.A.)
Journalism majors plan careers in news editorial, broadcast, media relations or marketing and advertising. Students have a choice between a concentration in Print and Online journalism or one in Broadcast and Digital Media.
Journalism Institute for Media Diversity: The Journalism Institute for Media Diversity is designed to recruit and train talented undergraduate students interested in diversity in the media. Members of all racial and ethnic groups as well as anyone interested in studying the importance of diversity in the nation's media are particularly urged to apply. The Institute pools the resources of the University, the business community and Detroit area media professionals to provide scholarships and internships for some of its students. For additional information contact:
Director, Journalism Institute for Media Diversity
Wayne State University Journalism Program
559 Manoogian
Detroit, MI 48201
Telephone: 313-577-6304
Major Requirements
Journalism majors plan careers in news editorial, broadcast, media relations or marketing and advertising. Students have a choice between a concentration in Print and Online journalism or one in Broadcast News and Digital Media. A journalism advisor must be consulted for verification of requirements, which includes at least one required three-credit internship.
In addition to the course work below, students must complete all of the department's general degree requirements.
Print and Online Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| COM 1500 | Survey of Mass Communication 1 | 3 |
| or COM 1700 | Media Literacy | |
| COM 2030 | Journalistic Grammar and Style | 3 |
| COM 2100 | News Reporting | 3 |
| COM 2280 | Digital Photojournalism | 3 |
| COM 3100 | Public Affairs Reporting | 3 |
| COM 3210 | News Editing | 3 |
| COM 4100 | Feature Writing | 3 |
| COM 4250 | Reporting Race, Gender, and Culture | 3 |
| COM 5080 | History of Journalism and Mass Media | 3 |
| COM 5250 | Professional Issues in Journalism and Mass Media | 3 |
| COM 5710 | Law and Ethics in Journalism and Mass Media | 3 |
| COM 5500 | Journalism and New Media | 3 |
| COM 6190 | Internship (3 req.) | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select six credits of the following: | 6 | |
| Broadcast News Writing and Digital Editing | ||
| South End Workshop | ||
| Media Analysis and Criticism | ||
| Fundamentals of Public Relations | ||
| Research Methods in Communication | ||
| Directed Study (Max. 4) | ||
| Public Relations Campaigns and Issues Management | ||
| Special Topics in Advanced Reporting | ||
| Layout and Design | ||
| Investigative Reporting | ||
| TV News Reporting and Digital Editing | ||
| Magazine Writing | ||
| Advanced TV Production | ||
| Internship 1-3 credits, max 6 | ||
| Marketing Management | ||
| Principles of Advertising | ||
| Media Planning in the Digital Age | ||
| Total Credits | 45 | |
- 1
Students must elect either COM 1500 or COM 1700. Only 3 credits from one of these courses can be applied to the degree.
Broadcast News and Digital Media Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| COM 1500 | Survey of Mass Communication 1 | 3 |
| or COM 1700 | Media Literacy | |
| COM 1600 | Introduction to Audio-Television-Film Production | 3 |
| COM 2030 | Journalistic Grammar and Style | 3 |
| COM 2100 | News Reporting | 3 |
| COM 2230 | Broadcast News Writing and Digital Editing | 3 |
| COM 4250 | Reporting Race, Gender, and Culture | 3 |
| COM 4410 | Television Production 2 | 3-4 |
| or COM 5610 | Advanced TV Production | |
| COM 5080 | History of Journalism and Mass Media | 3 |
| COM 5250 | Professional Issues in Journalism and Mass Media | 3 |
| COM 5381 | TV News Reporting and Digital Editing | 3 |
| COM 5500 | Journalism and New Media | 3 |
| COM 5710 | Law and Ethics in Journalism and Mass Media | 3 |
| COM 6190 | Internship (3 req.) | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select six credits of the following: | 6 | |
| Digital Photojournalism | ||
| Media Analysis and Criticism | ||
| Public Affairs Reporting | ||
| Editing and Field Production | ||
| Feature Writing | ||
| Research Methods in Communication | ||
| African Americans in Television | ||
| Audio Production | ||
| Directed Study (Max. 4) | ||
| Documentary and Non-Fiction Film and Television | ||
| Special Topics in Advanced Reporting | ||
| Layout and Design | ||
| Internship | ||
Departmental Honors Program
The Communication Department Honors program offers capable students the opportunity to pursue independent study and to work closely with department faculty members. Completion of the honors major results in an honors degree designation on the diploma.
In order to enter the departmental honors program students must have achieved academic excellence in previous work, such as a high school g.p.a. of 3.5 or a college or university g.p.a. of 3.3. Students must meet all regular major requirements including the following: three honors-option courses within their major at the 2000 level or above, taught by full-time faculty members (internships cannot satisfy this requirement), at least one HON 42xx-level seminar offered through the Honors College, a senior honors thesis under the direction of a faculty advisor in their major area (COM 4996) and maintain a minimum g.p.a. of 3.3 cumulative and in the major.