Academic Catalog

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

Core Courses
COM 1500Survey of Mass Communication 13
or COM 1700 Media Literacy
COM 2030Journalistic Grammar and Style3
COM 2100News Reporting3
COM 2280Digital Photojournalism3
COM 3100Public Affairs Reporting3
COM 3210News Editing3
COM 4100Feature Writing3
COM 4250Reporting Race, Gender, and Culture3
COM 5080History of Journalism and Mass Media3
COM 5250Professional Issues in Journalism and Mass Media3
COM 5710Law and Ethics in Journalism and Mass Media3
COM 5500Journalism and New Media3
COM 6190Internship (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 Credits45
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

Core Courses
COM 1500Survey of Mass Communication 13
or COM 1700 Media Literacy
COM 1600Introduction to Audio-Television-Film Production3
COM 2030Journalistic Grammar and Style3
COM 2100News Reporting3
COM 2230Broadcast News Writing and Digital Editing3
COM 4250Reporting Race, Gender, and Culture3
COM 4410Television Production 23-4
or COM 5610 Advanced TV Production
COM 5080History of Journalism and Mass Media3
COM 5250Professional Issues in Journalism and Mass Media3
COM 5381TV News Reporting and Digital Editing3
COM 5500Journalism and New Media3
COM 5710Law and Ethics in Journalism and Mass Media3
COM 6190Internship (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
1

Students must elect eitherCOM 1500 or COM 1700​. Only 3 credits from one of these courses can be applied to the degree.

2

Student may elect either COM 4410 or COM 5610 to fulfill this requirement.

 
 

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.

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