Journalism, BA

Department of Journalism, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

79 Credits

Introduction

Journalism is the work of supplying content, primarily news, for the ever-expanding world of mass media. Journalists are responsible for gathering information, analyzing and editing it for a mass audience, and dispensing it using some form of media platform. Increasingly the methods of distribution have become more complex, but the basic mission of a journalist remains the same: to serve the public by finding, defining, writing and editing information.

Today’s journalist may be found on traditional publications such as newspapers and magazines, broadcast outlets and specialized publications. He or she may utilize online delivery or other forms of electronic communication. The trained journalist may use her or his skills in the expanding field of public relations, working to serve as a bridge between those with a message to communicate and the journalist who seeks information.

Why Consider a Journalism Major?

Few fields of study prepare a person for as wide a range of interesting and challenging careers. Journalists first and foremost learn to write, to accumulate and analyze information. This set of skills is in demand in a host of fields beyond traditional mass media.

The study of Journalism exposes a student to current affairs and problems, from issues of campus governance to international news and concerns. Journalism students are expected to question, to challenge sources of information and seek a variety of data and opinions on any serious issue.

Journalism students are given the daily opportunity to practice what they learn, in hands-on student publication laboratories, culminating in a professional internship. The Journalism faculty at Western are prepared both professionally and academically to help students enter this exciting career field.

Contact Information

Department Interim Chair Jennifer Keller Communications Facility 253 360-650-4987 Jennifer.Keller@wwu.edu

Academic Department Manager Karen Smith Communications Facility 255 360-650-3252 Karen.Smith@wwu.edu

Sample Careers

Reporter | Editor | Customer Service Representative | Public Relations Specialist | Community Relations Director | TV News Anchor | Speech Writer | Advertising Copywriter | Copywriter | Market Research Analyst | Lobbyist | Photojournalist | Designer | Multimedia Producer | All careers involving communication

Major/Career Resources

http://www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Admissions: For admission to the major, a student must have completed the following requirements:

• Complete at least 30 college credits with a cumulative 2.50 grade point average
• Pass JOUR 207 with a B- or better
• Complete one Journalism staff course with a B- or better
• Submit a letter of application

Students meeting qualifications but not admitted because of space limitations will be listed as pre-majors and admitted as space allows.

Application deadlines: Deadlines for pre-major/major declaration are posted in the Journalism Department each quarter.

See additional details in the Journalism Department’s Declaration of Major .

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors. Cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher in major is required.