Department of Journalism, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
79-81 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. They may utilize online delivery or other forms of electronic communication. Trained journalists may use their 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 - News/Editorial 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.
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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
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How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):
Criteria for declaring a pre-major:
To be eligible to declare as a pre-major in journalism, a student must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. Transfer students will be accepted during summer Transitions advising or during their first quarter on campus. Freshmen must complete one quarter of classes at WWU to establish a GPA before being considered as a pre-major. Current WWU students must show evidence of the required 2.5 GPA. Students are encouraged to declare as a pre-major while completing the requirements for the major. For complete details, see Steps to Becoming a Major, Declaring as a Pre-Major on the department’s website.
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 major declarations are posted in the Journalism Department and on the student Canvas site each quarter.
See additional details in the Journalism Department’s Student Tab on the website.
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.
