Journalism — Visual Journalism, BA

Department of Journalism, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

85 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 the Visual Journalism Sequence of the Journalism Major?

Journalism majors pursue theoretical and practical communication studies in a liberal arts setting. Students of journalism gain practical experience on Western’s award-winning student media, and majors additionally take field internships with newspapers, magazines, broadcast stations, public relations agencies and other professional organizations.

Courses in the visual journalism sequence prepare students in the concepts, professional practices and course work applications of visual components of news: photojournalism, information graphics, video and audio clips, mapping and typography.

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 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 (JOUR 214, JOUR 314, JOUR 321) with a B- or better

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.