Journalism, BS
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Journalism
JOURNALISM (JOUR), prepares the next generation of journalists to explore and report on the diversity of ideas, people and events in a democratic society. Students learn the reporting, writing, editing, producing, and multimedia skills and concepts required to produce accurate, fair, and thorough journalism and to navigate the ever-changing news media landscape. Journalism graduates combine strong professional training with a broad liberal arts education to pursue careers in online newsrooms, television and radio stations, newspapers and magazines and emerging media.
Programs in Journalism
Undergraduate Programs:
major: Journalism, BS
major: Journalism, BS-MJ
minors: Journalism | Media | Public Relations
Graduate Programs:
degree: Journalism, BS-MJ
degree: Journalism, MS
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Journalism
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Major Courses All required courses must be taken for a letter grade. | 44-47 | |
| JOUR 200 | Introduction to Journalism | 3 |
| JOUR 205 | History of American Journalism | 3 |
| or JOUR 452 | Great Books of Journalism | |
| JOUR 210 | Newsgathering Across Platforms | 4 |
| JOUR 215 | Multimedia Reporting | 4 |
| JOUR 220 | News Editing | 4 |
| JOUR 250 | Journalism Ethics & Diversity | 3 |
| JOUR 311 | Media Law | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 8 | |
| Adv Public Affairs Reporting | ||
| Video Reporting & Storytelling | ||
| Multimedia Editing and Design | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9-12 | |
| Audio Journalism | ||
| Augmented and Virtual Reality | ||
| Video Storytelling 2-Producing | ||
| Science Journalism | ||
| Business Reporting | ||
| Advanced Reporting Topics | ||
| Immersion Journalism | ||
| Investigative Journalism | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Media and Public Opinion | ||
| Research Methods in Journalism (or equivalent) | ||
| Propaganda & the News Media | ||
| Special Topics (department approval required) | ||
| Journalism Electives | 9 | |
Any Journalism course at the 200-level or above. Courses from the list above not used to complete requirements may be taken as electives. | ||
| Minor or Specialization | 18 | |
A campus-approved minor, or one 18-hour specialization, or two 9-hour specializations (with at least 6 hours at the 300-level or above), approved by advisor. | ||
| Statistical Methods Course (Choose 1) | 3-4 | |
| STAT 107 | Data Science Discovery (recommended) | 4 |
| STAT 100 | Statistics | 3 |
| SOC 280 | Intro to Social Statistics | 4 |
| PSYC 235 | Intro to Statistics | 3 |
| ECON 202 | Economic Statistics I | 3 |
| EPSY 280 | Elements of Statistics | 4 |
| UP 116 | Urban Informatics I | 3 |
| or other approved statistical methods course | ||
| General Education Requirements | 29-41 | |
| The department maintains a list of recommended courses to fulfill General Education requirements. Some courses may fulfill multiple General Education categories. Courses may also fulfill both major requirements and General Education categories. | ||
| Composition I | 4 | |
| Advanced Composition (JOUR 200 can fulfill) | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning I (statistical methods courses listed above can fulfill) | 3-4 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning II (JOUR 451 can fulfill) | 3 | |
| Humanities and the Arts (JOUR 205, JOUR 452 can fulfill) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: Western Comparative | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures | 3 | |
| Natural Science and Technology | 6 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 6 | |
| Minimum Total Hours required for graduation | 124 | |
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Journalism
Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Electives are additional courses to help students achieve 124 hours required for the degree. These can often be any level, but students should check with their advisor for specific guidance.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. This may require up to three semesters of language depending on high school coursework or placement. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| JOUR 200 | 3 | JOUR 210 | 4 |
| MDIA 100 | 1 | Statistical Methods course | 3 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4-3 | General Education course or Composition I | 3-4 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Elective or Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 3-4 |
| 14 | 17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| JOUR 205 or 452 | 3 | JOUR 220 | 4 |
| JOUR 215 | 4 | JOUR 250 | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| Minor/specialization course | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| JOUR 311 | 3 | Intermediate Skills course | 4 |
| Intermediate Skills course | 4 | Advanced Skills course | 3-4 |
| General Education course | 3 | Minor/specialization course | 3 |
| Minor/specialization course | 3 | Minor/specialization course | 3 |
| Minor/specialization course | 3 | JOUR elective | 3 |
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Advanced Skills course | 3-4 | Advanced Skills course | 4-3 |
| Context course | 3 | JOUR elective | 3 |
| Minor/specialization course | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| JOUR elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 13 | ||
| Total Hours 124 | |||
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Journalism
Student Learning Outcomes are adapted from requirements of the accrediting body for the Department of Journalism (ACEJMC)
- Understand and apply principles and laws related to media and freedom of information
- Write correctly and clearly in appropriate forms and styles
- Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts
- Apply current tools and technologies appropriate for the communications profession and to understand the digital world.
- Demonstrate understanding of the history of journalism development and the role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications
- Demonstrate an understanding of journalism ethical principles
- Demonstrate understanding of diversity, both domestic and global
- Understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images
- Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the profession
- Demonstrate an ability to think critically and evaluate their own work and that of others
- Document professional practice through internships, student media and other publication of student work.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Journalism
department of journalism website
department of journalism faculty
email: journ@illinois.edu
college of media admissions & degree requirements
college of media website