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:
- majors: Journalism, BS
- minors: Journalism | Media | Public Relations
Graduate Programs:
- degrees: Journalism, MS
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Journalism
Minimum hours for graduation is 124, to include a minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework generally at the 300- and 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree.
Students must complete the Campus General Education requirements including the campus general education language requirement.
All required courses must be taken for a letter grade.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Major Courses | 40 | |
| 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 250 | Journalism Ethics & Diversity | 3 |
| or JOUR 456 | Race, Ethnicity & Gender in Journalism | |
| JOUR 310 | Media Law in Historical Context | 3 |
| or JOUR 311 | Media Law | |
| Intermediate Skills Courses | ||
| Select two of the following: | 8 | |
| Adv Public Affairs Reporting | ||
| Video Reporting & Storytelling | ||
| Multimedia Editing and Design | ||
| Advanced Skills Courses | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9-12 | |
| Audio Journalism | ||
| Newsroom Experience | ||
| Data Storytelling for Journalists | ||
| Augmented and Virtual Reality | ||
| Advanced Documentary Storytelling & Production | ||
| Advanced Television Reporting | ||
| Science Journalism | ||
| Business Reporting | ||
| Advanced Reporting Topics (department approval required) | ||
| Immersion Journalism | ||
| Investigative Journalism | ||
| Context Courses | ||
| 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. 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 | |
| Data Science Discovery (recommended) | ||
| Statistics | ||
| Intro to Social Statistics | ||
| Intro to Statistics | ||
| Economic Statistics I | ||
| Elements of Statistics | ||
| Urban Informatics I | ||
or other approved statistical methods course | ||
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. Journalism Electives are any additional Journalism courses not already counting toward the major requirements. These electives 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 |
| Journalism Elective | 3 | Statistical Methods course | 3 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 | General Education course or Composition I | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course or Language Other than English (3rd level) | 3 | Language Other than English (3rd level) or General Education course | 4 |
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Total Hours 33 | |||
| Second Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| JOUR 205 or 452 | 3 | Intermediate Skills course | 4 |
| JOUR 215 | 4 | JOUR 250 or 456 | 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 | ||
| Total Hours 32 | |||
| Third Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| JOUR 310 or 311 | 3 | Advanced Skills course | 3 |
| Intermediate Skills course | 4 | Journalism Elective | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Minor/Specialization course | 3 |
| Minor/Specialization course | 3 | Minor/Specialization course | 3 |
| Minor/Specialization course | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours 31 | |||
| Fourth Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Advanced Skills course | 3 | Advanced Skills course | 4 |
| Context course | 3 | Journalism Elective | 3 |
| Minor/Specialization course | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 13 | ||
| Total Hours 28 | |||
Total Hours: 124
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Journalism
- Understand and apply theory and law related to journalism and the First Amendment in the United States.
- Communicate and present information clearly and effectively across a variety of media platforms.
- Apply critical thinking and various research methods—including numerical, statistical, and data visualization techniques—to evaluate information and accurately communicate relevant facts.
- Understand and apply current and emerging tools and technologies in multimedia journalism to tell impactful and innovative stories that engage modern audiences.
- Understand the history of journalism and the role of news professionals and institutions in shaping the development of the media industry and the nation.
- Understand and apply principles and practices of ethical journalism in the pursuit of truth, accuracy, and fairness.
- Practice journalism that respectfully and accurately represents people who are often ignored or misrepresented.
- Critically evaluate journalism products for accuracy, fairness, clarity, style, and grammar.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Journalism
Department of Journalism
Department of Journalism faculty
journ@illinois.edu