Journalism, B.A.

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Journalism is the practice of collecting, evaluating, and disseminating current, relevant information and opinion. The journalism major prepares students for a variety of careers as multimedia news producers or public relations practitioners. Journalism courses are also useful electives for students planning to enter other vocations who wish to deepen and expand their media-literacy.

University Grade-Point Average and Grade Requirements

Georgia State University undergraduate students must achieve an overall institutional grade-point average of 2.0 and a major GPA of 2.0 in the Major and Additional courses areas to receive a bachelor’s degree from the university. Grades of C- can be used to satisfy graduation requirements. However, some courses have prerequisites that require a grade of C or higher. (See 1460 GPA Requirement for additional information.)

Students must fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements (see College Degree Requirements) and the University Degree Requirements (see 1400 University Degree Requirements and Graduation).

Degree Requirements (120 Hours)

Field of Study Area (18 Hours)

Journalism majors must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all Field of Study Area JOUR courses  

Journalism majors may attempt JOUR 1000, JOUR 1010, and JOUR 2500 a maximum of two times at GSU.

‘W’ grades do not count as an attempt.
‘WF’ grades count as an attempt.

Required Courses (12 Hours)

(minimum grade of “C” required.)

JOUR 1000 - Introduction to Mass Communication 3 Credit Hours *
JOUR 1010 - Introduction to Media Writing 3 Credit Hours *
JOUR 2500 - Foundations of Media Research 3 Credit Hours *
SCOM 1500 - Public Speaking 3 Credit Hours

World Language Requirements

World Language at the 1002 level or higher 3 Hours
(See “World Language Requirement for B.A. and B.I.S. Majors,” previously described.)

Field Electives

Select additional elective courses from the following to complete 18 hours in the Field of Study Area:

AAS 1141 - Introduction to African and African American History to 1865 3 Credit Hours
or
HIST 1141 - Introduction to African and African American History to 1865 3 Credit Hours
AAS 1142 - Introduction to African American History Since 1865 3 Credit Hours
or
HIST 1142 - Introduction to African American History Since 1865 3 Credit Hours
AAS 2010 - Introduction to Africana Studies 3 Credit Hours
ANTH 2020 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 3 Credit Hours
ECON 2105 - Principles of Macroeconomics 3 Credit Hours
ECON 2106 - Principles of Microeconomics 3 Credit Hours
FLME 2700 - History of the Motion Pictures 3 Credit Hours
GEOG 1101 - Introduction to Human Geography 3 Credit Hours
HIST 1111 - Survey of World History to 1500 3 Credit Hours
HIST 1112 - Survey of World History since 1500 3 Credit Hours
HIST 2110 - Survey of United States History 3 Credit Hours
MUA 1500 - Jazz: Its Origins, Styles, and Influence 3 Credit Hours
MUA 1930 - Music, Society, and Culture 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 2010 - Introduction to Philosophy 3 Credit Hours
POLS 2101 - Introduction to Political Science 3 Credit Hours
POLS 2401 - Global Issues 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 1101 - Introduction to General Psychology 3 Credit Hours
SOCI 1101 - Introduction to Sociology 3 Credit Hours
SOCI 1160 - Introduction to Social Problems 3 Credit Hours
SCOM 1010 - Improving Voice and Articulation 3 Credit Hours
THEA 2040 - Introduction to the Theatre 3 Credit Hours
WGSS 2010 - Introduction to Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies 3 Credit Hours
World language 1001 (if no previous experience with language)
World language at the 2001 or 2002 level

Concentration Areas

Additional Courses Area

Journalism majors can complete the 120-hour degree requirement in a variety of ways: a minor, a certificate, or a double major. Each student should discuss these options with their academic advisor and choose the one that will best serve the student’s long-term goals.

Minor: at least 15 semester hours in another discipline within the Department of Communication or in another academic department/school/institute that offers a baccalaureate degree. At least nine semester hours of minor courses must be at the 3000 level or above, unless otherwise specified by the minor-granting department/school/institute. The College of Arts and Sciences requires a grade of C or higher in each course counted toward the minor.
Certificate: completion of an Undergraduate Certificate. The following undergraduate certificates are recommended: Health and Science Communication, Social Science Data Analytics, Digital Humanities, Technical and Professional Communication, Workplace Intercultural Competence, Gerontology, Sustainability, and Social Justice. If needed, students may take additional electives in the major to meet the 120-hour degree requirement.
Double major: course work to satisfy requirements for a second major in addition to Journalism; all college and departmental requirements apply to this second major.
Further course work in the major: three courses (9 hours) in Journalism beyond the 30 hours required for the major to complete the 120-hour degree requirement.

Additional Information

Internships

Credit for special projects and internships is available in all majors. Internships provide students who have already completed all other requirements to gain experience in a variety of professional sectors in the metropolitan area and to tailor programs to their specific career goals.

Graduation with Distinction in the Major

This unit offers undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn the designation of graduation with distinction in the major. Please contact the undergraduate director for the specific criteria for this honor.