Finding Success on the Front Page and Behind the Scenes
"I never thought in a million years that my name would be on the front page of The Washington Post, especially while I am still an undergraduate."
Justine Coleman, Class of 2019
In our classrooms, computer labs and broadcast studio, our faculty of award-winning journalists and academics teach students to report, produce and write for all forms of media. Classes include database and multi-platform reporting, investigative journalism and studio production. The curriculum also focuses on the role journalism and media play in civic and political life.
The Journalism and Mass Communication major and minor provide students with practical skills and an academic background in the role and effects of journalism and media messages. The program emphasizes analysis and critical thinking as students pursue the practical study of media and journalism, media law, history, processes, ethics and effects.
Students interested in the Journalism and Mass Communication minor should fill out a declaration form (.PDF), declaring the minor before the end of their junior year.
The following requirements must be fulfilled:
The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Programs.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required courses (34 credits): | ||
PSC 1002 | Introduction to American Politics and Government | |
or PSC 1002W | Intro-American Politics & Govt | |
STAT 1053 | Introduction to Statistics in Social Science | |
SMPA 2101 | Journalism: Theory & Practice | |
SMPA 2110W | Introduction to News Writing and Reporting (minimum grade of B required) | |
SMPA 2111W | Advanced News Reporting | |
SMPA 2112 | Digital Media I: Introduction to Video Production | |
SMPA 2113 | Digital Media II: Introduction to Web Production and Social Media | |
SMPA 2151 | Research Methods | |
SMPA 2152 | Data Analysis for Journalism and Political Communication | |
SMPA 2173 | Media Law | |
SMPA 3150 | Journalism Ethics | |
One required advanced writing/reporting course (3 credits) from the following: | ||
SMPA 3230 | Reporting in the Digital Age | |
SMPA 3235W | Broadcast News Writing | |
SMPA 3242 | Investigative Reporting | |
Five additional courses (15-18 credits) from the advanced writing/reporting courses listed above or from the following: | ||
SMPA 2120 | Public Opinion | |
SMPA 2177 | Media History | |
SMPA 3193 | Selected Topics in Journalism and Mass Communication Skills | |
SMPA 3195 | Selected Topics in Journalism and Mass Communication | |
SMPA 3196 | Independent Study | |
SMPA 3197 | Internship (Only one, three-credit internship can count toward the major) | |
SMPA 3233 | Photojournalism | |
SMPA 3234 | Editing and Design for Print and Web | |
SMPA 3236W | Broadcast News Reporting | |
SMPA 3240W | Washington Reporting | |
SMPA 3241W | Campaign Reporting | |
SMPA 3243W | Feature Writing | |
SMPA 3244W | Narrative Journalism | |
SMPA 3245W | Editorial & Persuasive Writing | |
SMPA 3246 | Specialized Reporting | |
SMPA 3247 | Documentary Production | |
SMPA 3428 | Media, Politics, and Government | |
SMPA 3450 | Social Media | |
SMPA 3460 | Race, Media & Politics | |
SMPA 3463 | Media Bias | |
SMPA 3469 | International Communication | |
SMPA 3470 | Comparative Media Systems | |
SMPA 3471 | Media in the Developing World | |
SMPA 3472 | Media and Foreign Policy | |
SMPA 3475 | Media Management | |
SMPA 3476 | Media, Technology, and Culture | |
SMPA 3477 | Information Technology and Politics | |
SMPA 3479 | Documentary | |
SMPA 3480 | The Future of Journalism | |
SMPA 4198 | Special Honors Research Seminar | |
One capstone course (4 credits) from the following: | ||
SMPA 4180 | Online Journalism Workshop | |
SMPA 4181 | Television News Workshop | |
SMPA 4182 | Specialized Journalism Workshop |
SMPA 1050: Media in a Free Society
SMPA 2110W: Introduction to News Writing and Reporting
Nine credit hours chosen from the following Skills courses:
SMPA 2111W Advanced News Reporting
SMPA 3230 Reporting in the Digital Age
SMPA 3232 Online Journalism Workshop
SMPA 3233 Photojournalism
SMPA 3234 Editing and Design
SMPA 3235 Broadcast News Writing
SMPA 3235W Broadcast News Writing
SMPA 3236W Broadcast News Reporting
SMPA 3237W Broadcast News Studio Production
SMPA 3238 Television Magazine
SMPA 3239 Television News Practicum
SMPA 3240W Washington Reporting
SMPA 3241W Campaign Reporting
SMPA 3242 Investigative Reporting
SMPA 3243W Feature Writing
SMPA 3244W Narrative Journalism
SMPA 3245W Editorial & Persuasive Writing
SMPA 3246 Specialized Reporting
SMPA 3246W Specialized Reporting
SMPA 3247 Documentary Production
SMPA 3193 Selected Topics in Journalism and Mass Communication Skills
SMPA 3197 Internship (Students are limited to 3 credits of SMPA 3197 toward the minor)
Three credit hours chosen from the following Media Studies courses:
SMPA 2173 Media Law
SMPA 2177 Media History
SMPA 3428 Media, Politics & Government
SMPA 3450 Social Media
SMPA 3469 International Communication
SMPA 3470 Comparative Media Systems
SMPA 3471 Media in the Developing World
SMPA 3472 Media and Foreign Policy
SMPA 3474 Electronic Media Policy
SMPA 3475 Media Management
SMPA 3476 Media, Technology, and Culture
SMPA 3479 Documentary
SMPA 3480 The Future of Journalism
SMPA 3195 Selected Topics in Journalism and Mass Communication
JMC Special Honors
To apply for Journalism and Mass Communication Honors, graduating seniors must have a minimum 3.7 GPA and a portfolio of published work. A short letter to faculty members on the SMPA Awards Committee should outline applicable achievements and career goals.
Applications are due at 11:59pm EST on Sunday, April 25th for Spring 2021 Seniors.
"I never thought in a million years that my name would be on the front page of The Washington Post, especially while I am still an undergraduate."
Justine Coleman, Class of 2019
"You’re going all over the city on errands, which is pretty sweaty in the summer, but you don’t care because there’s no one you’d rather be doing it for. There’s no job too small in this industry."
Gillian Horn, Class of 2019