Journalism and Mass Communication

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.

Degree Requirements

Major Requirements

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Programs.

Course List
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

Minor Requirements

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

Curriculum Worksheet (.PDF)

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.

APPLY TODAY!

Student Stories

"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