The Department of Journalism

The Journalism major at the University of Memphis offers preparation for careers in advertising, broadcast news, Internet journalism, newspaper/magazine, and public relations. The journalism student is required to take career-oriented skills courses to enhance writing, editing, and graphic abilities, as well as theory courses to broaden the student's philosophical understanding.

Program objectives for a B.A. in Journalism are: (a) to think critically, creatively and independently; (b) to conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work; (c) to write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve; (d) to critically evaluate one's own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness.

Journalism graduates typically work as newspaper or television reporters and photographers, editors and anchors, advertising executives, public relations professionals, and freelance writers and producers. No matter which concentration is selected, each student journalist requires a strong background in liberal arts and an understanding of the social sciences to augment his or her professional skills. Consequently, no more than 40 hours of journalism courses may be included in the 120 hours required for graduation. The remainder of the student's course work must follow the guidelines provided by the university to qualify for a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Practical experience is available on The Helmsman newspaper, radio station WUMR, and Insight campus TV newscast productions. Additionally, journalism students may participate in one of the following activities: University Public Information Office, Athletic Publicity Office, Alumni Publicity Office. Qualified majors will be chosen for senior-year internships with Memphis newspapers, magazines, advertising and public relations agencies, and broadcasting stations.

JOUR 2121, which requires typing proficiency, is a prerequisite for journalism majors taking more advanced writing courses in the program. Students must pass the Journalism Department's English Proficiency Test before enrolling for JOUR 2121. Prerequisite journalism courses, including JOUR 2121, must be completed with a minimum grade of "C" before moving on to any course in the program to which the prerequisites are applied. A grade point average of 2.0 is required to declare and maintain a journalism major. JOUR 1700 and JOUR 2121 must be completed within the first calendar year as a major. Students who fail to comply with the above criteria may be permanently dropped from the program. Additionally, students must have a 2.0 grade point average in journalism classes to graduate.

Students majoring in journalism may select only one concentration. Of the 120 hours required for graduation, 80 hours must be other than journalism or journalism skills related courses. Of these 80 hours, at least 65 hours must be in liberal arts. Twelve semester hours in a secondary area of emphasis, outside the Department of Journalism, approved by the student's advisor, is recommended.

In order to be in compliance with the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications accreditation standards, UofM will accept no more than 12 semester hours or the equivalent in journalism courses for transfer from community colleges to be applied toward the degree.

Journalism Major (B.A.)

A. University General Education Program (41 hours)

See Graduation from the University for the University General Education Program requirements.

B. Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) (18-19 hours)

The Bachelor of Arts requirements are in addition to the University General Education Program requirements.

C. The Major (43 hours)

1. Major Core (12 - 15 hours)

Completion of JOUR 1700, 2121, and 4700. Advertising, Broadcast News, Internet Journalism and Public Relations students will take one of the following: JOUR 4702, 4708, 4712 or 4716. Newspaper/Magazine students will take two of the following: JOUR 4702, 4708, 4712 or 4716.

2. Concentrations (21-31 hours)

a. Advertising (30-31 hours): JOUR 3300, 3324, 3900, 4326, 4327, 4328, 4900; JOUR 3400 or 4330 or COMM 3801; MKTG 3010, 3012.

b. Broadcast News (22 hours): JOUR 3120, 3625, 4629, 4639, 4649, and one of the following: JOUR 3900, 4124 or 4500; COMM 3801.

c. Internet Journalism (27 hours): JOUR 3120, 3500, 3526, 3900, 4124, 4500, 4550, 4560, and one of the following: JOUR 3324, 4120, 4130, 4900.

d. Newspaper/Magazine (21 hours): JOUR 2123, 3120, 3130, 3526, 4120, 4124, 4140.

e. Public Relations (30-31 hours): JOUR 3400, 3410, 3421, 3900, 4420, 4440; MGMT 3110; MKTG 3010; one course from among: JOUR 3120, 3130, 3625; and one course from among: JOUR 3300, 4430, 4500, or COMM 3801.

D. Electives (21 hours)

Completion of courses to bring the total to 120 semester hours.

Journalism Minor

Any student wishing to minor in any area in the department of Journalism should see the department chair who will assign an appropriate advisor. The minor must consist of at least 18 hours of approved coursework, 9 of which must be upper division. Coursework for all minors will be determined by the student in conference with the advisor with the approval of the department chair.

Typical 4-Year Journalism Sequence

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Hours Required for Graduation: 120

*Must satisfy University General Education Program Requirement