Journalism

What Is Journalism ?

Journalism is both an interdisciplinary field and a distinct knowledge base for the critical study of media and related issues, and the development of writing, editing and observational skills in a liberal arts curriculum. An intellectual review of traditional disciplines and their biases is intrinsic to journalism studies. As such, journalism teaches critical thinking on two different levels: by questioning the view from the center (theories, methods and practices) in any given field or endeavor; and by evaluating and clearly and publicly expressing these views and concerns to either specific or mass publics.

Success Factors

Successful journalists are curious about people, cultures and science; about how political and economic systems work and do not work. They are critical thinkers who know how to observe, listen and ask questions. They are skilled writers, editors and visual communicators. The foundation for a successful career in journalism is a strong liberal arts education.

Career Possibilities

Graduates with a BA in journalism from the UC McMicken College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) are prepared for many different career options:

• Writer
• Reporter
• Analyst
• Correspondent
• Editor for magazines, newspapers and the electronic media
• Corporate writers
• Public relations

Additional career options are listed on the Career Development Center's Web site. 

Major Details

Majors take courses in journalism, literature and writing as well as from other A&S departments and other colleges within the university including electronic media (CCM) and communication (A&S). The major also requires a minor in another academic discipline.

To graduate, all Journalism majors must complete two internships. The journalism internship program boasts a solid placement record. Unique internship opportunities have been offered for more than 35 years.

In addition to completing the courses and internships required for Journalism, all majors must complete a minor or other type of program approved by the undergraduate program director. Students might elect to minor in English, a foreign language, Business, Information Technology (offered by the College of Applied Science), Political Science or many others. Other students opt to complete a double major instead of a minor.

Minor Details

There is no minor in journalism; a certificate is offered in its place. The writing certificate in journalism is designed for students who wish to pursue careers in reporting, news writing, magazine writing, copy editing or publishing, and for those students who wish to apply skills learned in journalism to work in other fields, such as public relations and corporate communications.

In addition to the writing seminars and internship, which should be taken during the senior year, there are 12 hours of journalism courses required for the journalism writing certificate. Details on the seminar and courses, along with a recommended schedule for when they should be taken, are available on the English department Web site (www.artsci.uc.edu/english/).

Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this major. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently enrolled at UC, you can audit your degree online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the course applicability system (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

College Requirements Checklist

This is a suggested plan to complete the program in four years.  Students will take required courses at different times depending upon their choice of options and the combination of the major with a minor or other program.

 *Needed to fulfill A&S college requirements.

 Note: Students must have a "C" or better in a journalism course for it to count toward their major.

Special Opportunities

Students in the UC McMicken College of Arts and Sciences enjoy many benefits afforded through study at a research-intensive institution ranked among the nation's top 25 public research universities. UC's urban, tri-state location offers exciting opportunities for global education, research and service learning, while its student-centered focus includes an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, a nationally recognized Center for Exploratory Studies and a highly successful First Year Experience program that teaches critical skills for first-year students and provides connections with important campus resources.

Special Programs

A unique characteristic of the journalism program is the university’s urban environment. The city and neighborhoods become the classroom. The judicial, legislative and executive branches of government are available for real-life reporting experiences. Student journalists can readily cover business, industry, education, medicine, college/professional athletics and the arts in a metropolitan area. UC journalism majors are in a top media market where internships are readily available and from where a pool of qualified journalists and editors serve as adjuncts and guest faculty.

Admission Requirements

Admission criteria for this program vary based on the relative strength of test scores, class rank and GPA. Please see the Freshman Class Profile for this major in the Quick Facts sidebar on this page for the range of academic credentials typically accepted into this program. Test scores in the lower range may be acceptable with higher class rank and/or GPA. Freshmen applying to this program should also have completed the following state of Ohio articulation requirements with no more than two units missing:

• English (4 units)*
• College-preparatory mathematics (3 units)*
• Science (2 units)
• Social science (2 units)
• Foreign language (2 units)*
• Fine arts (1 unit)
• Additional college-prep subjects (2 units)

*McMicken College of Arts & Sciences does not allow units missing from these areas.

Transfer Requirements

Applicants to A&S whose most recent enrollment was not in any of the UC colleges must apply through the Office of Admissions. Applicants in this category must submit transcripts for all secondary school and college-level work. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all college-level work is required for admission consideration. Admission to A&S is generally available for any off-campus applicants who have received an associate degree from an accredited college or university and whose cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher.

Although midyear, off-campus transfer students are not able to participate in early registration in the quarter prior to their enrollment, they are included in the summer registration period prior to their fall quarter enrollment.

Changing Major Requirements

Applicants to A&S whose most recent enrollment was as a degree-seeking student in one of UC’s other colleges can apply directly to the A&S college office. Admission to A&S is generally available for any on-campus students who have:

• at least a 2.0 GPA in all college-level courses (both at UC and at other institutions),
• successfully completed two quarters of English Composition or its equivalent, and
• gained credit for a college-level mathematics course.

Further details on individual programs are available online or in the A&S Office of Undergraduate Student Affairs and Advising (102 McMicken Hall).

Graduation Requirements

In addition to meeting the university's General Education requirements, the requirements listed in the McMicken College Core Requirements are common to all potential graduates of the college, whether they are pursuing the bachelor of arts, bachelor of science or bachelor of interdisciplinary studies degree.

Application Deadlines

UC operates on a quarter system, with 10-week grading periods beginning in late September, early January, late March and mid-June. While midyear admission is possible, fall quarter is generally the best time to enter the college, since many course sequences begin in that quarter. Applicants to the UC McMicken College of Arts and Sciences who are enrolled or who were previously enrolled as degree-seeking students in A&S or in other UC colleges should apply for admission directly to A&S (in McMicken 102). All other applicants who wish to earn an undergraduate degree  from A&S should apply through the Office of Admissions (3rd Floor, University Pavilion).