Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism

Al Stavitsky, Dean
301 Reynolds School of Journalism
(775) 784-6531

OBJECTIVE

The Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism helps undergraduate and graduate students turn their passion for storytelling into careers in news, broadcasting and documentary, advertising and public relations, Spanish-language media, media studies and visual communication. Our programs encourage an inclusive learning environment that supports students from all backgrounds and walks of life. 

The school balances enduring values of fair and ethical communication with emerging practices and new technologies. Students prepare for the professional world with experiential learning in the school’s own production centers and agencies as well as with its media partners. Alumni go on to make a difference in their communities and across the world through the stories they tell and the causes they support.

The Reynolds School is one of 110 fully-accredited U.S. journalism and mass communication programs. Our faculty members include endowed chairs in business journalism, media ethics and science communication.

We partner with the College of Engineering around digital media innovation, with the College of Business around entrepreneurship, with the College of Liberal Arts in Spanish-language media and with the School of Medicine around health communication. Our student teams in advertising and public relations have won national and regional competitions.

ACCREDITATION

The Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. Accreditation was first granted in 1970.

PRE-MAJOR AND MAJOR STATUS

Students may declare a Journalism major at any time by completing a Declaration of Major form and submitting it to the dean’s office. Beginning journalism students maintain Pre-Journalism status until the following requirements are met:

• Sophomore standing (30 units completed).
• An overall grade point average of 2.5 or higher and a journalism grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
• Completion of  JOUR 107 , JOUR 108 , JOUR 207 , and JOUR 208 with a grade of “C” or better in each and a GPA of 2.5 in the four classes. NOTE: Each of these classes may be repeated only once.
• Submission of a completed major application form.

Journalism majors must maintain these GPAs to remain in the major. A major will revert to Pre-Major status whenever either the journalism or overall GPA falls below 2.5. After two consecutive semesters below 2.5 in either GPA, the student may be removed from the major.

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Students seeking the bachelor of arts degree from the Reynolds School of Journalism must complete at least 120 credits.

The 120 credits as detailed under Journalism Degree Requirements include:

1. Non-journalism course requirements (72 credits minimum)
   1. The University Core Curriculum (24 credits minimum)
   2. Minor or second major (18 credits minimum)
   3. Two semesters of college level Foreign Language (8 credits)
   4. Additional School requirements in Liberal Arts and Sciences (15-22 credits).
      Journalism students must complete 65 credits in Liberal Arts. Many of these credits are acquired in the university core, the language requirement and the minor, while other Liberal Arts credits are designated by the school. More credits may be necessary to reach the 65 credit minimum depending on a student’s choice of minor and progress through the University Core Curriculum.
2. Journalism course requirements (39 credits minimum. 12 of the 39 Journalism credits in 400-level classes).
3. The 120 credits must also conform to the following:
   1. Cumulative GPA of 2.5
   2. Journalism GPA of 2.5
   3. 40 credits in classes numbered 300 or higher
   4. 60 credits acquired at a four year institution
   5. 30 credits in residence at UNR
   6. Credits taken for S/U grades equal 6 units maximum.