Journalism, B.A.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• demonstrate the ability to write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve.
• demonstrate understanding of concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information.
• demonstrate and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances.
• demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and their historical development, and be able to work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.
• demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of groups (including communities defined by gender, race, ethnicity, age, religion and sexual orientation) in a global society in relationship to communications.
• conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work.

Contact Information

301 Reynolds School of Journalism
(775) 784-6531

Jean Dixon (all journalism and transfer student advising)- jdixon@unr.edu
Sally Echeto (graduating seniors) - echeto@unr.edu
Donica Mensing (Associate Dean) – dmensing@unr.edu
Paul Mitchell (recruitment, retention) - pmitchel@unr.edu

Transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno

Use the transfer agreement  and the degree planner (available by clicking  at the top right of this page) to build your plan for graduation with your advisor. Course substitutions not identified on the transfer agreement require UNR advisor approval.

If a major-to-major transfer agreement is not available for your transfer institution, please check the General Core agreement  if available. If neither is available, access Transferology to assist in your planning.

Admission Requirements

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 advising center in RSJ 303. 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 103, JOUR 107 and JOUR 108, with a grade of “C” or better in each and a GPA of 2.5 in the three 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 fall below 2.5.  After two consecutive semesters below 2.5 in either the overall or major GPA, the student may be removed from the major.

Graduation Requirements

• Total Units | 120
• Cumulative GPA | 2.5
• University GPA | 2.0
• Major GPA | 2.5
• Residency Requirement | 30 Upper-Division Units at UNR
• Upper-Division Requirement | 40 Upper-Division Units
• Half Program Units/4 Year Institution | 60 Units

I. Core General Education Requirements (24-27 units)

NOTE: Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter of this catalog for information regarding the “Core English and Math Completion Policy  .”

Students in this major must meet all Core Objectives (CO1 through CO14). Courses satisfying Core Objectives are designated (e.g., CO9) in General Catalog curricula and course descriptions.

II. Additional Core Requirements (12 units maximum)

Students must take courses that satisfy the following Core Objectives. Some or all of these Core Objectives may be satisfied in the Major Requirements (Section IV).  Refer to the Core Curriculum  chapter in this catalog.

III. Additional College Requirements (4-8 units)

Students are required to take at least 72 units outside the School of Journalism to meet accreditation requirements. Besides silver course requirements and major requirements, students must also take:

IV. Major Requirements (39 units)

The journalism major includes 21 journalism core units and 18 journalism elective units.
Twelve of the required 39 units must be earned in courses numbered 400-499.

V. Minor Requirements (18-21 units)

Students may complete any minor approved by the University, except that students may not receive credit for both a minor and a major in the same discipline. Completion of a second major or degree approved by the university satisfies this requirement.

Journalism students are encouraged to consider a second major or double minor. With advance planning, many double majors can be completed within four years.

VI. Electives (13-23 units)

VII. Recommended Schedule

If you are considering a double major or double minor please make an appointment with a journalism advisor so we can assist in your selection of core curriculum courses.