Department of Journalism
Kimpel 116
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
479-575-3601
E-MAIL CONTACTS:
Patsy Watkins, Department Chair
Carol Rachal, Alumni contact
how to apply
Combined Majors
Students studying journalism at the university may choose from two "Combined Major" programs
These "combined majors" are not considered minors or double majors, but involve a lesser number of credit hours from each major area than would be required for a full major. Note that students with Combined Majors must have an adviser in each of the two departments.
Other journalism combined programs include:
- Agriculture with a Journalism minor
- Teaching certification in Journalism
- Journalism with an emphasis on graphics study (Art Department)
Requirements for a Combined Major in Journalism and Political Science
This option is recommended for students who have a strong interest in the reporting of public affairs.
| 24 hours of journalism: | Plus two courses from the following: | 24 hours of political science: |
|---|---|---|
| JOUR 1023 | JOUR 3133 | PLSC 2003 |
| JOUR 2013 | JOUR 3333 | PLSC 2013 |
| JOUR 3013 | JOUR 3433 | PLSC 4373 |
| JOUR 3023 | Note that some courses may have prerequisites. | Plus 15 additional hours of advanced political science courses selected from one or two field concentrations: |
| JOUR 3633 | American Political Affairs or Foreign Affairs | |
| JOUR 4043 |
Specific American Political Affairs and Foreign Affairs courses are listed below. For more information see the Political Sciences class listings in the Catalog of Studies. (This link will take you to the Course Descriptions PDF. The Political Science descriptions start on page 31 of the Catalog of Studies and page 85 of the PDF.)
| American Political Affairs | Foreign Affairs | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLSC 3103 | PLSC 3113 | PLSC 3153 | PLSC 3183 | PLSC 3503 | PLSC 3523 | PLSC 3533 | PLSC 3553 |
| PLSC 3203 | PLSC 3223 | PLSC 3243 | PLSC 3253 | PLSC 3573 | PLSC 3603 | PLSC 3803 | PLSC 3813 |
| PLSC 3603 | PLSC 3853 | PLSC 3923H | PLSC 3913 | PLSC 3823 | PLSC 3853 | PLSC 3923H | PLSC 394V |
| PLSC 3933 | PLSC 394V | PLSC 3973 | PLSC 3983 | PLSC 3953 | PLSC 3963 | PLSC 3973 | PLSC 3983 |
| PLSC 399VH | PLSC 4193 | PLSC 4203 | PLSC 4213 | PLSC 399VH | PLSC 4273 | PLSC 4503 | PLSC 4513 |
| PLSC 4223 | PLSC 4243 | PLSC 4253 | PLSC 4263 | PLSC 4543 | PLSC 4563 | PLSC 4573 | PLSC 4583 |
| PLSC 4273 | PLSC 4813 | PLSC 4823 | PLSC 4903 | PLSC 4593 | PLSC 4803 | PLSC 4843 | PLSC 4873 |
View the Degree Checksheet for a Combined Major in Journalism and Political Science (PDF)
Requirements for a Combined Major in Journalism and English
| 21 hours of journalism: | 24 hours of English, with 9 hours from the following: |
|---|---|
| JOUR 1023 | ENGL 2113 or 5113 |
| JOUR 1033 | ENGL 2123 or 5123 |
| JOUR 2013 | ENGL 3323 or 5323 |
| JOUR 3013 | The 15 additional hours must be in courses numbered higher than ENGL 3003. |
| JOUR 3023 | |
| JOUR 3633 | |
| Plus two journalism electives. Note that some courses may have prerequisites. |
For more information, vist the English Department website or view the Degree checksheet (PDF).
Agriculture with a minor in Journalism
A special program in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences enables agriculture students to take a minor in journalism. Those requirments can be chosen from three areas:
| Print Journalism 18 hours, including: |
Broadcast Journalism 18 hours, including: |
Print and Broadcast Journalism 18 hours including: |
|---|---|---|
| JOUR 1023 | JOUR 1023 | JOUR 1023 |
| JOUR 1033 | JOUR 1033 | JOUR 1033 |
| JOUR 2013 | JOUR 2033 | JOUR 2013 |
| JOUR 3013 | JOUR 3073 | JOUR 2033 |
| JOUR 3123 | JOUR 3633 | JOUR 2073 |
| JOUR 3633 | JOUR 4863 | JOUR 3633 |
Teaching Certification in Journalism
Through another program, students can seek Teaching Certification in Journalism. This requires completion of a bachelor's degree in Arts' and Sciences and the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree through the College of Education. To apply to the M.A.T. program, students must complete the following with a GPA of 2.70. Admission to the program is competitive.
Complete minimum of 24 hours in a primary teaching field. Those who plan to teach journalism in Arkansas public schools will be advised to choose English as a primary teaching field. Complete the pre-education minor as stated in the catalog. Complete the courses specifically required for certification as stated in the catalog. Earn a C or better in ENGL 1013. 1023. 3033 (or 2013); COMM 1313 and MATH 1203. Obtain a second teaching field in Journalism through the Arkansas Department of Education.
Graphics Study for Journalists
Journalism students in any sequence who want to specialize in graphic design may take 15 hours of specific art courses. These courses will count in your degree program as electives.
- ART 1013 Drawing Fundamentals I
- ART 1313 Two-Dimensional Design
- ART 3363 Graphic Design I (prerequisite: ART 1313 & 1323 OR ART 1013 & 2013)
- ART 4343 Design III
- ART 4383 Graphic Design: Layout (prerequisite: ART 3363)
Full descriptions of Department of Art courses can be found here
Graphics and graphics-related courses in the journalism department include:
- JOUR 2063 Media Technology. An overview of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign
- JOUR 2333 & JOUR 3083 Photojournalism. News and feature photography. Includes lecture, field and lab components.
- JOUR 3093 Web Design. Macromedia Dreamweaver, minimal UNIX coding, for personal and commerical sites
- JOUR 4063 Computer-Assisted Publishing. In-depth, hands-on exploration of computer hardware and software in the design and production of media messages.
- JOUR 4423 Creative Strategy in Advertising. The creation of advertising copy and layout for the mass media with emphasis on strategy, the written message, and physical appearance of the advertisement.