Journalism Concentration
The journalism concentration is foundational training that prepares students for careers in reporting, law, research and communication. Emphasis is placed on investigative and storytelling skills, adaptable to a variety of jobs in media and related fields. Students learn news judgment as well as responsibility to their audience and to professional ethical standards. Our students graduate with writing skills and digital tools.
Journalism students are encouraged to work on our award-winning student publications, including the Arkansas Traveler newspaper, the Razorback yearbook, and The Hill, a student-produced literary journalism magazine. Our internship coordinator helps students land professional experience.
Our graduates work at National Geographic, The New York Times, Politico, and many other media outlets.
Students are encouraged to complete an internship, whether it is taken for credit or not.
Required courses for this concentration:
Fundamental Courses. (9 hours)
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| JOUR 20103 | News Reporting I |
| JOUR 30103 | Editing |
| JOUR 31203 | Enterprise Journalism |
In-Depth Reporting Requirement. Choose two courses from the list below. (6 hours)
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| JOUR 30203 | News Reporting II |
| JOUR 31603 | Sports Journalism |
| JOUR 40703 | Social Media and Journalism |
| JOUR 40803 | Data Journalism |
| JOUR 40903 | Business Journalism |
| JOUR 45003 | Magazine Writing |
| JOUR 49003 | Community Journalism |
Visual Literacy & Technology Requirement. Choose two courses from the list below. (6 hours)
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| JOUR 20003 | Storytelling for Today's Media |
| JOUR 20333 | Video Production |
| JOUR 20603 | Media Graphics and Technology |
| JOUR 23303 | Photo Journalism I |
| JOUR 40303 | Advanced Radio News Reporting and Podcasting |
| JOUR 40603 | Computer-Assisted Publishing |
| Or other Visual Literacy & Technology courses as approved by the School of Journalism and Strategic Media. |
Journalism core courses:
A minimum of 34 semester hours in journalism is required, including the following:
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| JOUR 10203 | Media and Society |
| JOUR 10303 | Media Writing |
| JOUR 36603 | Media Law |
| JOUR 43303 | Ethics in Journalism |
| JOUR 49801 (See advisor for enrollment) |
Journalism Writing Requirement |
A minimum grade of C is required in all journalism courses that serve as prerequisites for advanced journalism courses. In certain cases, a minimum grade of B is required. Students must select a sequence when they enter the department.
Cultural Diversity Requirement - All majors are required to complete a 3-credit cultural diversity course. Students should consult their academic advisor and the University Catalog for approved courses.
Digital Requirement - Students should consult the University Catalog and their academic advisor for guidance on completing the digital requirement for each JOUR concentration. They will complete one of the following skills courses that does not count toward another requirement in the concentration: JOUR 20003, JOUR 20333, JOUR 20503, JOUR 20603, JOUR 23303, JOUR 30403, JOUR 40303, JOUR40603, JOUR 40703, or JOUR 40803.
GSP Requirement - Students who major or minor in journalism or advertising/public relations need to fulfill the School of Journalism’s grammar, spelling and punctuation (GSP) requirement. This involves passing the independent-study GSP exam in JOUR 1100 with a score of 75% or higher or complete JOUR 10003 Journalistic Writing Skills with a final grade of C or higher.