Journalism and Media Studies, BA

Requirements

Students in Journalism and Media Studies should carefully review the degree map (see tab above) because not all courses are offered every term. Students should also note that JMS 220 MEDIA WRITING  is a prerequisite for several courses in the major and should be taken as soon as possible; it can be taken concurrently with COMM 201 COMMUNICATION IN THE INFO AGE. Consult a faculty member or an academic advisor in the program if you have questions.

Students complete a total of 12 courses (37 credit hours) for the Journalism and Media Studies degree, including 10 core courses and two major electives. Highlights of the program include:

  • COMM 201 COMMUNICATION IN THE INFO AGE  is the gateway to the program. We recommend students take COMM 201 as soon as they complete ENG 102. Transfer students may have an equivalent course that can be substituted.
  • Students complete a required professional internship experience in the field, JMS 399 MEDIA INTERNSHIP
  • Students conclude their program with a required capstone project, JMS 392 THE MULTIMEDIA PROJECT
  • Transfer students must complete at least seven JMS courses (21 credit hours) at Roosevelt.

Note these guidelines:

  •  100-level courses do not count toward the hours required for Journalism and Media Studies.
  • Letter grades (not pass/fail) are required for courses in Journalism and Media Studies, with the exception of JMS 399 MEDIA INTERNSHIP Internships are pass/fail.
  • Grades below C (not C-) are may not be used toward the major in Journalism and Media Studies.

Journalism & Media Studies B.A.

Core
JMS 203INTRODUCTION TO MEDIA THEORY3
JMS 219INTRODUCTION TO MEDIA PRODUCTION3
JMS 220MEDIA WRITING4
JMS 305VIDEO PRODUCTION3
JMS 319MULTIMEDIA REPORTING3
JMS 350EDITING3
or IMC 240 MARKETING RESEARCH
JMS 351PUBLIC OPINION & PROPAGANDA3
JMS 363LAW AND ETHICS3
JMS 392THE MULTIMEDIA PROJECT3
JMS 399MEDIA INTERNSHIP3
Electives6
Two courses at the 200 or 300 level in Journalism and Media Studies, Communication, Graphic Design, or Integrated Marketing Communications (COMM 201 may not be used as an elective)
General Education, University Writing Requirement, and Electives83
Total Credit Hours120
  • CORE Requirements (General Education)

    First Year Success Course or Transfer Success Course
    FYS 101FIRST YEAR SUCCESS COURSE1
    or TRS 101 TRANSFER SUCCESS 101
    Communication Requirement
    ENG 101COMPOSITION I: CRITICAL READING & WRITING3
    ENG 102COMPOSITION II: INTRODUCTION TO ACADEMIC RESEARCH3
    COMM 101PUBLIC SPEAKING (or program specific CORE communications course)3
    Ideas of Social Justice
    3 credits in coursework categorized as Ideas.3
    Humanities and Fine and Performing Arts 2, 3
    9 credits from the following subject areas: African-American Studies, Art History, English (excluding ENG 101 and ENG 102), History, Languages, Music, Philosophy, Theatre, Communication and Women's and Gender Studies9
    Mathematics
    MATH 110QUANTITATIVE LITERACY (or above) 13
    Science
    One biological science and one physical science required (one must include a one credit lab).7-8
    Social Sciences 2,3
    9 credits from the following subject areas: African-American Studies, Criminal Justice, Economics, History, Journalism, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology and Women's and Gender Studies9
    Experiential Learning
    6 credits from coursework categorized as Experiential Learning. 6
    Total Credit Hours47-48
    1

    Higher level of Math may be required by major

    2

    Coursework must come from outside of students' major discipline

    3

    A maximum of 9 credits can be applied from a single discipline towards humanities and social science requirements

    These quantitative requirements also apply to degrees.

    • Students must earn a minimum of 120 semester hours.
    • Students may apply no more than 60 credit hours of 100-level courses toward the degree.
    • Students must apply no fewer than 60 credit hours of 200- and 300-level courses toward the degree.
    • Students must have at least 18 credit hours (of the 60 credit hours above) at the 300 level.
    • Students may transfer in no more than 70 credit hours from community colleges.
    • Students earning less than 60 total hours in residence must take their final 30 hours at Roosevelt University. Note that some majors have additional requirements for RU hours.
    • Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher to graduate. Note that some majors have additional GPA requirements.
    • Students may apply no more than 51 hours in the major (BA) or 57 hours in the major (BS)

Journalism and Media Studies BA 

Year 1
FallCredit HoursSpringCredit Hours
FYS 10111ENG 1023
ENG 1013COMM 1013
MATH 1103Ideas of Social Justice63
BIOL 111 or 11254Physical Science53
Social Science #13Social Science #23
 14 15
Year 2
FallCredit HoursSpringCredit Hours
COMM 201 (Social Science #3)3JMS 305 (offered spring terms only)3
JMS 2033JMS 319 (offered spring terms only)3
JMS 2193JMS 350 (or General Elective)4, 83
JMS 2204Humanities #23
Humanities #13General Elective43
 16 15
Year 3
FallCredit HoursSpringCredit Hours
JMS 3513JMS 399 (or General Elective)73
JMS 3633JMS 2XX or JMS 3XX2, 33
IMC 240 (or General Elective)4,83General Elective43
Humanities #33General Elective43
General Elective43General Elective43
 15 15
Year 4
FallCredit HoursSpringCredit Hours
JMS 399 (or General Elective)73JMS 392 (offered spring terms only)73
JMS 2XX or JMS 3XX2, 33General Elective 43
General Elective 43General Elective 43
General Elective 43General Elective43
General Elective 43General Elective43
 15 15
Total Credit Hours 120
1

The First-Year Success course is required of freshmen with fewer than 12 hours and is taken in the first semester at RU.

2

Any course at the 200 level within the discipline. Two electives in the major are required.

3

Any course at the 300 level within the discipline. Two electives in the major are required.

4

General electives are courses outside the major. A course counting toward a minor may be taken here in place of a general elective.

5

One Natural Science course must have a lab.

6

An Ideas of Social Justice course is required for all new students with fewer than 30 hours and should be taken in students' second semester at Roosevelt. .

7

JMS 392 THE MULTIMEDIA PROJECT  and JMS 399 MEDIA INTERNSHIP fulfill the university's requirement for two Experiential Learning courses. Additional Experiential Learning courses are optional.

8

Students majoring in Journalism and Media Studies choose between JMS 350 EDITING  and IMC 240 MARKETING RESEARCH . Discuss your career plans with your advisor before making your selection.