What is the major? A Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Public Communications

How to Register for Classes

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Journalism and Public Communications (JPC) prepares students to engage in the role that free expression and communication play in a global society. Students create professional-quality projects in print, audio, video, and multimedia. Graduates are prepared for careers and graduate school because of hands-on experience and an emphasis on ethics, effective communication in a variety of contexts and formats, critical thinking, and community-engaged research and creative activity. 

Admission Requirements
  • Complete the .
Graduation Requirements
  • Complete the .
  • Complete the .
  • Submit a completed ePortfolio.
  • Complete at least 72 credits from outside the major.
  • Complete the major requirements below, which includes 42 credits of JPC coursework.
Core Courses
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡104Media Literacy3
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡201Reporting and Writing News3
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡202First Amendment and Media Ethics3
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡203Multimedia Storytelling I3
Electives
Complete one of the following courses:3
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡210
Infographics, Data Visualization and Strategy
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡212
Editing for Journalism and Public Communications
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡213
Digital Imaging
Complete two of the following courses:6
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡312
History of Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ Media
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡313
Film and the First Amendment
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡314
Documentary Filmmakers and Filmmaking
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡404
Global Media
JPC/LEGL A413
Communications Law
Integrative Capstone3
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡403
Communications and Media Research
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡492
JPC Capstone Seminar
Complete six of the following courses:18
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡342
Photojournalism
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡343
Radio News Reporting
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡344
Television News Reporting
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡345
Web Design
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡362
Principles of Strategic Communications
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡366
Planning and Writing for Strategic Communications
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡368
Commercial Photography
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡382
Podcasting
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡383
TV Studio Production
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡384
Digital Video Production
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡443
Public Service Reporting
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡445
Magazines
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡463
Crisis Communications
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡464
Community and Fundraising Communications
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡465
Strategic Communications Campaigns
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡484
Digital Film Production
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡490
Selected Topics in Journalism and Public Communications
´³±Ê°äÌý´¡495
JPC Practica and Internships 1
Interdisciplinary electives3
Complete one of the following courses:
´¡°­±·³§Ìý´¡201
Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ Native Perspectives
°ä·¡³¢Ìý´¡292
Introduction to Civic Engagement
µþ´¡Ìý´¡286
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
µþ´¡Ìý´¡381
Consumer Behavior and Relationship Management
µþ´¡Ìý´¡480
Marketing Media Analytics
·¡°ä°¿±·Ìý´¡101
Principles of Microeconomics
·¡°ä°¿±·Ìý´¡102
Principles of Macroeconomics
°Â³§³Ò³§Ìý´¡200
Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies
±Ê±á±õ³¢Ìý´¡301
Ethics
±á±õ³§°ÕÌý´¡131
History of the United States I
±á±õ³§°ÕÌý´¡390
Themes in World History
´³±«³§°ÕÌý´¡330
Ethics in Criminal Justice Practice and Policy
±Ê±á±õ³¢Ìý´¡305
Professional Ethics
±Ê³§Ìý´¡301
Comparative Political Economy
±Ê³§Ìý´¡324
Model United Nations
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡375
Social Psychology
1

Only JPC juniors and seniors with a 3.00 GPA may enroll in ´³±Ê°äÌý´¡495. JPC practica require an approved academic plan and the approval of the appropriate JPC media advisor or UAA-based workplace supervisor. JPC internships require the approval of the director of JPC internships.

A minimum of 120 credits is required for the degree, of which 39 credits must be upper-division.

Honors in Journalism and Public Communications

Students majoring in journalism and public communications are eligible to graduate with departmental honors if they satisfy all of the following requirements:

  • Meet the requirements for a BA in Journalism and Public Communications;
  • Maintain an overall and JPC specific minimum GPA of 3.50;
  • Complete ´³±Ê°äÌý´¡403 ´Ç°ùÌý´³±Ê°äÌý´¡492 with a minimum grade of B.