Undergraduate Major
Journalism and Media Studies
Areas of Concentration
Broadcast Journalism
Provides study and experience in areas of television and radio production, writing, and journalistic inquiry.
Print Journalism
Provides study and practice in the areas of print, Internet, emerging media, writing, interviewing and design.
Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC)
Provides study and practice in the areas of advertising, public relations, marketing communication and the relationships between these areas.
Media Studies
Prepares students for advanced study of the interaction between media and society, particularly in the areas of media criticism, cultural studies, visual communication, and journalism.
Minor
Journalism and Media Studies (21 credits)
Includes nine units of required courses (JOUR 100, 101 and 102), six hours of JOUR core courses (two courses from JOUR 305, 401, 408, 413, or 435), and six units from upper-division courses (300 or 400 level). Students minoring in Journalism and Media Studies must apply to the school for admission and must pass the same entrance exam as do the majors, and they must complete all coursework within the minor with a 3.0 GPA.
Admission to the Major
GPA: 3.00
Admission Policies
The Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies is a highly-competitive program and limits enrollment in any given year for entering majors. Students will be assigned a Pre-Journalism (JOURPRE) designation until they have completed the following pre-major requirements:
1. Journalism and Media Studies Core...................(9 credits)
JOUR 100, 101, and 102.
2. UNLV General Education Core courses....... (16-18 credits)
ENG 101 and 102
U.S. and Nevada Constitutions requirement
Six credits chosen from the remaining General Education Core requirements.
All courses satisfying Pre-Journalism requirements must be completed with at least a B (3.0) grade (B- is unacceptable). Pre-Journalism students may not enroll in upper-division JOUR courses (300-400 level). Upon completion of the pre-major requirements, students may apply for admission to the major.
3. A qualifying entrance exam will be administered once each semester to students who have completed (or are in their final semester prior to completion of) all premajor requirements. The entrance exam will test basic competencies from the Pre-Journalism core as well as writing ability. Students also will submit, as part of the entrance exam, an essay that details academic and career goals.
4, Successful completion of all requirements will result in the student entering the pool of potential majors. Subsequent interviews and reviews of records will determine whether a student will be admitted to the limited enrollment space available for majors.
Transfer Policies: Transfer students will be assigned a JOURPRE designation until they have completed the pre-major requirements described above and must meet with an advisor in the college’s Student Advising Center for articulation of transfer credit.
School Policies
Academic Policies: Students must be Journalism and Media Studies majors during the completion of the last 30 credits taken at UNLV in fulfillment of the departmental residency requirement. Journalism and Media Studies courses may not be used to satisfy more than one requirement, with the exception of international and multicultural requirements. Only course work in the major for which a grade of C or above (C- is not acceptable) is received will count toward satisfaction of the degree requirements. Maintenance of a UNLV 3.00 GPA is required to remain in and graduate from the program. Students must complete 42 upperdivision (300-400) level credits, including 27 upper-division credits in Journalism and Media Studies. NOTE: Journalism
and Media Studies majors are limited to a maximum of 44 total credits within the major.
Required Minor: Each student majoring in Journalism and Media Studies also must complete a minor in a field of their choice (18- 24 credits, depending upon the program). A Liberal Arts minor is strongly encouraged, and students should work closely with advisors to select and complete a minor that will enhance a degree in Journalism and Media Studies.
Change of Major: Change of status from pre-major to major requires the student to acquire a change of major form from the
Student Advising Center and follow the steps indicated. Internships: Practical application of classroom experience
through professional internships is mandatory for all majors. A student is expected to have completed at least 12 credits of appropriate course work prior to any internship and to have at least a 3.00 GPA. A student must complete three credits of
internship.
Advisement
Students are strongly encouraged to have all course work for the Journalism and Media Studies major approved in consultation
with an academic advisor in the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs Student Advising Center. Failure to seek academic
advising may result in the delay of graduation.
Recommended Courses that Meet General Education Core Requirements: The Greenspun College of Urban Affairs strongly recommends that students address their General Education Core curriculum requirements through our college. The following classes offered in our college meet graduation requirements. Constitution: PUA 241; Humanities: COM 101, 211, 216: Social Sciences: CRJ 104, 270, 435, 436, 438, 469, MFT 150, 360, SWK 101; Life and Physical Science: ENV 101; Multicultural: COM 412, CRJ 428, 429, MFT 225, SWK 465; International: CRJ 407, 411, JOUR 475, ENV 205, JOUR 475, SWK 493. In addition, incoming freshmen and transfer students under 30 credits are strongly encouraged to take COM 100 during their first year at UNLV. This course provides an overview of Journalism and Media Studies as well as offering helpful advice on achieving success as a college student.
Degree Requirements
Journalism / Media Studies
1) English Composition............................................. 6 credits
ENG 101 and 102
2) English Literature................................................ 3 credits
ENG 231 or 232
3) Constitutions.....................................................4-6 credits
4) Mathematics........................................................ 3 credits
5) Distribution Requirement (Humanites and Fine Arts)
Social Science...................................................... 9 credits
Life & Physical Sciences & Analytical Thinking....... 10 credits
PHIL 102, and two courses from life & physical sciences category; at least one must be a lab.
6) Multicultural...................................................... (see note)
International...................................................... (see note)
Journalism and Media Studies Pre:...................... 9 credits
JOUR 100, 101, 102
Journalism and Media Studies Core..................... 9 credits
Three of the following courses: JOUR 305, 401, 408, 413, 435, 450, 475, or 485. One of the three courses must be either JOUR 305, 401, or 413
Journalism and Media Studies Options..........14-15 credits
Broadcast Journalism: JOUR 202, 322, 325, and 424
Print Journalism: JOUR 310 and 486, plus two of the following: JOUR 241, 313, 333 or 420, 411, 435, 445, or 490; plus one other course from the major core courses (JOUR 401, 408, 413, or 435). Note: JOUR 333 and 420 may not both be taken to fulfill this requirement.
Integrated Marketing Communication: JOUR 261, 463, and 470, plus two of the following: JOUR 276, 332, 362, or 374
Media Studies: JOUR 220, 420, 435 and 485, plus one of the following: JOUR 202, 223, or 333
Professional Internships.............................................. 3 credits
Upper-Division Journalism and Media Studies Electives.. 8 credits
Required Minor....................................................18-24 credits
Electives (in consultation with student advisor)...14-22 credits
Total........................................................................ 124 credits
Note:
1. Every student must complete a three-credit multicultural course and a three-credit international course. Courses satisfying other requirements may simultaneously satisfy the multicultural and international requirements except one course cannot satisfy both the multicultural and the international requirements.