2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Journalism Major


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Program Coordinator/Contact
Mary Arnold, Department Head
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
Yeager Hall 211
605-688-4171
E-mail: mary.arnold@sdstate.edu
www.sdstate.edu/mcom

Click here for additional information. 

Program Information
A degree in journalism prepares students with essential skills including: writing, speaking, critical thinking and technology. Graduates are well-positioned for a wide variety of careers, ranging from traditional media to business to non-profit organizations. MCOM students may pursue a B.A. or B.S. in Journalism. Students may choose from departmental emphases: News-Editorial Journalism Emphasis or Broadcast Journalism Emphasis.

  • News-Editorial Journalism Emphasis. Students who want to be reporters, editors or page designers for print and online media, photojournalists and those seeking employment in corporate or government communications take this emphasis.
  • Broadcast Journalism Emphasis. Students who want to pursue careers in digital video storytelling for radio, television or online media and corporate environments take this emphasis.

Academic Requirements
Journalism majors  must have a “C” or better in Freshman Composition; must have a graduation average of 2.5 in journalism and mass communication courses; take a minimum of 80 credit hours outside of journalism and mass communication with a minimum of 65 credit hours in the liberal arts and sciences, and must have grades of “C” or better in all major courses.

Equipment and Supplies
Students are also encouraged to purchase a laptop (Macintosh preferred) and software appropriate for the discipline.

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure
The Department is accredited by the national accrediting body of journalism and mass communication, the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC).

Course Delivery Format
The Journalism major is offered both at the main campus in Brookings and at the University Center in Sioux Falls. The department offers coursework in classroom, studio, online, and field-based settings.

Requirements for Journalism Major: 120 Credits


Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements*: 30


Institutional Graduation Requirements**: 5


College of Arts & Sciences Requirements: 17-34


Bachelor of Arts 

  • Modern Languages Credits: 3-14 (completion and competency in one language at the 202 level or a department-approved advanced upper division language course)
  • Social Sciences  Credits: 8
  • Humanities  Credits: 6

Bachelor of Science 

SGRs, IGRs, and/or Major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Consult program advisor for details. See the College of Arts and Sciences  for additional information about Bachelor of Arts Specifications  and Bachelor of Science Specifications .

Emphasis: 20


Choose one of the following suggested emphases.

Broadcast Journalism Emphasis


News-Editorial Emphasis


General Electives: 15-32


Total Required Credits: 120


Curriculum Notes


* The 30 credit Board of Regents System General Education Requirements (SGRs) must be completed as part of a student’s first 64 credits.

** South Dakota State University has a 5 credit Institutional Graduation Requirement (IGRs).

(G) Globalization Requirement.

(AW) Advanced Writing Requirement.

Students must take the proficiency examination after completing 48 credits. English 101, and a course in each of the General Education areas of social science, mathematics, natural science, and humanities and arts must be taken prior to taking this exam.

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