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Journalism
A
degree in Journalism prepares students for careers in broadcast media
and informational and interpretative multimedia environments. Graduates
with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism can expect to earn a career
in writing, reporting and/or editing.
The courses offered by the journalism program are designed to give students the skills, concepts, and values needed to succeed as competent professional communicators. They focus on the basic elements of factual and analytical writing, editing, communication law and theory, history, ethics, and responsibility in the mass media. Being a journalist requires knowledge of society, the role of government, the economic and political structure of the environment, and how the natural world works. To prepare the student with this background knowledge, the journalism program requires that the majority of course work revolve around subjects outside of journalism.
Program Overview
The university's School of Communication offers the Bachelor of Arts Degree in journalism. Competency is required in one foreign language as part of the preparation for the major. Upper-division course work includes designated courses in communication and journalism, such as Principles of Journalism; Law of Communication; News Editing; Information Gathering and Reporting; Public Affairs Reporting; and Radio-TV News Writing and Editing. Journalism students should contact the journalism undergraduate adviser for information about appropriate elective courses.
The Journalism major is an impacted program. Find out more information regarding the impaction.
Special Features
- Work experience: The internship program offers students hands-on training while being under the guidance of professionals in professional settings. Many of these internships are offered through San Diego-based businesses, including newspapers, magazines, and radio and television stations. In addition, students are offered on-campus opportunities. The Daily Aztec, the campus newspaper, provides students with first-hand knowledge of the newspaper business. KCR, the campus radio station, offers students broadcasting experience. And KPBS, a broadcast service of SDSU, provides students with opportunities for employment, internships, and volunteer positions.
- Student organizations include chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Radio-Television News Directors Association. These groups sponsor activities that provide opportunities to develop contacts with working professionals. Kappa Tau Alpha, the national journalism honorary society, also has a chapter on campus.
- All writing courses within the Department of Journalism are taught in the school's Macintosh laboratories where students use computers, simulating a newsroom environment. Students edit and produce news programs in settings replicating professional environments.
Faculty Highlights
All full-time faculty have professional journalism experience and doctorates in communication or related fields. Part-time instructors are all experienced journalists.
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities for journalism graduates include a wide range of opportunities in book editing and publishing, free-lance writing, industrial journalism, magazines, communication research, news agencies, newspapers, radio, television, online communication, and teaching.
To further explore career options in this field, visit the Career Services Web site for more information.
General Catalog
You can view more complete information regarding the Journalism program in the General Catalog. All students are responsible for reading and knowing the information pertinent to their areas of study available in the General Catalog. It contains requirements for all academic majors, course descriptions, policies, and regulations governing progress at the University. Catalogs are distributed at all Academic Orientation programs. To order a catalog, call (619) 594-7535.
Contact Information
Mailing address:
School
of Communication
College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-4561
Email: soc@mail.sdsu.edu
Telephone: (619) 594-5450
Fax: (619) 594-6246
Office location: PSFA building, Room 361
Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm