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Journalism and Media Studies
The School of Journalism and Media Studies prepares students for careers in advertising;
broadcast, print, and online journalism; public relations, and other media industries; as well
as for jobs in a technologically driven workforce whose future media forms cannot be predicted.
Students within JMS are part of a School that envisions a global society where citizens are engaged in their communities, where media professionals are ethical and committed to social justice, and embrace technology to serve the public good; and where people from all backgrounds think critically about the media.
Program Overview
The School of Journalism and Media Studies offers four undergraduate degree options as well as a master’s degree:
- Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism
- Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with an emphasis in Advertising
- Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations
- Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with a specialization in Media Studies
- Master of Arts degree in Communication with a specialization in Mass Communication and Media Studies
Competency is required in one foreign language as part of the preparation for the major. Students also are required to take a set of core classes in global communication and technology, ethics and law, and research methods for professional communicators. Students should contact the JMS Undergraduate Advising Center for information about appropriate elective courses.
All majors within the School of Journalism and Media Studies are impacted programs. 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; public relations firms; and advertising agencies. 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 for Professional Journalists, the Radio-Television News Directors Association, and the Public Relations Student Society of America. These groups sponsor activities that provide opportunities to develop contacts with working professionals.
- All writing, editing, and online courses within the School of Journalism and Media Studies are taught in the school's modern Macintosh laboratories. Students also edit and produce news programs in settings replicating professional environments.
Faculty Highlights
All full-time faculty have professional media experience and doctorates in communication, mass communication, or related fields. Part-time instructors are all experienced media professionals, and most have earned higher degrees. Faculty are highly respected nationally and internationally for their scholarly work, and many also author the top textbooks in their fields.
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities for JMS graduates include a wide range of positions in advertising, public relations, book editing and publishing, free-lance writing, radio and television journalism, magazine writing, media research, newspaper journalism, online writing and design, 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 Advertising, Journalism, Media Studies, and Public Relations programs 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 New Student Orientation programs. To order a catalog, call (619) 594-7535.
Contact Information
Mailing address:
School of Journalism and Media Studies
College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-4561
Email: jmsdesk@mail.sdsu.edu
Telephone: (619) 594-5450
Fax: (619) 594-6246
Office location: PSFA building, Room 361
Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.