Program Overview

Introduction to the Journalism — News/Editorial, BA Program

The Journalism — News/Editorial, BA program at Western Washington University is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the ever-evolving field of journalism. Journalists play a crucial role in supplying content, primarily news, for the mass media, and this program aims to prepare students for a wide range of careers in this field.

Why Consider a Journalism - News/Editorial Major?

The study of Journalism exposes students to current affairs and problems, from issues of campus governance to international news and concerns. Journalism students are expected to question, to challenge sources of information, and seek a variety of data and opinions on any serious issue. This set of skills is in demand in a host of fields beyond traditional mass media, making the Journalism - News/Editorial major an excellent choice for students looking for a challenging and rewarding career.

Program Requirements

The Journalism — News/Editorial, BA program requires a minimum of 80-81 credits. The requirements include:

• JOUR 190 - Introduction to Mass Media (5 credits)
• JOUR 207 - Newswriting (4 credits)
• JOUR 307 - Reporting (5 credits)
• JOUR 309 - Editing (5 credits)
• JOUR 340 - History of U.S. Journalism (4 credits)
• JOUR 350 - Mass Media Law (5 credits)
• JOUR 351 - Mass Media Ethics (4 credits)
• JOUR 404 - Feature Writing (4 credits)
• JOUR 430 - Field Internship (6 credits)
• JOUR 450 - Advanced Reporting (5 credits)
• JOUR 480 - Senior Seminar (5 credits)
• Three quarters on publication staff:
  • Two courses from the following:
    • JOUR 214 - The Front Staff (4 credits)
    • JOUR 314 - The Front Staff (4 credits)
    • JOUR 414 - The Front Staff (4 credits)
    • JOUR 415 - The Front Editorship (5 credits)
  • One course from the following:
    • JOUR 321 - Klipsun Staff (4 credits)
    • JOUR 421 - Klipsun Staff (4 credits)
• Additional JOUR elective under department advisement for a minimum of 4 credits.
• 12 upper-division credits in another academic area under departmental advisement.

Admission and Declaration Process

To be eligible to declare as a pre-major in journalism, a student must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. Transfer students will be accepted during their first quarter on campus. Freshmen must complete one quarter of classes at WWU to establish a GPA before being considered as a pre-major. Current WWU students must show evidence of the required 2.5 GPA. Students are encouraged to declare as a pre-major while completing the requirements for the major.

For admission to the major, a student must have completed the following requirements:

• Complete at least 30 college credits with a cumulative 2.50 grade point average
• Pass JOUR 207 with a B- or better
• Complete one Journalism staff course (JOUR 214, JOUR 314, JOUR 321) with a B- or better

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors. Cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher in major is required.

University Graduation Requirements

General University Requirements include:

• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement

The Journalism — News/Editorial, BA program at Western Washington University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in journalism, preparing them for a wide range of careers in this field. With its rigorous curriculum and experienced faculty, this program is an excellent choice for students looking to succeed in the ever-evolving world of journalism.