Program Overview

Introduction to the Journalism — Public Relations, BA Program

The Journalism — Public Relations, BA program at Western Washington University is designed to equip students with the theoretical and practical skills necessary for a career in journalism and public relations. The program focuses on supplying content for the ever-expanding world of mass media, with an emphasis on public relations.

Program Overview

• The program is located at WWU - Bellingham.
• It introduces students to the world of mass media, where journalists are responsible for gathering, analyzing, editing, and dispensing information to the public.
• The program covers various aspects of journalism, including news/editorial emphasis and public relations.

Why Consider the Public Relations Sequence of the Journalism Major?

• The public relations sequence adds communication skills important for careers in this rapidly growing field.
• Students gain practical experience on Western’s award-winning student media and take field internships with professional organizations.
• The program prepares students for careers in public relations, journalism, and other communication fields.

Student Resources

• Department website: Journalism
• Department advising: See the department’s steps to becoming a major for more information.
• Degree Works: Current students should log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
• Career Services Center: Connect major to a career.
• Sample Careers: Reporter, Editor, Customer Service Representative, Public Relations Specialist, Community Relations Director, TV News Anchor, Speech Writer, Advertising Copywriter, Copywriter, Market Research Analyst, Lobbyist, Photojournalist, Designer, Multimedia Producer, and all careers involving communication.

Admission and Declaration Process

Criteria for Declaring a Pre-Major

• 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.

Admissions

• 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.

Program Requirements (80 credits)

• JOUR 190 - Introduction to Mass Media (5 credits)
• JOUR 207 - Newswriting (4 credits)
• JOUR 309 - Editing (5 credits)
• JOUR 330 - Principles of Public Relations (4 credits)
• JOUR 350 - Mass Media Law (5 credits)
• JOUR 351 - Mass Media Ethics (4 credits)
• JOUR 380 - Advanced Public Relations Writing and Techniques (5 credits)
• JOUR 404 - Feature Writing (4 credits)
• JOUR 407 - Public Relations Case Studies (4 credits)
• JOUR 430 - Field Internship (6 credits)
• JOUR 440 - Public Relations Research and Campaigns (5 credits)
• JOUR 480 - Senior Seminar (5 credits)
• Two quarters on publication staff:
  • One course from the following:
    • JOUR 214 - The Front Staff (4 credits)
    • JOUR 314 - The Front Staff (4 credits)
    • JOUR 414 - The Front Staff (4 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.

University Graduation Requirements

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