Major RequirementsUse our interactive major requirements page or use the list below to find the Journalism major requirements.
-
Journal 300, Newswriting & Reporting. (Journal 300 satisfies the Junior Year Writing requirement.) NOTE: We advise students to take Journalism 300 during the second semester of your sophomore year, or anytime during your junior year.
-
One advanced writing course offered through Journalism. There are several advanced writing courses offered each semester. The advanced writing courses may be identified as those courses that are worth four credits and have Journ 300 as a prerequisite.
-
Any two of the following six courses:
Journal 312, Journalism & Law
Journal 320, History of American Journalism
Journal 345, Media Criticism
Journal 360, Journalism Ethics
Journal 450, Freedom of the Press
Journal 493LJ, Literary Journalism in the 20th Century
Journal 493H, Literary Journalism in the 20th Century -
At least four additional Journalism elective courses for a total of at least 26 credits in Journalism courses. All credits must be graded; pass/fail credits do not count toward the major, nor do practicum or internship credits. No more than three credits of Independent Study may be applied to the major.
-
An academic minor in another department or program. Please note that, if applicable, your minor and Global Educationi classes may overlap. You have several options.
Option 1: Complete an Official Minor
An official minor is the completion of the department’s requirements for a minor. Contact the department or check its web site to find out the requirements. Most minors are 15 credits and may require one or two specific courses with the remaining credits filled by electives. Most will ask you to come back when you have completed the required courses at which time they will sign “The Official Declaration of Minor” form, which goes to the Registrar’s Office. An official minor will appear on your transcript.
Option 2: Complete a Concentration
You are strongly encouraged to complete an official minor wherever it is available. However, there are some circumstances where that might not be practical or possible. You may then complete a concentration in the field, which requires completing 15 credits of courses at the 200 level or above. A concentration may be approved by Journalism under the following circumstances:
• If the department of your choice does not have an official minor.
• If the department does not allow transfer courses to be applied to the minor. Journalism will accept your classes from another school, if UMass has accepted the credits.
• If the department you are minoring in requires you to complete 18 credits but you do not have the time to complete that last class, Journalism will accept the 15 credits already taken in that field.
• If you are interested in putting together a concentration of related courses from several different departments.
All concentrations require approval from the Journalism advisor.
Option 3: Complete a Certificate or Second Major
The completion of a certificate or a second major fulfills the minor requirement. This applies to all majors, except for Communication. If your second major is Communication, you must still complete a minor in another field.
