UMass Entry Fall 2018 or Later
Please note: These requirements are for if you started at UMass Amherst in Fall 2018 or later. Even if you are switching into Journalism from another major but started at UMass Amherst prior to Fall 2018, you fall under the old requirements (below this set).
Please note that the Sports Journalism Concentration and the Public Relations Concentration have their own specific requirements. You can read the Journalism Department's Student Learning Objectives here.
General Journalism Requirements:
1. Journal 191: Journalism Success (1 cr.) (recommended)
2. Journal 201: Intro to Journalism (4 cr.)
3. Journal 300: Newswriting and Reporting (4 cr.)
4. Journal 460: Journalism Ethics (3 cr.) (pre-req. Journal 300)
5. One advanced writing/reporting course (4 cr.) (pre-req. Journal 300)
- Journal 332: Sports Journalism
- Journal 336: Writing for Public Relations
- Journal 391J: Food Writing
- Journal 392S: Opinion Writing: Columns
- Journal 395L: Science Journalism
- Journal 397G: Multimedia Journalism (pre-req: Journal 301)
- Journal 410: Social Justice Journalism
- Journal 433: Photojournalism (pre-req. Journal 333)
- Journal 434: Radio and Podcasting II (pre-req. Journal 334)
- Journal 492M: Magazine Writing
- Journal 497B: Diaries, Memoirs & Journals
- Journal 497M: Longform Narrative
- Journal 497N: Columns, Essays and Reviews
6. Two multimedia/visual courses from the following menu (3 or 4 cr.):
- Journal 277: Sports Talk Live
- Journal 301: Intro to Multimedia Journalism (pre-req. Journal 300)
- Journal 333: Intro to Visual Storytelling (sophomores and up)
- Journal 334: Intro to Radio and Podcasting (pre-req. Journal 300)
- Journal 339: Video Content Creation (pre-req. Journal 300)
- Journal 343: Data-Driven Storytelling (pre-req. Journal 300)
- Journal 341: Images in Sports
- Journal 390B: Digital Sports Production I
- Journal 390C: Digital Sports Production II (pre-req Journal 390B)
- Journal 397G: Multimedia Journalism (pre-reqs. Journal 300 & 301, or instructor permission)
- Journal 435: Web Design for Journalists (pre-reqs. junior or senior status)
- Journal 444: Short-Form Documentary (pre-req. Journal 300)
- Journal 495BP: Broadcast Performance (pre-req. Journal 300)
- Journal 495N: Broadcast News Reporting II (pre-req. Journal 300 & 339)
7. One concepts and critical thinking course from the following menu (3 or 4 cr.):
- Journal 320: History of American Journalism
- Journal 345: Media Criticism
- Journal 380: The Black Freedom Struggle and the Mass Media
- Journal 390G: Reporting on Gender and Sexuality
- Journal 394MI: Media, Technology and Culture
- Journal 392T: Issues in Sports
- Journal 445: Journalism & Law
8. One international course from the following menu (3 or 4 cr.):
- Journal 310: International Journalism
- Journal 225: Readings in Journalism (international focus)
- One course, departmentally and IPO approved, taken during study abroad
- One foreign language course at any level
- One course from the SBS International and Intercultural Course List
9. Two additional Journalism elective courses (any 3- or 4-credit Journalism courses). All credits must be graded; pass/fail credits do not count toward the major, nor do practicum, co-op or internship credits. No more than three credits of Independent Study may be applied to the major.
10. Another area of study of at least 15 credits– a major, minor, or certificate.
UMass Entry Prior to Fall 2018
Requirements for students entering the major during or after the Fall 2013 semester.
If Journalism is your primary major, you also need to fulfill Global Ed requirements.
Learn more about the Sports Journalism Certificate requirements here.
1. Journal 300: Newswriting and Reporting (to be taken during sophomore or junior year).
2. Two Advanced Writing/Reporting courses (any of the 4-credit courses we offer that have Journ 300 as a pre-requisite, as well as Journal 341: Images in Sports and Journal 277: Sports Talk Live)
3. One Multimedia course. Choose from the following:
- Journal 301: Intro to Multimedia Journalism (pre-req. Journal 300)
- Journal 333: Intro to Visual Storytelling
- Journal 334: Intro to Radio and Podcasting
- Journal 343: Data-driven Storytelling
- Journal 397G: Multimedia Journalism
- Journal 435: Web Design for Journalists
4. Two of the following courses:
- Journal 320: History of American Journalism
- Journal 345: Media Criticism
- Journal 380: The Black Freedom Struggle and the Mass Media
- Journal 394MI: Media, Technology and Culture
- Journal 445: Journalism & Law
- Journal 460: Journalism Ethics
5. Two additional Journalism elective courses (any 3- or 4-credit Journalism courses). All credits must be graded; pass/fail credits do not count toward the major, nor do practicum, co-op or internship credits. No more than three credits of Independent Study may be applied to the major.
6. An academic minor in another department or program, except for Communication. Another major or a certificate will also satisfy this requirement. Students who joined the major during Fall 2015 or later may select a double major in Communication for this requirement.
UMass Entry Prior to Fall 2018
Requirements for students entering the major before the Fall 2013 semester
1. Journal 300: Newswriting and Reporting. Journalism 300 satisfies the Junior Year Writing requirement.
2. One Advanced Writing/Reporting course. Advanced writing courses are 4 credits and have Journalism 300 as a prerequisite.
3. Two of the following courses:
- Journal 320: History of American Journalism
- Journal 345: Media Criticism
- Journal 380: The Black Freedom Struggle and the Mass Media
- Journal 394MI: Media, Technology and Culture
- Journal 445: Journalism & Law
- Journal 460: Journalism Ethics
4. At least four additional elective courses. All credits must be graded; pass/fail credits do not count toward the major, nor do practicum, co-op or internship credits. No more than three credits of Independent Study may be applied to the major.
5. An academic minor in another department or program, except for Communication. Another major or a certificate will also satisfy this requirement. Please note that, if applicable, your minor and Global Education classes may overlap.
Questions? Email your academic advisor.