A degree in Journalism and Media Communication features a powerful multimedia curriculum that invites creativity.  Required courses inspire communication expertise, critical thinking skills, and conceptual understanding. Advanced courses provide specialized media skillsets. The department built its curriculum to offer preparation for three broad career fields.

JOURNALISM and Storytelling

If you enjoy developing and sharing relevant stories, consider a Journalism and Storytelling focus.  Journalists cover important events, trends, and circumstances, gather information and media, then craft factual stories for readers, listeners, and viewers. Technology advances continue to disrupt traditional reporting practices and funding options. But technology also expands the potential reach and influence of journalists. This makes news gathering and dissemination more immediate, global, and responsive. JMC faculty at CSU regularly develop new courses and programs to provide state-of-the art skills, and relevant conceptual approaches for students in on-campus and online programs.

MEDIA Production

Are you interested in a career as a creative media maker? If so, you will need to develop and master skills that demonstrate storytelling expertise in video, audio, photos, graphics, websites, publications, charts, drawings, and social media. This requires conceptual and practical knowledge, as well as exposure to state-of-the-art hardware and software. In JMC, you will work on both PC and Mac computer platforms. You also will have access to the complete Microsoft Office, and Adobe Creative Software suites. JMC has a large collection of DSLR, video, and drone cameras for photography, or single and multi-camera remote video production. Studios are available for professional audio and video production.  All students in JMC have complete access to thousands of professional educational programs through LinkedIn Learning.

Strategic COMMUNICATION

If you see yourself using communication and media to advance the goals of an organization, this is for you. Strategic communicators work in advertising, public relations, promotions, branding, and marketing for corporations, government institutions, small companies, or non-profit groups. They plan, research, create, target, and distribute messages. The goal may be to inform audiences about products and services, improve an organization’s image, or to create and enhance the brand of a product, individual, or group. A top strategic communicator influences audiences by understanding quality media of all types, using messages and tactics through a variety of channels, including press releases and advertisements, email, commercials, social media, online audio and video streaming platforms, websites, and planned events.

How it works

Students customize a course of study according to their individual goals. It starts by building a strong foundation in writing, communication technology, and conceptual understanding. Then it's on to a career-specific path through courses in writing, reporting, editing, public relations, advertising, television, web design, and scientific or technical communication, among others. Advisers work closely with students to help shape customized skill sets. For a list of how courses can apply to specific career tracks, see the department’s career advising supplement.

Students complete at least 40 credits in the department, including a senior capstone course and an internship or practicum. In addition to the All University Core Curriculum (AUCC), students select 21 or more subject-specific credits outside of the department to develop a secondary field of expertise. This requirement can be satisfied by completing an academic minor, a second major, or with a group of related courses. Examples include, but are not limited to minors in Business, Political Science, or Information Science and Technology. When academic minors aren’t available in a student’s interest area, students work with their advisers to select a content focus and courses to match their interests.

All students should examine the curriculum check sheet and course list to get a complete overview of the Journalism and Media Communication graduation requirements. The Degree Progress Audit (DARS) is available on RAMweb and is the best tool for students to track their progress toward graduation. To register for special courses, please fill out our Special Course Form.