The Department of Journalism consistently ranks among the best journalism programs in the country. It is housed in a college professionally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. The department's mission is to teach the art and craft of journalism and to foster an appreciation for accuracy, fairness, truth, and diversity.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.
The courses enable students to develop their storytelling talent - in words or visuals - and prepare them for careers in all kinds of media professions, including as writers, photographers, editor designers, multimedia storytellers, and more. The flexible curriculum allows students to work in all kinds of traditional and new media platforms. Excellent writing skills are essential. Graduates of the program work with major journalism and media companies and have won prolific honors, including the Pulitzer Prize.
In this curriculum, core courses offer students foundational skills and professional electives and capstones allow students to develop strengths and specialization in one or more areas.
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Journalism
Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan
Required Core Coursework
- JOU 3101 Reporting * (3)
- JOU 3109C Multimedia Writing * (3)
- JOU 3110 Applied Fact Finding * (3)
- JOU 4201 News Center Practicum * (3)
- MMC 1009 Introduction to Media and Communications * (1)
- MMC 2604 Mass Media and You * (3)
- MMC 2121 Writing Fundamentals for Communicators * (3)
- MMC 3030 Personal Branding for Communicators * (1)
- MMC 3203 Ethics and Problems in Mass Communications * (3)
- MMC 4200 Law of Mass Communication (3)
- VIC 3001 Sight, Sound and Motion * (4)
- Capstone Course * (3)
- Professional electives: 19 credits *
Students select a capstone course in an area of specialization in the last semester. With an advisor, the student maps electives and prereqs that lead toward the capstone course.
Capstone Courses, by Emphasis Area
- Editing: JOU 4202 Advanced Editing and Design
- Design: JOU 4214 Advanced Design
- Magazines: JOU 4447C Applied Magazine Publishing or
JOU 4311 Advanced Magazine Writing
- Online Media: JOU 4950 Applied Online Journalism
- Photojournalism: JOU 4605 Advanced Photojournalism 2
- Reporting: JOU 4111 Advanced Reporting or
JOU 4123 Investigative Reporting
- Journalism Studies: JOU 4008 Journalism Studies
Selecting an area of emphasis does not preclude students from taking courses in other areas. Students are able to create personalized degree plans in collaboration with advisors.
* Minimum grades of C are required in all journalism courses.
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Critical Tracking
Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- Complete 1 of 6 critical tracking courses: MMC 1009, ENC 1102, MMC 2604, STA 2023, ECO 2013, JOU 3109C
- 2.0 GPA on all work at all institutions
Semester 2
- Complete an additional 2 of 6 critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.5 GPA on all work at all institutions
Semester 3
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.5 GPA on all work at all institutions
Semester 4
- Complete all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.5 GPA on all work at all institutions
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Model Semester Plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
AMH 2020 United States since 1877
State Core GE-S |
3 |
IUF 1000 What is the Good Life
GE-C; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
ENC 1101 Expository and Argumentative Writing
State Core GE-C; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
MMC 1009 Introduction to Media and Communications
Minimum grade of C required |
1 |
THE 2000 Theatre Appreciation or
ARH 2000 Art Appreciation
State Core GE-H, D |
3 |
Mathematics
State Core GE-M; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
ENC 1102 Argument and Persuasion
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
MMC 2121 Writing Fundamentals for Communicators
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
MMC 2604 Mass Media and You
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
MUL 2010 Experiencing Music
GE-H; N |
3 |
Biological or Physical Science
State Core GE-B/P; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
CPO 2001 Comparative Politics or
INR 2001 Introduction to International Relations or
POS 2112 American State and Local Government (preferred) (GE-S) |
3 |
JOU 3109C Multimedia Writing
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
SPC 2608 Introduction to Public Speaking or
ORI 2000 Oral Performance of Literature 1
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1
GE-M; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Biological or Physical Science
GE-B/P; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Foreign language (Minimum grade of C required) or
Quantitative option |
3 |
| Total |
18 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics
GE-S |
4 |
POS 2041 American Federal Government
GE-S |
3 |
JOU 3101 Reporting
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
JOU 3110 Applied Fact Finding
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Foreign language (Minimum grade of C required) or
Quantitative option |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
JOU 4201 News Center Practicum
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
MMC 3030 Personal Branding
Minimum grade of C required |
1 |
VIC 3001 Sight, Sound and Motion
Minimum grade of C required |
4 |
| Outside concentration |
3 |
Professional electives
Minimum grade of C required |
5 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
| MMC 3203 Ethics and Problems in Mass Communications |
3 |
| Outside concentration |
3 |
Professional electives
Minimum grade of C required |
9 |
| Total |
15 |
For semesters 7-8, students must complete two professional courses.
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
Elective
Outside college |
3 |
English elective
WR-6; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
| Outside concentration |
3 |
Professional electives
Minimum grade of C required |
5 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
JOU capstone course
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
| MMC 4200 Law of Mass Communication |
3 |
Electives
Outside college |
5 |
| Outside concentration |
3 |
| Total |
14 |
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Professional Electives: 19 credits
Minimum grade of C required in these courses
| Courses |
Credits |
|---|
| JOU 3184 Beat Reporting |
3 |
| JOU 3411 Design |
3 |
| JOU 3413 Magazine Design |
3 |
| JOU 3601 Photojournalism |
3 |
| JOU 4004 History of Journalism |
3 |
| JOU 4121 Journalism Research |
3 |
| JOU 4301 Literary Journalism |
3 |
| JOU 4302 Public Opinion and Editorial Analysis |
3 |
| JOU 4308 Magazine and Feature Writing |
3 |
| JOU 4313C Sports Reporting |
3 |
| JOU 4341 Reporting and Writing for Online Media |
3 |
| JOU 4510 Magazine Management |
3 |
| JOU 4603 Specialized Journalistic Photography |
3 |
| JOU 4604 Advanced Photojournalism 1 |
3 |
| JOU 4905 Independent Study |
1-3 |
| JOU 4930 Special Study in Journalism |
1-3 |
| JOU 4943 Photojournalism Practicum |
1 |
| JOU 4940 Internship |
1-3 |
| MMC 3260 Communications on the Internet |
3 |
| MMC 3703 Sports Media and Society |
3 |
| MMC 3614 Media and Politics |
3 |
| MMC 4302 World Communication Systems |
3 |
| MMC 4341L Advanced Online Media Production |
3 |
| PGY 3610 Survey of Photojournalism |
2 |
| RTV 3405 Television and American Society |
3 |
| RTV 3411 Race, Gender, Class and the Media |
3 |
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Sports and Media
Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan
The Sports and Media specialization in Journalism teaches students to be skilled in multiples areas of sports media and communications. Students will learn strategies and skills in reporting, writing, video, audio, social media, and more. Students will engage in critical thinking about current issues and trends in today’s sports media—and have multiple opportunities to gain practical and immersive experience in media properties inside and outside of the College of Journalism and Communications.
The Sports and Media specialization is not available for IA
Required Core Coursework: 21 Credits
- MMC 2740 Introduction to Sports and Media * (1)
- MMC 2121 Writing Fundamentals for Communicators * (3)
- JOU 3109C Multimedia Writing * (3)
- JOU 3101 Reporting * (3)
- VIC 3001 Sight, Sound and Motion * (4)
- PUR 3000 Principles of Public Relations * (3)
- MMC 4200 Law of Mass Communication * (3)
- JOU 4930 Media Numeracy * (1)
Sports and Media Core Coursework: 22 Credits
- RTV 3593 Multimedia Sports Reporting * (3)
- RTV 4929C Sports Production * (3)
- JOU 4313C Sports Reporting * (3)
- PUR 3463 Sports Communication * (3)
- MMC 3703 Sports Media and Society * (3)
- MMC 3210 Sports Media Law and Ethics * (3)
- JOU 4940 Internship (in sports and media) * (1)
- JOU 4201 Editing/News Center Practicum (sports specialization) * (3)
* Minimum grades of C are required in all sports and media courses.
Professional electives: 9 credits
Must be taken in the College of Journalism and Communications
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Critical Tracking
Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- Complete 1 of 5 critical tracking courses: MMC 2740, ENC 1102, STA 2023, ECO 2013, JOU 3109C
- 2.0 GPA on all work at all institutions
Semester 2
- Complete an additional 1 of 5 critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.5 GPA on all work at all institutions
Semester 3
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.5 GPA on all work at all institutions
Semester 4
- Complete all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.5 GPA on all work at all institutions
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Model Semester Plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
AMH 2020 United States since 1877
State Core GE-S |
3 |
IUF 1000 What is the Good Life
GE-C; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
ENC 1101 Expository and Argumentative Writing
State Core GE-C; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
MMC 2740 Introduction to Media and Sports
Minimum grade of C required |
1 |
THE 2000 Theatre Appreciation or
ARH 2000 Art Appreciation
State Core GE-H, D |
3 |
Mathematics
State Core GE-M; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
ENC 1102 Argument and Persuasion
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
MMC 2121 Writing Fundamentals for Communicators
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
MMC 3703 Sports Media and Society
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
MUL 2010 Experiencing Music
GE-H, N |
3 |
Biological or Physical Science
State Core GE-B/P; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
CPO 2001 Comparative Politics or
INR 2001 Introduction to International Relations or
POS 2112 American State and Local Government (preferred) (GE-S) |
3 |
JOU 3109C Multimedia Writing
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
SPC 2608 Introduction to Public Speaking or
ORI 2000 Oral Performance of Literature 1
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1
GE-M; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Biological or Physical Science
GE-B/P; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Foreign language (Minimum grade of C required) or
Quantitative option |
3 |
| Total |
18 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics
GE-S |
4 |
POS 2041 American Federal Government
GE-S |
3 |
JOU 3101 Reporting
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
PUR 3000 Principles of Public Relations
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Foreign language (Minimum grade of C required) or
Quantitative option |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
| JOU 4201 News Center Practicum |
3 |
| JOU 4930 Media Numeracy |
1 |
VIC 3001 Sight, Sound and Motion
Minimum grade of C required |
4 |
| Outside concentration |
3 |
Professional electives
Minimum grade of C required |
5 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
| MMC 3210 Sports Media Law and Ethics |
3 |
PUR 3463 Sports Communication
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
| RTV 3593 Multimedia Sports Reporting |
3 |
| Outside concentration |
3 |
Professional elective
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
For semesters 7-8, students must complete two professional courses.
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
JOU 4313C Sports Reporting
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
| RTV 4929C Senior Advanced Workshop in Telecommunication Production |
3 |
Elective
Outside college |
3 |
English elective
WR-6; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
| Outside concentration |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| JOU 4940 Journalism Internship |
1 |
| MMC 4200 Law of Mass Communication |
3 |
Professional elective
Minimum grade of C required |
2 |
Electives
Outside college |
4 |
| Outside concentration |
3 |
| Total |
13 |
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Professional Electives: 9 credits
Minimum grade of C required in these courses
| Courses |
Credits |
|---|
| JOU 3110 Fact Finding |
3 |
| JOU 3184 Beat Reporting |
3 |
| JOU 3305 Data Journalism |
3 |
| JOU 3411 Design |
3 |
| JOU 3413 Magazine Design |
3 |
| JOU 3601 Photojournalism |
3 |
| JOU 3920 Professional Practice |
1 |
| JOU 4004 History of Journalism |
3 |
| JOU 4121 Journalism Research |
3 |
| JOU 4301 Literary Journalism |
3 |
| JOU 4302 Public Opinion and Editorial Analysis |
3 |
| JOU 4308 Magazine and Feature Writing |
3 |
| JOU 4341 Reporting and Writing for Online Media |
3 |
| JOU 4510 Magazine Management |
3 |
| JOU 4603 Specialized Journalistic Photography |
3 |
| JOU 4604 Advanced Photojournalism 1 |
3 |
| JOU 4905 Independent Study |
1-3 |
| JOU 4930 Special Study in Journalism |
1-3 |
| JOU 4943 Photojournalism Practicum |
1 |
| JOU 4940 Internship |
1-3 |
| MMC 3030 Personal Branding |
1 |
| MMC 3260 Communications on the Internet |
3 |
| MMC 3614 Media and Politics |
3 |
| MMC 4302 World Communication Systems |
3 |
| MMC 4341L Advanced Online Media Production |
3 |
| PGY 3610 Survey of Photojournalism |
2 |
| RTV 3405 Television and American Society |
3 |
| RTV 3411 Race, Gender, Class and the Media |
3 |
Up to six credits of professional internship credit may count toward graduation.
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Equipment Requirement
All students who major in journalism are required to own a Mac laptop computer with the appropriate software, a digital audio recorder and a digital camera.
Equipment Requirement Details
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Related Journalism Programs
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