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.
Overview
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
32 credits
- JOU 3101 Reporting * (3)
- JOU 3110 Applied Fact Finding * (3)
- JOU 3346L Multimedia Reporting * (3)
- JOU 4950 Applied Journalism * (3)
- MMC 1009 Introduction to Media and Communications * (1)
- MMC 2450 Data Literacy for Communicators * (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 3254 Media Entrepreneurship * (1)
- MMC 4200 Law of Mass Communication * (3)
- VIC 3001 Sight, Sound and Motion * (4)
* Minimum grades of C are required in all journalism courses.
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Pre-Approved Two-Course Sequences
6 credits
Students select a two-course sequence in an area of specialization. Students may work with an advisor and the department chair to customize a plan. Students must have appropriate prereqs to enter the first course in the specialization. Students must take course 1 before JOU 4950 and can be simultaneously enrolled in course 2 with JOU 4950, but it is preferred that both courses are completed before taking JOU 4950.
Minimum grade of C required in these courses
| First Course
|
Second Course
|
|---|
| JOU 3213 Design |
JOU 4214 Advanced Design |
| JOU 3305 Data Journalism |
JOU 4930 Data Visualization |
| JOU 3363 Intro to Web Apps for Communicators |
JOU 4364 Advanced Web Apps for Communicators |
| JOU 4111 Advanced Reporting |
JOU 4123 Investigative Reporting |
| JOU 4201 News Center Practicum |
JOU 4202 Advanced News Center Practicum |
| JOU 4308 Magazine and Feature Writing |
JOU 4311 Advanced Magazine Writing or
JOU 4447C Applied Magazines
|
| JOU 4604 Advanced Photojournalism 1 |
JOU 4605 Advanced Photojournalism 2 or
JOU 4930 Video Storytelling
|
| JOU 4930 Audience Engagement |
JOU 4930 Advanced Social Media |
| Specialized reporting/writing course 1 |
Specialized reporting/writing course 2 |
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 an advisor.
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Professional Electives
14 credits
Students may take any other courses in the College of Journalism and Communications to count as electives, including other courses in two-course sequences. Students are encouraged to work with faculty members to construct electives that best meet career goals.
Up to six credits of professional internship credit may count toward graduation.
Minimum grade of C required in these courses
| Courses |
Credits |
|---|
| ADV 3008 Principles of Advertising |
3 |
| JOU 3109C Multimedia Writing |
3 |
| JOU 3184 Beat Reporting |
3 |
| JOU 3212 Magazine Design |
3 |
| JOU 3213 Design |
3 |
| JOU 3305 Data Journalism |
3 |
| JOU 3363 Introduction to Web Apps for Communicators |
3 |
| JOU 3601 Photojournalism |
3 |
| JOU 3920 Professional Practice |
1 |
| JOU 4004 History of Journalism |
3 |
| JOU 4008 Journalism Studies |
3 |
| JOU 4111 Advanced Reporting |
3 |
| JOU 4121 Journalism Research |
3 |
| JOU 4123 Investigative Reporting |
3 |
| JOU 4201 News Center Practicum |
3 |
| JOU 4202 Advanced News Center Practicum |
3 |
| JOU 4214 Advanced Design |
3 |
| JOU 4301 Literary Journalism |
3 |
| JOU 4308 Magazine and Feature Writing |
3 |
| JOU 4311 Advanced Magazine Writing |
3 |
| JOU 4313C Sports Reporting |
3 |
| JOU 4342 Reporting and Writing for Online Media |
3 |
| JOU 4364 Advanced Web Apps for Communicators |
3 |
| JOU 4447C Applied Magazines |
3 |
| JOU 4510 Magazine Management |
3 |
| JOU 4603 Specialized Journalistic Photography |
3 |
| JOU 4604 Advanced Photojournalism 1 |
3 |
| JOU 4605 Advanced Photographic Journalism 2 |
3 |
| JOU 4700 Problems and Ethics of Journalism in Society |
3 |
| JOU 4905 Independent Study |
1-3 |
| JOU 4910 Journalism Undergrad Research |
0-3 |
| JOU 4930 Special Study in Journalism |
1-3 |
| JOU 4940 Journalism Internship |
1-3 |
| MMC 3254 Media Entrepreneurship |
1 |
| MMC 3260 Communications on the Internet |
3 |
| MMC 3420 Consumer and Audience Analytics |
3 |
| MMC 3614 Media and Politics |
3 |
| MMC 3702 Rock ‘n Roll and American Society |
3 |
| MMC 3703 Sports Media and Society |
3 |
| MMC 4302 World Communication Systems |
3 |
| MMC 4341L Advanced Online Media Production |
3 |
| PGY 3610 Survey of Photojournalism |
2 |
| PUR 3000 Principles of Public Relations |
2 |
| RTV 3405 Television and American Society |
3 |
| Other courses in ADV, PUR, and RTV may be taken with department approval |
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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 3101
- 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. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.
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 3101 Reporting
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
VIC 3001 Sight, Sound and Motion
Minimum grade of C required |
4 |
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 |
16 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics
GE-S |
4 |
JOU 3110 Applied Fact Finding
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
JOU 3346L Multimedia Reporting
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
POS 2041 American Federal Government
GE-S |
3 |
Foreign language (Minimum grade of C required) or
Quantitative option |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
MMC 2450 Data Literacy for Communicators
Minimum grade of C required |
1 |
MMC 3030 Personal Branding
Minimum grade of C required |
1 |
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 |
First JOU specialization course
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
| Outside concentration |
3 |
Professional electives
Minimum grade of C required |
4 |
| Total |
18 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
MMC 3203 Ethics and Problems in Mass Communications
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
MMC 3254 Media Entrepreneurship
Minimum grade of C required |
1 |
| Outside concentration |
3 |
Professional electives
Minimum grade of C required |
5 |
Second JOU specialization course
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
MMC 4200 Law of Mass Communication
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Elective
Outside college |
3 |
English elective
WR-6; minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Professional electives
Minimum grade of C required |
5 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
JOU 4950 Applied Journalism
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
Electives
Outside college |
5 |
| Outside concentration |
6 |
| Total |
14 |
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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 Innovation Academy.
Required Core Coursework: 21 Credits
- MMC 2121 Writing Fundamentals for Communicators * (3)
- MMC 2450 Data Literacy for Communicators * (1)
- MMC 2740 Introduction to Sports and Media * (1)
- MMC 4200 Law of Mass Communication * (3)
- JOU 3101 Reporting * (3)
- JOU 3109C Multimedia Writing * (3)
- PUR 3000 Principles of Public Relations * (3)
- VIC 3001 Sight, Sound and Motion * (4)
Sports and Media Core Coursework: 22 Credits
- JOU 4201 Editing/News Center Practicum (sports specialization) * (3)
- JOU 4313C Sports Reporting * (3)
- JOU 4940 Internship (in sports and media) * (1)
- MMC 3210 Sports Media Law and Ethics * (3)
- MMC 3703 Sports Media and Society * (3)
- PUR 3463 Sports Communication * (3)
- RTV 3593 Multimedia Sports Reporting * (3)
- RTV 4929C Sports Production * (3)
Professional electives: 9 credits
Must be taken in the College of Journalism and Communications
* Minimum grades of C are required in all sports and media 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 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 1 additional critical-tracking course
- 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. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.
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 |
| MMC 2450 Data Literacy for Communicators |
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 |
1
|
Electives
Outside college |
5
|
| 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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