Journalism, Emphasis in Public Relations, B.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences

(Major Code: 05992) (SIMS Code: 661109)

All candidates for a degree in liberal arts and sciences must complete the graduation requirements listed in the section of this catalog on “Graduation Requirements .”

Journalism education emphasizes the training of writers, reporters, and editors for the mass media. It also seeks to prepare and guide students interested in pursuing careers in a wide range of informational and interpretive multimedia environments, including in digital and social media. The courses offered in the journalism major are designed to give students a working knowledge of the skills, concepts, values, and ethics needed to succeed as professional communicators. Courses focus on the basic elements of factual and analytical writing, editing, producing, designing, history, communication law and theory, and social responsibility of the mass media.

Career opportunities for journalism graduates are diverse, including book editing and publishing, freelance writing, industrial journalism, magazines, communication research, news agencies, newspapers, radio, television, teaching, and digital and social media.

To complete the major, students must fulfill the degree requirements for the major described in the catalog in effect at the time they are accepted into the premajor at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment). No more than 48 units in journalism and media studies courses can apply to the B.A. degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences. Lower division activity/production courses in newspaper, magazine, yearbook, or broadcasting may not be applied toward the B.A. in journalism.

Accreditation standards require that all advertising, journalism, media studies, and public relations majors at SDSU complete at least 72 units of coursework outside the major and meet the liberal arts and sciences general education requirements of SDSU. Students must follow their major requirements and complete 15 additional units within an Auxiliary Discipline (within one academic unit outside journalism and media studies).

Emphasis in Public Relations

Public relations students learn the theories and skills necessary to help them execute each stage of the strategic planning process. Specifically, students learn mass communication and public relations theories and principles; research methods; journalistic writing; public relations techniques and tactics; and strategic planning. A selective internship program also gives students the opportunity to try out their skills in the workplace, under the supervision of faculty and on-the-job mentors.

Public relations graduates work as media relations specialists and strategic planners in public relations departments and firms, as internal and external communication specialists in corporations, as public information specialists in government agencies and the military, and in fundraising and membership development for not-for-profit organizations.

To complete the public relations emphasis, students must fulfill the degree requirements for the major described in the catalog in effect at the time they are accepted into the premajor at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment).

Impacted Program

Applicants not meeting the minimum requirements may petition for admission to the public relations emphasis. See the School of Journalism and Media Studies advising office for further information.

The public relations emphasis is designated as an impacted program. To be admitted to the public relations emphasis, students must meet the following criteria:

These courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/NC); Complete with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and a grade of C (2.0) or better:
- JMS 200
- JMS 210
- JMS 220
- ECON 101
Achieve a passing score on the Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation test by the third attempt;
Complete a minimum of 45 baccalaureate level semester units. A maximum of 90 semester units is recommended. (A minimum of 60 units is required for all transfer applicants.);
Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better.

Preparation for the Major

(12 units)

Some of these courses may also be used to fulfill lower division general education requirements.

These prerequisite courses may not be taken Cr/NC and must be completed with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a grade of C (2.0) or better in each class.

JMS 200 - Introduction to Contemporary Media Units: 3
JMS 210 - Social Media in the Digital Age Units: 3
JMS 220 - Writing for the Mass Media Units: 3
ECON 101 - Principles of Economics Units: 3

Language Requirement

Competency (successfully completing the third college semester or fifth college quarter) is required in one language other than English to fulfill the graduation requirement. Refer to the section of this catalog on “Graduation Requirements .”

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

Students must have fulfilled the Writing Placement Assessment with a score of 8 or above before taking JMS 310W and earn a grade of C (2.0) or better. See “Graduation Requirements ” section for a complete listing of requirements.

Major

A minimum of 36 upper division units to include

JMS 310W - Media Writing and Reporting Units: 3
JMS 480 - Principles of Public Relations Units: 3
JMS 481 - Public Relations Media and Messaging Units: 3
JMS 489 - Research Methods in Mediated Communication Units: 3
JMS 494 - Media Law and Ethics Units: 3
JMS 581 - Applied Research in Public Relations Units: 3
JMS 585 - Professional Practices in Public Relations Units: 3

12 Units of Upper Division Coursework

12 units of upper division coursework in either journalism and media studies or learning design and technology.

Three Units Selected from

JMS 300 - Principles of Journalism Units: 3
JMS 440 - Management of Media Organizations Units: 3
JMS 460 - Principles of Advertising Units: 3

Auxiliary Discipline

Students selecting the public relations emphasis are required to complete 15 additional units, six units of which must be at the upper division level, within one academic unit outside journalism and media studies. Completion of a minor or a second major will satisfy the Auxiliary Discipline requirement.