Future Students

Academics

You’ve reached this page through an outdated link.

See our new academic offerings site for the most up-to-date information on all the University’s fields of study.

Journalism

Edward R. Murrow College of Communication


 

QUICK JUMP
  Journalism
  Requirements and Core Courses
  Careers in Journalism
  Scholarships and Financial Aid
  Campus Organizations and Activities
  Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You
  Contact Information

Journalism

Journalism students in the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication focus on reporting and editing methods, current mass media issues, and legal and historical precedents. An undergraduate communication degree with a focus on journalism prepares students for a career in writing for newspapers, magazines, and various other print media, as well as work in the public, corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors.

• Offered at WSU: Bachelor of arts
• Available at: Pullman

Requirements and Core Courses

—Bachelor of Arts in Communication with an Emphasis in Journalism
The curriculum blends professional, liberal arts, theory, and research courses. The major requires at least 39 semester hours in communication. Each student will complete the requirements of their chosen sequence (e.g., journalism) and accumulate an emphasis of 18 credits (at least 9 credits must be 300- and 400-level) in a second department. At least 75 of the 120 credits required for the bachelor of arts degree in communication must be taken in other departments. Transfer students, in meeting the requirements of their chosen sequence, must take a minimum of 15 credit hours in the school.

Students have three options to meet the enrichment/internship requirements:
• 6 hours of internship credit
• 3 hours of internship credit and 3 of upper division core
• 6 hours of upper division core.

REQUIREMENTS FOR JOINING PROGRAM
Students must meet the following minimum requirements to certify a major in communication:
• Complete Com 101, 245, 265, 295, and ComSt 102.
• Earn a grade no lower than C in Com 295.
• Communication GPA and overall GPA are averaged together; the students with the highest number get in.
• Students transferring into the department with 55 or more hours should complete the certification requirements within two semesters. All students should certify before earning 90 credit hours.

REQUIRED COMMUNICATION COURSES
Com 101—Mass Communication, Society, & Theory
Com 245—Language and Human Behavior
Com 265—Murrow Legacy
Com 295—Media Writing
ComSt 102—Public Speaking: Theory, Models, and Practice
Six credits enrichment/internship

REQUIRED JOURNALISM COURSES
Jour 305—Reporting
Jour 330—News Editing
Jour 425—Reporting of Public Affairs
Com 415—Law of Mass Communications
Two Upper division core
One seminar numbered 475 in communication

NOTE: Students should consult the General Catalog for course planning and must meet course requirements as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate.

Careers in Journalism

The following are just some of the careers available in the journalism field: reporter, editor, newscaster, author, copywriter, scriptwriter, publisher, news service researcher, technical writer, acquisitions editor, media interviewer, and talk show host.

Communication graduates can find that their degree has unexpected value in other fields, such as business, education, government and politics, international relations, social and human services, health-related careers, and law.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication has 19 scholarship funds and awards $50,000 in scholarships and fellowships annually. In addition, all communication majors may apply for University-level scholarships, and may also be eligible for other types of state, federal, and university-awarded financial aid.

Campus Organizations and Activities

Journalism majors may manage and write for the Daily Evergreen, the University’s student-produced newspaper that is published five days a week when classes are in session. This provides experience working with cutting-edge newspaper editing technology.

Campus organizations related to journalism include student chapters of the Society for Professional Journalists, Public Relations Student Society of America, International Association of Business Communicators, Radio Television News Directors Association, Alpha Epsilon Rho, the Advertising Club, and the Association for Women in Communication.

Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You

• Advertising
• Broadcasting
• English
• Public Relations

Contact Information
Edward R. Murrow College of Communication
Communication Addition 101
Washington State University
PO Box 642520
Pullman, WA 99164-2520
communication@wsu.edu
509-335-7333
 

Strengths of the Program

  • We offer the only program in the Northwest with all six communication sequences: advertising, broadcasting, communication, journalism, public relations, and communication studies.
  • Our professors are nationally ranked for their research and earn awards for their excellence in teaching and professional contributions.
  • The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication is highly regarded nationwide by professionals and wins Emmys for student productions.
  • WSU's College of Communication is ranked fourth in the nation for its television news and first in the Northwest for its public relations sequence.
  • Our strong internship program places students in major media centers: New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle.
  • WSU has one of the nation's few nightly, student-produced TV newscasts.
  • Involvement opportunities include the daily student newspaper and student chapters of several communication organizations.
Office of Enrollment Management, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 888-GO TO WSU (888-468-6978), Contact Us