Minor in Journalism and Media Studies
About the Minor
The Minor in Journalism and Media Studies is designed for students who want to understand how news and public information are produced, circulated and interpreted in contemporary media environments. It introduces the practices, values and social responsibilities of journalism while developing critical and analytical skills for engaging with news in professional and civic contexts.
Drawing on selected courses from the Journalism and Media Studies major, students gain a foundation in media and communication theory, news production, and the cultural, technological and ethical dimensions of journalism. Electives allow students to further explore areas such as reporting, digital media, sports media and questions of credibility, truth and professional ethics.
The minor is well suited for students interested in journalism or journalism-adjacent careers, as well as those seeking to strengthen their ability to analyze media, evaluate information, and contribute responsibly to public discourse.
Admissions Requirements
Students are required to declare a major before declaring a minor. Students admitted directly into a specific major at the time of matriculation may declare a minor beginning in their second semester. All requirements for the minor must be completed either concurrently with or prior to the completion of the primary major requirements. This ensures that students fulfill the expectations of their primary field of study while completing any additional areas of academic specialization.
Minor Requirements
| Required Courses | ||
| COM 1100 | Principles of Communication | 3.0 |
| COM 1500 | Media and Society | 3.0 |
| COM 1600 | Newsmaking and News | 3.0 |
| Select two (2) courses from the following: | 6.0 | |
| Media Messages: Culture, Text, and Technology | ||
| Qualitative Research Methods | ||
| Journalist's Pursuit of Truth | ||
| Copyediting for Media | ||
| Investigative and Feature Journalism | ||
| Celebrity: Culture and Industry | ||
| Contemporary Issues in Journalism and Media | ||
Other COM courses not appearing on this list can count toward the minor if approved by the COM UG program director | ||
| Total Credits | 15.0 | |
Additional Information
For more information about this program, please contact the College of Arts and Sciences
