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 1100Principles of Communication3.0
COM 1500Media and Society3.0
COM 1600Newsmaking and News3.0
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 Credits15.0

Additional Information

For more information about this program, please contact the College of Arts and Sciences