Units required for Major: 40
Total units required for BA: 120
Program Description
The journalism program at Sacramento State educates its students in ethical, accurate and effective communication. We employ innovative methods to prepare students, enlighten the public and engage our communities. Our students become committed and versatile professionals with a strong background in both journalism theory and practice.
Sacramento State's program emphasizes research, writing and editing for interactive media, and other courses necessary to prepare students for success in media-related jobs; it also includes courses that critically examine media as an institution.
Journalism majors write The State Hornet, a daily multimedia publication.
A journalism degree prepares students for a variety of careers and graduate studies. Graduates work as journalists in a diverse range of media, as public relations representatives, and as communications staff for government agencies, non-profits, and other organizations.
Pre-Major to Journalism
Prior to acceptance as a Journalism major, students must first complete a pre-major consisting of all required lower division courses plus JOUR 130A and JOUR 130B. Students must successfully complete each pre-major courses with a "C-" or better.
Students with a Sacramento State grade point average of 2.3 or better may request early admission to the major.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Pre-Major Courses (13 Units) | ||
| JOUR 20 | Style For Media Writers | 1 |
| JOUR 30 | News Writing | 3 |
| JOUR/COMS 55 | Media Communication and Society | 3 |
| or JOUR 50 | Media Literacy and Critical Thinking | |
| JOUR 130A | News Reporting I | 3 |
| JOUR 130B | News Reporting II | 3 |
Minimum Grade Requirement
Majors must complete all courses taken in the major with a grade of "C-" or better.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Lower Division Courses (7 Units) | ||
| JOUR 20 | Style For Media Writers | 1 |
| JOUR 30 | News Writing | 3 |
| JOUR/COMS 55 | Media Communication and Society 1 | 3 |
| or JOUR 50 | Media Literacy and Critical Thinking | |
| Required Upper Division Courses (21 Units) | ||
| JOUR 128 | News Editing | 3 |
| JOUR 130A | News Reporting I | 3 |
| JOUR 130B | News Reporting II | 3 |
| JOUR 131 | Data Journalism | 3 |
| JOUR 135 | Public Affairs Reporting 1 | 3 |
| JOUR/COMS 153 | Journalism Law and Ethics | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Internship In Journalism | ||
| The State Hornet-Introduction | ||
| Electives (12 Units) | ||
| Select 12 units 2 | 12 | |
| Data Visualization | ||
| History Of The Media | ||
| Writing for Public Relations | ||
| Multimedia Storytelling | ||
| Digital Magazine | ||
| War, Peace and the Mass Media | ||
| Public Relations Planning and Management | ||
| Women in the Mass Media | ||
| Minorities, Social Change and the Press | ||
| The Media Business | ||
| The State Hornet-Continuing | ||
| Total Units | 40 | |
- 1
Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.
- 2
Elective units chosen in consultation with an advisor from among Journalism faculty. At least 9 of the 12 units must be upper division. No more than a total of six units in JOUR 195, JOUR 197A, JOUR 197B OR JOUR 199 combined may be counted toward the Journalism or Government-Journalism major. Up to nine units in JOUR 197B may be counted for university credit but no more than three units in JOUR 197B may be counted toward the Journalism or Government-Journalism major.
Note: Up to 6 units of coursework from photography or graphic design may be applied toward a major or minor in Journalism with approval of a Journalism advisor.
General Education Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Area A: Basic Subjects (6-9 Units) | ||
| A1 - Oral Communication | 3 | |
| A2 - Written Communication | 3 | |
| A3 - Critical Thinking 2,3 | 0 - 3 | |
| Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (13 Units) | ||
| B1 - Physical Science | 3 | |
| B2 - Life Forms | 3 | |
| B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5) | 1 | |
| B4 - Math Concepts | 3 | |
| B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area C: Arts and Humanities (12 Units) | ||
| C1 - Arts | 3 | |
| C2 - Humanities | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area D: The Individual and Society (6 Units) | ||
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. 2 | 0 | |
| Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units) | ||
| Area E Course | 3 | |
| Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units) | ||
| Area F Course | 3 | |
| Total Units | 43-46 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
Required in Major; also satisfies GE.
- 3
Department offers students an "OR" option for JOUR 55 and JOUR 50:
Graduation Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (6 Units) | ||
| American Institutions: U.S. History | 3 | |
| American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive (WI) 2 | 0 | |
| Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (12 Units) | ||
| English Composition II | 3 | |
| Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE) | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 3 | 6 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
Required in Major; also satisfies Graduation Requirement.
- 3
If not satisfied before entering Sacramento State, it may be satisfied in General Education Area C2 (Humanities). "C- or better required." The alternative methods for satisfying the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement are described here: https://www.csus.edu/college/arts-letters/world-languages-literatures/foreign-language-requirement.html
The following roadmaps are sample planning resources. Please consult your academic advisor and Academic Catalog for graduation requirements as you develop your individualized academic plan.
Journalism, BA: 4-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| COMS 21 | First Year Seminar: Becoming an Educated Person | 3 |
| GE Area 1A - English Composition 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 3A - Arts 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GE Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 3B - Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5B - Biological Science 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| JOUR 20 | Style For Media Writers | 1 |
| JOUR 30 | News Writing | 3 |
| JOUR 50 |
Media Literacy and Critical Thinking 3 or Media Communication and Society or Media Communication and Society |
3 |
| ENGL 20 | College Composition II | 3 |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GE Area 5A - Physical Science 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5C - Laboratory 2 | 1 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 17 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| JOUR 130A | News Reporting I | 3 |
| JOUR 130B | News Reporting II | 3 |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| JOUR 131 | Data Journalism | 3 |
| JOUR Major Elective 3 | 3 | |
| JOUR Major Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| JOUR 128 | News Editing | 3 |
| JOUR 153 or COMS 153 |
Journalism Law and Ethics 3 or Journalism Law and Ethics |
3 |
| JOUR 195 or JOUR 197A |
Internship In Journalism 3 or The State Hornet-Introduction |
1 - 6 |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 4 | |
| Units | 14-19 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| JOUR 135 | Public Affairs Reporting | 3 |
| JOUR Major Elective 3 | 3 | |
| JOUR Major Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 120-125 | |
Journalism, BA: 2-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| JOUR 128 | News Editing | 3 |
| JOUR 131 | Data Journalism | 3 |
| JOUR Major Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| JOUR 130A | News Reporting I | 3 |
| JOUR 130B | News Reporting II | 3 |
| JOUR Major Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| JOUR 153 | Journalism Law and Ethics | 3 |
| JOUR 195 or JOUR 197A |
Internship In Journalism 3 or The State Hornet-Introduction |
1 - 6 |
| JOUR Major Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 13-18 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| JOUR 135 | Public Affairs Reporting | 3 |
| JOUR Major Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 60-65 | |
- 1.
Any course not completed in the first semester should be taken in the second or a later semester.
- 2.
Please see General Education/Graduation Requirement course options.
- 3.
Please see an academic advisor for elective options.