Units required for Major: 51
Total units required for BA: 120
Program Description
The Sacramento State Journalism program provides both a general academic experience and professional preparation. Sacramento's program emphasizes writing, editing, writing 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 are the core of students who write for The State Hornet a weekly newspaper with a website updated daily at www.statehornet.com.
A student at Sacramento State may major either in Journalism or in Government-Journalism. A minor in Journalism is valuable to the student entering a career field in which journalism plays a role.
The Journalism graduate who wants to work for a newspaper should expect to serve an apprenticeship with a small newspaper before moving up to a metropolitan daily. Journalism graduates also work as magazine editors and writers, as publications employees in government agencies and associations, in broadcast journalism, and in public affairs.
Minimum Grade Requirement
Majors must complete each required lower and upper division Journalism course with a grade of "C-" or better.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Lower Division Courses (9 Units) | ||
| POLS 1 | Essentials Of Government 1,2 | 3 |
| JOUR 30 | News Writing | 3 |
| JOUR/COMS 55 | Media Communication and Society | 3 |
| or JOUR 50 | Media Literacy and Critical Thinking | |
| Required Upper Division Courses (33 Units) | ||
| Political Science | ||
| POLS 170 | Public Policy Development | 3 |
| POLS 180 | California State and Local Government 2 | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| United States Presidency | ||
| Political Parties in America | ||
| United States Congress | ||
| Interest Groups | ||
| Politics, Opinion, and Participation | ||
| Campaigns and Elections | ||
| Introduction to Urban Politics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Constitutional Law | ||
| Constitutional Rights and Liberties | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| International Politics | ||
| International Organization | ||
| United States Foreign Policy | ||
| Journalism | ||
| JOUR 130A | News Reporting I | 3 |
| JOUR 130B | News Reporting II | 3 |
| JOUR/POLS 134 | War, Peace and the Mass Media 2 | 3 |
| JOUR 135 | Public Affairs Reporting 2 | 3 |
| JOUR/COMS 153 | Journalism Law and Ethics | 3 |
| Internship | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
POLS 195 series | ||
| Internship In Journalism | ||
| Electives (9 Units) | ||
| Select 6 units of upper division courses in Political Science 3 | 6 | |
| Select one upper division course in Journalism | 3 | |
| Total Units | 51 | |
- 1
If a student has not taken POLS 1 or its equivalent, then POLS 150 may be used in place of POLS 1 or as its equivalent as a prerequisite.
- 2
Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.
- 3
The Department of Political Science particularly recommends at least one course in political theory.
Note: POLS 150 may not be used as an elective.
Note: Political Science and Journalism majors should have both an advisor in the Political Science Department and a Journalism Advisor in the Communication Studies Department.
The University's association with the Washington Center makes it possible for California State University, Sacramento students to undertake an internship in Washington, D.C. There are many opportunities for Government-Journalism majors to do an internship to meet their unique interests through this program.
General Education Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units) | ||
| A1 - Oral Communication | 3 | |
| A2 - Written Communication | 3 | |
| A3 - Critical Thinking | 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 2 | 0 | |
| 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 | |
| Total Units | 43 | |
- 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.
Graduation Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (3 Units) | ||
| American Institutions: U.S. History | 3 | |
| American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government 2 | 0 | |
| 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.
Political Science and Journalism, BA: 4-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| POLS 1 | Essentials Of Government | 3 |
| GE Area 1A - English Composition 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| JOUR 20 | Style For Media Writers | 1 |
| JOUR 30 | News Writing | 3 |
| GE Area 1B - Critical Thinking 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5A - Physical Science 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5B - Biological Science 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5C - Laboratory 2 | 1 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Second Semester Composition 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| JOUR 130A | News Reporting I | 3 |
| JOUR 130B | News Reporting II | 3 |
| POLS 180 | California State and Local Government | 3 |
| GE Area 3A - Arts 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| JOUR 116 or JOUR 131 |
Data Visualization or Data Journalism |
3 |
| POLS 134 or JOUR 134 |
War, Peace and the Mass Media or War, Peace and the Mass Media |
3 |
| POLS American Politics and Law Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| JOUR 153 | Journalism Law and Ethics | 3 |
| POLS American Politics and Law Elective 3 | 3 | |
| POLS International Relations or Comparative Politics Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| JOUR 135 | Public Affairs Reporting 3 | 3 |
| POLS 170 | Public Policy Development | 3 |
| POLS Elective 3 | 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 195 |
Internship In Journalism 3 or or Internship in Communication Studies or The State Hornet-Introduction |
1 - 6 |
| JOUR Elective 3 | 3 | |
| POLS Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 13-18 | |
| Total Units | 119-124 | |
Political Science and Journalism, BA: 2-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| JOUR 116 or JOUR 134 |
Data Visualization or War, Peace and the Mass Media |
3 |
| JOUR 130A | News Reporting I | 3 |
| JOUR 130B | News Reporting II | 3 |
| JOUR 134 or POLS 134 |
War, Peace and the Mass Media 3 or War, Peace and the Mass Media |
3 |
| POLS American Politics and Law Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| JOUR 153 | Journalism Law and Ethics | 3 |
| POLS 180 | California State and Local Government | 3 |
| POLS American Politics and Law Elective 3 | 3 | |
| POLS International Relations or Comparative Politics Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| JOUR 135 | Public Affairs Reporting | 3 |
| POLS 170 | Public Policy Development | 3 |
| POLS Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| JOUR 195 |
Internship In Journalism or Internship In Journalism or Internship in Communication Studies or The State Hornet-Introduction |
1 - 6 |
| POLS 130 |
International Politics 3 or International Organization or United States Foreign Policy |
3 |
| JOUR Elective 3 | 3 | |
| POLS Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 17-22 | |
| Total Units | 63-68 | |
- 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.