Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Mass Communications
Graduation requirements and regulations for every academic program are provided in this catalog; however, this catalog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract. Degree and program requirements and course descriptions are subject to change.
In most cases, you will use the catalog of the year you entered KU (see your advisor for details). Other years’ catalogs»
Undergraduate Admission to the School of Journalism and Mass Communications
There are 2 paths for admission to the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications:
Path 1: Direct admission from high school
Students will be considered for admission to the School of Journalism and Mass Communications directly out of high school if they are:
- Admitted to KU by assured admission and
- 3.25 or higher high school GPA (no test score required/regardless of test score submitted) or
- 3.00 or higher high school GPA and 21 ACT/1060 SAT
The conditions above are minimum requirements. Students must first meet admission requirements for the University of Kansas. Visit the Office of Admissions for information about admission to KU. Visit the International Recruitment & Undergraduate Admissions office for information about international admission. High school GPA is based on a 4.0 scale. Admission is competitive. If the school must set an admissions quota, students with the highest ACT (or SAT-I) scores and grade-point averages will be accepted.
Path 2: Change of school admission
Transfer students and current KU students who do not declare journalism as their major prior to the first semester of the first year may apply for admission if they have:
- 2.5+ KU GPA (or 2.5+ transferable GPA if no KU GPA has been earned), and
- 2.5+ Journalism GPA*, and
- C (2.0) or higher in JMC 101
- *Students with only JMC 101 can be admitted with a 2.0 Journalism GPA
Students applying with more than 60 hours of college credit (at KU, another institution, or a combination of both) should meet with a journalism advisor to determine their admission eligibility.
Admission is competitive. The number of students admitted each semester depends on the number graduating in the preceding semester and the school’s overall capacity. The school uses a student’s transfer cumulative grade-point average if they do not have a KU cumulative grade-point average. The school does not combine transfer and KU cumulative grade-point averages.
Admission requirements are subject to change. A student’s first semester of college is the first semester in which they enroll after high school graduation.
Requirements for Good Standing
Students admitted to the school must do the following in order to remain in the school and in good standing:
- Maintain a 2.5 KU cumulative grade-point average and a 2.5 journalism grade-point average.
- If either or both GPAs drop below 2.5, students will be placed on probation for 1 semester. At the end of the probation semester, the School will re-evaluate the student's GPAs. If the student has not raised their GPAs to 2.5 or higher, the student will be dismissed from the School. The student may reapply once their GPAs are above 2.5. In extreme circumstances, the probation period may be extended to a second semester, if the student provides documentation of circumstances beyond the student’s control. This decision is made at the discretion of the associate dean, in consultation with the advising office.
General Degree Requirements
- One additional unit that satisfies Core 34: US Culture or Global Culture
Graduation Requirements
In addition to general degree requirements, the following graduation requirements must be met:
- The candidate must have earned at least 120 hours of college credit. Courses below the 100-level (like MATH 2), more than 60 hours of journalism, more than 4 hours of physical education activities, or more than 4 hours of military science are not included in the 120 hours required to graduate. A maximum of 75 hours may be transferred from a community college.
- The candidate must complete a minimum of 30 journalism and mass communications hours in residence. Only 18 transfer hours in JMC may be applied to the degree.
- The candidate must have completed a minimum of 48 hours in journalism and at least 60 hours outside journalism within the 120-hour total.
- The candidate must have at least a 2.5 KU grade-point average overall and in all journalism courses at KU.
- The candidate must have earned at least 45 hours in upper-division courses, numbered 300 and above, including a 3 credit capstone course or equivalent, as determined by the School.
- The candidate must complete area distribution requirements in one of two ways:
- an 18-hour minor outside journalism or
- a second degree outside journalism.
- The candidate must have met all requirements of the school. Transfer students must have met the equivalent of those requirements, as outlined above.
- The candidate must apply to graduate early in their final semester.
- The candidate must complete a minimum of 30 hours in residence.
The primary responsibility for meeting graduation requirements rests with the student. Some graduation requirements are subject to change.
Consult the Journalism Student Services office for current information.
Two Undergraduate Degrees
A student who has earned a B.A. or B.S. degree and wishes to earn a second undergraduate degree in journalism is expected to meet the school’s requirements for area distribution, general degree, and journalism and to complete a minimum of 60 hours outside journalism. A candidate for a second undergraduate degree must have earned a minimum grade-point average of 2.5 in previous college work to be considered for admission to the school. A student must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours in residence.
Course Requirements for Journalism Majors
To earn the Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism and Mass Communications, students must complete a minimum required total of 48 hours in journalism courses. Twenty-two credit hours form the journalism and mass communications core and are taken by all students. Each student must also complete 15 credit hours for the Multimedia Journalism, Digital Marketing Communications, Advertising & Public Relations, and Sports Media & Society concentration, or 18 credit hours for the Media Arts & Production concentration. Students must complete an approved KU Capstone. Students also take journalism electives, three hours of which must fulfill the journalism diversity requirement (satisfied by JMC 201, 534, 590 or 613).
Please note that several JMC courses require a C (2.0) or better to progress in the curriculum and/or fulfill the degree requirement. Students should pay close attention to course descriptions for these details.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Core 1 | ||
| JMC 101 | Media and Society | 3 |
| JMC 104 | Words at Work: Writing Essentials | 3 |
| JMC 300 | Visual Storytelling | 2 |
| JMC 302 | Information Exploration | 3 |
| JMC 304 | Media Writing for Audiences | 3 |
| or JMC 305 | Writing for Media, Honors | |
| JMC 309 | Data Storytelling | 3 |
| JMC 211, 212, 213, 214, 215 (2 courses; 1 credit hour each) | 2 | |
| Upper-Level Core | ||
| JMC 408 | Media Law and Ethics | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| JMC 201, 534, 590, 613 (JMC Diversity course, choose 1) | 3 | |
| JMC electives | 5-8 | |
- 1
Completion of JMC 101 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher is a prerequisite for JMC 300, JMC 304, JMC 305, JMC 309, and JMC 408. Additional prerequisites may apply. Admission to the School of Journalism and Mass Communications is a prerequisite for JMC 304, JMC 305, and JMC 309.
After completing the foundation core, the student completes a concentration, Media Arts & Production, Multimedia Journalism, Digital Marketing Communications, Advertising & Public Relations or Sports Media & Society. The student completes an approved capstone within the concentration.
Digital Marketing Communications, Advertising and Public Relations
Students in Digital Marketing Communications, Advertising and Public Relations are required to complete 15 hours of coursework in addition to the School’s foundation core, upper-level core and electives, for a total of 48 JMC hours.
Concentration Requirements (Note: Students receive a BS in Journalism & Mass Communications with a Concentration in Digital Marketing Communications, Advertising and Public Relations)
Requirements for the Digital Marketing Communications, Advertising and Public Relations Concentration within the School of Journalism & Mass Communications include a minimum of 15 credit hours of coursework as follows:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| JMC 320 | Introduction to Digital Marketing Communications, Advertising and Public Relations | 3 |
| JMC 420 | Advanced Digital Marketing Communications, Advertising and Public Relations | 3 |
| JMC 460 | Research Methods in Digital Marketing Communications, Advertising and Public Relations | 3 |
| JMC 560 | Message Development in Digital Marketing Communications, Advertising and Public Relations | 3 |
| Capstone Course | ||
| JMC 640 | Campaigns in Digital Marketing Communications, Advertising and Public Relations | 3 |
To enroll in JMC 640, a student must be in good academic standing and must have successfully completed JMC 320, 420, 460 and 560.
Media Arts & Production
Students in Media Arts & Production are required to complete 18 hours of coursework in addition to the School’s foundation core, upper-level core and electives, for a total of 48 JMC hours.
Concentration Requirements (Note: Students receive a BS in Journalism & Mass Communications with a Concentration in Media Arts & Production)
Requirements for the Media Arts & Production Concentration within the School of Journalism & Mass Communications include a minimum of 18 credit hours of coursework as follows:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses (9 hrs) | ||
| JMC 260 | Agency: Introduction | 3 |
| JMC 340 | Creative Concepting | 3 |
| JMC 345 | Audience Experience | 3 |
| Advanced Elective: Choose one (3 hrs) (may take both, with additional one as an elective) | ||
| JMC 440 | Creative Video Producing/Directing | 3 |
| JMC 445 | Creative Audio Production and Podcasting | 3 |
| Advanced Elective (3 hrs) | ||
| JMC 341 | Applied Video Editing | 1 |
| JMC 342 | Applied Graphic Design | 1 |
| JMC 440 | Creative Video Producing/Directing | 3 |
| JMC 445 | Creative Audio Production and Podcasting | 3 |
| JMC 450 | Project Management | 1 |
| JMC 545 | Magazine Publishing | 3 |
| JMC 570 | Content Creation & Website Management | 3 |
| JMC 595 | Gamification | 3 |
| JMC 610 | Advanced Visual Media | 3 |
| JMC 612 | Visual Design and Production | 3 |
| JMC 625 | Digital Media Tools-Advanced Media | 3 |
| JMC 636 | Documentary-Advanced Media/Capstone | 3 |
| JMC 670 | Intellectual Property in Practice | 3 |
| JMC 695 | Critical Issues in Emerging Media | 3 |
| Capstone course (3 hrs) | ||
| JMC 645 | Media Arts Capstone | 3 |
Multimedia Journalism
Students in Multimedia Journalism are required to complete 15 hours of coursework in addition to the School’s foundation core, upper-level core and electives, for a total of 48 JMC hours.
Concentration Requirements (Note: Students receive a BS in Journalism & Mass Communications with a Concentration in Multimedia Journalism)
Requirements for the Multimedia Journalism Concentration within the School of Journalism & Mass Communications include a minimum of 15 credit hours of coursework as follows:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses (6 hrs) | ||
| JMC 415 | Multimedia Reporting | 3 |
| JMC 419 | Multimedia Editing | 3 |
| Choose one of the following (3 hrs) | ||
| JMC 551 | Advanced Multimedia Reporting | 3 |
| JMC 552 | Broadcast Reporting | 3 |
| JMC 553 | Advanced Editing and Production | 3 |
| Choose one course designated as an Advanced Media (3 hrs) | ||
| JMC 620 | TV News-Advanced Media | 3 |
| JMC 625 | Digital Media Tools-Advanced Media | 3 |
| JMC 626 | Multimedia Sports Journalism-Advanced Media | 3 |
| JMC 630 | Depth Reporting-Advanced Media/Capstone | 3 |
| JMC 635 | Statehouse Reporting-Advanced Media/Capstone | 3 |
| JMC 636 | Documentary-Advanced Media/Capstone | 3 |
| JMC 650 | Magazine Journalism-Advanced Media | 3 |
| JMC 660 | Professional Capstone - Advanced Media/Capstone | 3 |
| JMC 691 | Community Journalism-Advanced Media/Capstone | 3 |
| JMC 692 | Sports on the Beat Capstone | 3 |
| JMC 699 | Reporting and Editing for Multimedia-Advanced Media | 3 |
| Choose one course designated as a Multimedia Journalism Capstone | 3 | |
| Depth Reporting-Advanced Media/Capstone | ||
| Statehouse Reporting-Advanced Media/Capstone | ||
| Documentary-Advanced Media/Capstone | ||
| Professional Capstone - Advanced Media/Capstone | ||
| Community Journalism-Advanced Media/Capstone | ||
| Sports on the Beat Capstone | ||
Note: A student must obtain permission to take an advanced media lab and multimedia journalism capstone in the same semester. Permission must be granted by both course instructors and the multimedia journalism concentration chair. Students must be in good academic standing to take an advanced media and/or capstone.
Sports Media & Society
Students in Sports Media & Society are required to complete 15 hours of coursework in addition to the School’s foundation core, upper-level core and electives, for a total of 48 JMC hours.
Concentration Requirements (Note: Students receive a BS in Journalism & Mass Communications with a Concentration in Sports Media & Society)
Requirements for the Sports Media & Society Concentration within the School of Journalism & Mass Communications include a minimum of 15 credit hours of coursework as follows:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course | ||
| JMC 330 | Sports Media in the 21st Century | 3 |
| Choose one of the following (3 hrs) | ||
| JMC 320 | Introduction to Digital Marketing Communications, Advertising and Public Relations | 3 |
| JMC 345 | Audience Experience | 3 |
| JMC 415 | Multimedia Reporting | 3 |
| Choose one of the following (3 hrs) | ||
| JMC 430 | Communicating Sports Information | 3 |
| JMC 551 | Advanced Multimedia Reporting | 3 |
| JMC 552 | Broadcast Reporting | 3 |
| JMC 553 | Advanced Editing and Production | 3 |
| Choose one of the following (3 hrs) | ||
| JMC 575 | Sports Message Strategies | 3 |
| JMC 620 | TV News-Advanced Media | 3 |
| JMC 625 | Digital Media Tools-Advanced Media | 3 |
| JMC 626 | Multimedia Sports Journalism-Advanced Media | 3 |
| JMC 630 | Depth Reporting-Advanced Media/Capstone | 3 |
| JMC 650 | Magazine Journalism-Advanced Media | 3 |
| JMC 660 | Professional Capstone - Advanced Media/Capstone | 3 |
| JMC 691 | Community Journalism-Advanced Media/Capstone | 3 |
| JMC 699 | Reporting and Editing for Multimedia-Advanced Media | 3 |
| Capstone Course - Choose one of the following | 3 | |
| Cultivating Sports Audiences Capstone | ||
| Sports on the Beat Capstone | ||
Sample 4-year plans for the Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Mass Communications with the following concentrations can be found here: concentration in Digital Marketing Comms, Advertising, & Public Relations, concentration in Media Arts & Production, concentration in Multimedia Journalism, concentration in Sports Media & Society or by using the left-side navigation.