SJSU Catalog

Journalism and Mass Communications

Introduction

"New electronic interdependence recreates the world in the image of a global village." When Marshall McLuhan said that in 1967, little did he know how much the media would be affected by information technology years later. Recognizing the importance of communicating in a multimedia environment on a global scale, the School of Journalism and Mass Communications maximizes students' communication skills in all forms of the mass media using the latest electronic technology, including computer notebooks and a wireless network. Students can learn how to: put out a daily newspaper, write features for a student magazine, report on air for television and radio, create and execute advertising and public relations campaigns for a variety of organizations, research how the media reaches target audiences and work as a director of development for nonprofit organizations in the arts and social services.

A wide selection of student clubs function to introduce students to opportunities, jobs and trends in mass communication and corporate communication fields. The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), the Radio, Television News Directors Association (RTNDA), the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA), the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and the Ad Club are student chapters affiliated with national professional advertising, public relations and journalism associations. Equally active are clubs such as Mu Alpha Gamma (magazine journalism). Other student organizations, such as Kappa Tau Alpha (national student honor society), recognize outstanding scholarship.

The location of SJSU in the heart of Silicon Valley provides advantages for student internships. The School has hundreds of active internship agreements with newspapers, broadcast stations, magazines advertising and public relations agencies and communication departments in major corporations.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communications offers BS degrees in Journalism, Advertising, and Public Relations and an M.S. in Mass Communications. Graduates of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications are equipped with an education that enhances advancement not only in media related fields but in any field of endeavor. Students learn how to gather, synthesize and disseminate information. The Internet, library and original research, interview techniques and observation are emphasized in the information gathering process. Critical thinking and logic skills come into play along with the ability to write and edit messages for distribution by various means, including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, billboards, news releases and World Wide Web. Please note that School policy requires all major to own their own notebook computer and purchase selected software programs.

The school counts among its graduates thousands of successful people who have achieved at all levels. They include publishers, editors, news directors, writers, Pulitzer Prize winners, vice presidents of corporate communications at major corporations, and counselor to the president of the United States.

With a degree from the school, career possibilities include:

• Reporter
• Copy Editor
• Editorial Writer
• Columnist
• Magazine Writer
• Speech Writer
• Foreign Correspondent
• Public Affairs Director
• Legislative Assistant
• Managing Editor
• Publisher
• Marketing Communications Director
• Public Information Specialist
• Technical Writer/Editor
• Graphic Designer
• Online Content Provider
• Photojournalist
• Advertising Account Executive
• Advertising Copywriter
• Public Relations Director
• Advertising Layout/Design/Production
• Professional Fundraiser
• Development Director
• Corporate Communication Vice President
• Broadcast News Anchor/Video Journalist/Reporter
• Broadcast News Director

Faculty represent a blend of experience as journalists, photographers, freelance writers, authors, graphic designers, advertising and public relations executives. We offer small classes and encourage faculty and student interaction. Faculty regularly meet with students to advise them about academic as well as career issues. Professionals often appear as guest lecturers and serve on advisory boards.

Advisement

Each student is assigned an academic advisor who guides the student in selection of coursework and assists the student in meeting the academic expectations of the school and the university. The student is strongly encouraged to maintain close contact with the assigned faculty advisor. The shared goal is successful completion of the degree requirements within a reasonable amount of time.

Transfer Units/Credits

Community college courses evaluated as equivalent to SJSU courses in the lower division are transferable to undergraduate majors. A total of 15 community college semester units in the advertising, journalism and mass communication fields are transferable to the major.

Four-year college credits in advertising, journalism, public relations and mass communications can also be applied to the school degree requirements. However, 12 units of course work must be earned by taking courses in the major at San José State University (nine units for the minor).

National Accreditation

The School of Journalism and Mass Communications is one of 110 programs that is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC). Accredited programs embrace the value of a liberal arts and sciences curriculum as the essential foundation for a professional journalism and mass communications education. National accreditation assures students, parents, journalism and mass communications professionals and the public that our program meets rigorous standards for professional education. For graduation, students seeking degrees in the school must complete 120 semester units, including a minimum of 80 units outside the school. Within the 80 outside units must be 65 units of liberal arts and sciences. Courses offering practical instruction in fields closely related to mass communications may not be applied, regardless of where offered, including technical writing courses in English and internships, activity or independent study courses offered by other departments or schools.

Students in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications have consistently won awards in competitions with students from other universities. Students are encouraged to compete, and faculty advisors offer support.

We are always happy to make an appointment with students or their parents to discuss the program, to provide academic or career counseling or to provide a tour of our facilities. You can reach us by email at: jmcweb.sjsu.edu or by sending a letter to the school. Our telephone number is 408-924-3240. Check us out on the web at www.jmcweb.sjsu.edu/index.html.

Honors Program

Majors with a 3.2 GPA overall and a 3.5 GPA in advertising, journalism, or public relations at the end of their junior year (at least 90 units completed of which 30 are in the major) are eligible to apply for the Honors Program in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Application must be made to the Director of the School no later than the first semester of the senior year. The School will limit those admitted to the Honors Program each year to no more than 10 percent of the number of its graduates in the previous academic year. Once admitted to the Honors Program, students must maintain at least a 3.2 GPA overall and at least a 3.5 GPA in their major. They must take a graduate-level seminar that has been approved by the graduate coordinator. To receive honors, students, as part of the seminar requirements, must complete and present a seminar paper and must receive a 3.0 or better grade in the course.