​​​​​LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES REQUIREMENTS: THE 80/65 RULE​
The Department of Journalism is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. Therefore, ​ALL students majoring in journalism at CMU (regardless of concentration) must comply with ACEJMC’s 80/65 rule which mandates that all students must take 80 hours of course work outside of their major.  Of those 80 hours, 65 must be in the Liberal Arts and Sciences.  Please see below for a list of the courses that constitute Liberal Arts and Sciences courses at CMU:
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View requirements
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​All programs below are taken from the 2016-2017 bulletin​.
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​Journalism Major
A journalism major requires 39 hours of journalism coursework. The last 18 hours of journalism course work leading to a journalism major should be taken within the journalism department of CMU. A grade of C or better is required in each course counted toward the major and an overall grade point average of 2.5 for all journalism courses counted toward the major. A maximum of 44 journalism credits can be applied to graduation. No more than three credits of journalism internship can be applied toward the major.​ ​

In order to graduate as a major in the Department of Journalism, a student must complete at least 80 semester hours of coursework in departments other than journalism. Of those 80 semester hours, 65 must be in the liberal arts and sciences, which are listed under the University Program and area requirements for the B.A. and B.S. degrees. Each journalism major must consult with a journalism faculty adviser prior to registering for courses each semester to ensure orderly progress toward meeting these requirements.​

Core Courses I (21 Hours)
​JRN 102Introduction to Journalism 3(3-0)
​JRN 202Writing for the Mass Media 3(3-0)
​JRN 203​Information Gathering for the Mass Media 3(3-0)
​JRN 220​Basic Media Photography 3(3-0)
​JRN 302​Introduction to Graphics and Visual Communication 3(3-0)
​JRN 404​Law of Mass Communication 3(3-0)
​JRN 500​​Current Issues in Mass Communication 3(3-0)

Core Courses II (3​ Hours)
Select one of the following:
​JRN 372International and Cross-cultural Mass Communication 3(3-0)
​JRN 380​​Racial Diversity: Mass Media's Role 3(3-0)

Required Courses (12​ Hours) 
JRN 312Reporting
​JRN 315​Editing
​JRN 430​Magazine and Feature Writing
​JRN 516​​Public Affairs Reporting

Elective (3​ Hours)
Select an additional Journalism course, as approved by the advisor.
​Public Relations Concentration
Core Courses I (21 Hours)
​JRN 102Introduction to Journalism 3(3-0)
​JRN 202Writing for the Mass Media 3(3-0)
​JRN 203​Information Gathering for the Mass Media 3(3-0)
​JRN 220​Basic Media Photography 3(3-0)
​JRN 302​Introduction to Graphics and Visual Communication 3(3-0)
​JRN 404​Law of Mass Communication 3(3-0)
​JRN 500​​Current Issues in Mass Communication 3(3-0)

Core Courses II (3​ Hours)
Select one of the following: 
​JRN 372International and Cross-cultural Mass Communication 3(3-0)
​JRN 380​​Racial Diversity: Mass Media's Role 3(3-0)

Required Courses (12​ Hours) 
JRN 350Public Relations Principles and Practices 3(3-0)
​JRN 450​Public Relations Writing 3(3-0)
​JRN 551​Case Studies in Public Relations 3(3-0)
​JRN 556​​Public Relations Seminar 3(3-0)

Elective (3​ Hours) 
Select an additional Journalism course, as aproved by the advisor.​​ ​​​
 
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​Advertising Major

A journalism major requires 39 hours of journalism coursework. The last 18 hours of journalism course work leading to a journalism major should be taken within the journalism department of CMU. A grade of C or better is required in each course counted toward the major and an overall grade point average of 2.5 for all journalism courses counted toward the major. A maximum of 44 journalism credits can be applied to graduation. No more than three credits of journalism internship can be applied toward the major.​ ​

In order to graduate as a major in the Department of Journalism, a student must complete at least 80 semester hours of coursework in departments other than journalism. Of those 80 semester hours, 65 must be in the liberal arts and sciences, which are listed under the University Program and area requirements for the B.A. and B.S. degrees. Each journalism major must consult with a journalism faculty adviser prior to registering for courses each semester to ensure orderly progress toward meeting these requirements.​

​JRN 102Introduction to Journalism 3(3-0)
​JRN 302​Introduction to Graphics and Visual Communication 3(3-0)
​JRN 360​Advertising Principles 3(3-0)
​JRN 361​Writing for Advertising 3(3-0)
​JRN 404​Law of Mass Communication 3(3-0)
​JRN 465​Advertising Copy and Design 3(3-0)
​JRN 466​Advertising Campaigns 3(3-0)
​JRN 569​Advertising Internship 1-4(Spec)
​MKT 300​Introduction to Marketing 3(3-0)
​MKT 305​Buyer Behavior 3(3-0)
​MKT 410​​Advertising Management 3(3-0)
Select one of the following:
JRN 372International and Cross-cultural Mass Communication 3(3-0)
​JRN 380​​Racial Diversity: Mass Media's Role 3(3-0)
Select one of the following:
JRN 365Advertising Media 3(3-0)
​MKT 315Advertising Media 3(3-0)​ ​​
 
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Photojournalism Major
A photojournalism major requires 42 hours of journalism course work. The last 18 hours of journalism course work leading to a photojournalism major should be taken within the journalism department of CMU. A grade of C or better is required in each course counted toward the major and an overall grade point average of 2.5 for all journalism courses counted toward the major. A maximum of 44 journalism credits can be applied to graduation. No more than three credits of journalism internship can be applied toward the major.​ ​

In order to graduate as a major in the Department of Journalism, a student must complete at least 80 semester hours of course work in departments other than journalism. Of those 80 semester hours, 65 must be in the liberal arts and sciences, which are listed under the University Program and area requirements for the B.A. and B.S. degrees. Each photojournalism major must consult with a journalism faculty advisor prior to registering for courses each semester to ensure orderly progress toward meeting these requirements.​

​JRN 102Introduction to Journalism 3(3-0)
​JRN 202​Writing for the Mass Media 3(3-0)
​JRN 220​Basic Media Photography 3(3-0)
​JRN 340​Introduction to Online Journalism 3(3-0)
​JRN 404​Law of Mass Communication 3(3-0)
Select one of the following:
JRN 372International and Cross-cultural Mass Communication 3(3-0)
​JRN 380​​Racial Diversity: Mass Media's Role 3(3-0)
JRN 302Introduction to Graphics and Visual​
​JRN 320​Photo Editing 3(3-0)
​JRN 420​Photography Studio Techniques 3(3-0)
​JRN 422​The Photographic Process 3(3-0)
​JRN 423​Online Visual Storytelling 3(3-0)
​JRN 445​Multimedia Reporting 3(3-0)
​JRN 521​​Seminar in News Photography 3(3-0)
JRN course 300 level or above approved by advisor (3 hours) OR​
JRN 529Photojournalism Internship 1-4(Spec)
ART 140Photography I: Introduction to Digital Photography 3(0-6)
​ART 239​Digital Imaging I 3(0-6)
​ART 240​​Photography II: Digital Montage & Studio Lighting 3(0-6)
 
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Online Journalism Major

An online journalism major requires 42 hours of journalism course work. The last 18 hours of journalism course work leading to an online journalism major should be taken within the journalism department of CMU. A grade of C or better is required in each course counted toward the major and an overall grade point average of 2.5 for all journalism courses counted toward the major. A maximum of 44 journalism credits can be applied to graduation. No more than three credits of journalism internship can be applied toward the major.​ ​

In order to graduate as a major in the Department of Journalism, a student must complete at least 80 semester hours of course work in departments other than journalism. Of those 80 semester hours, 65 must be in the liberal arts and sciences, which are listed under the University Program and area requirements for the B.A. and B.S. degrees. Online journalism majors must consult with a journalism faculty advisor prior to registering for courses each semester to ensure orderly progress toward meeting these requirements.

​JRN 102Introduction to Journalism 3(3-0)
​JRN 202​Writing for the Mass Media 3(3-0)
​JRN 220​Basic Media Photography 3(3-0)
​JRN 340​Introduction to Online Journalism 3(3-0)
​JRN 404​Law of Mass Communication 3(3-0)
Select one of the following:
JRN 372International and Cross-cultural Mass Communication 3(3-0)
​JRN 380​​Racial Diversity: Mass Media's Role 3(3-0)
JRN 203Information Gathering for the Mass Media 3(3-0)
​JRN 302​Introduction to Graphics and Visual Communication 3(3-0)
​JRN 440​Advanced Online Journalism 3(3-0)
​JRN 441​Computer Assisted Reporting 3(3-0)
​JRN 445​​Multimedia Reporting 3(3-0)
Select one of the following:
JRN 448Online Journalism Practicum 3(Spec)
​JRN 449​​Online Journalism Internship 3(Spec)
JRN 312Reporting 3(3-0)
​JRN 315​Editing 3(3-0)
​JRN 430​Magazine and Feature Writing 3(3-0)
​JRN 516​​Public Affairs Reporting 3(3-0)
 

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​Journalism Minor 

A journalism minor requires at least 21 hours of journalism coursework. A grade of C or better is required in each course counted towards the minor.

​JRN 102Introduction to Journalism 3(3-0)
​JRN 202​Writing for the Mass Media 3(3-0)
​JRN 302​Introduction to Graphics and Visual Communications 3(3-0)
​JRN 312​Reporting 3(3-0)
​JRN 315​Editing 3(3-0)
An advanced journalism writing course (numbered 300 or above) as approved by the minor advisor OR JRN 220, Basic Media Photography. A journalism course in theory or principles as approved by the minor advisor.​ 
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​Advertising Minor​ (Interdepartmental)​
The Advertising Minor is offered by the Department of Journalism and the Department of Marketing and Hospitality Services Administration. The minor brings together courses designed to provide skills for the student with a career interest in advertising. It also provides a working knowledge of advertising for those in careers closely related to advertising.
​JRN 302​Introduction to Graphics and Visual Communications 3(3-0)
​JRN 360​Advertising Principles 3(3-0)
​JRN 465​Advertising Copy and Design 3(3-0)
​MKT 300​Introduction to Marketing 3(3-0)
​MKT 410​​Advertising Management 3(3-0)
Select one of the following:
JRN 365​Advertising Media 3(3-0)
​MKT 315​​Advertising Media 3(3-0)
Electives in advertising approved by the advertising minor advisor.​ 
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​Public Affairs Minor (Interdepartmental)​

The Public Affairs Minor is offered by the Department of Journalism and the Department of Political Science. The minor brings together courses designed to provide skills and knowledge for the student with a career interest in public affairs communication.

Only JRN 202 (3) can be double-counted by Journalism majors and minors. Only PSC 105 (3) can be double-counted by Political Science majors and minors. Credits from only one internship, either Journalism or Political Science can be counted toward the Public Affairs Minor. Internship hours are limited to three.
​JRN 202​Writing for the Mass Media 3(3-0)
​JRN 350​Public Relations Principles and Practices 3(3-0)
​PSC 105​Introduction to American Government and Politics 3(3-0)
​PSC 261​State and Local Government 3(3-0)
JRN 360Advertising Principles 3(3-0)
​JRN 450​Public Relations Writing 3(3-0)
​JRN 551​Case Studies in Public Relations 3(3-0)
​JRN 556​Public Relations Internship 1-4(Spec)
​PSC 210​Introduction to Public Administration
​PSC 313​Budgetary Processes in the United States 3(3-0)
​PSC 320​The American Legislative Process 3(3-0)
​PSC 327​Lobbying and Interest Group Behavior 3(3-0)
​PSC 395​​Internship in Government and Politics 1-2(Spec)
 
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​ ​Media Design, Production, and Technology Minor (Interdisciplinary Program)
The Minor in Media Design, Production, and Technology consists of 24 semester hours which will be divided into a 15 hour core and 9 hours of electives. The specific design of the minor follows:
​ART 135​Introduction to Graphic Design 3(0-6)
​BCA 223​Video Production 3(1-4)
​CPS 282​Introduction to Multimedia Design 3(3-0)
​IET 143​Introduction to Graphic Arts 3(2-2)
​JRN 220​​Basic Media Photography 3(3-0)
Select from the following in consultation with an advisor. Other electives may be substituted with consent of advisor.
ART 235Logo and Identity Design 3(0-6)
​ART 239​Digital Imaging I 3(0-6)
​ART 335​Design Bureau 3(0-6)
​ART 339​Digital Imaging II 3(0-6)
​ART 349​Typography 3(0-6)
​ART 435​Professional Design Practices 3(0-6)
​BCA 222​Audio Production 3(1-4)
​BCA 421​Advanced Audio Production 3(2-2)
​BCA 521​Electronic Cinematography 3(2-2)
​BCA 522​Multimedia Audio Post-Production 3(2-2)
​BCA 532​Advanced Video/Multimedia Post-Production
​CPS 165​Modern Website Design 3(3-0)
​CPS 482​Advanced Multimedia Design 3(3-0)
​IET 343​Line Photography and Beginning Offset 3(2-2)
​IET 543​Production Printing Methods 3(2-2)
​ITC 320​Web-Based Applications 3(3-0)
​ITC 582​Multimedia Systems 3(3-0)
​JRN 302​Introduction to Graphics and Visual Communication 3(3-0)
​JRN 320​Photo Editing 3(3-0)
​JRN 420​Photography Studio Techniques 3(3-0)
​JRN 422​​The Photographic Process 3(3-0)​
Note: Students may also select, as part of their Elective hours, an Internship Experience through a Participating Department (3 hours)​  
​Note: Students may not apply more than 6 hours of coursework from their declared major towards this minor. Students are required to achieve a grade of C (2.0) or better in each of the Core courses in the minor.
 
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Integrative Public Relations Major (Interdisciplinary Program)

Integrative Public Relations is an interdepartmental major grounded in the disciplines concerned with the practice of public relations. Students are strongly encouraged to work closely with their academic advisor throughout their academic careers. Students majoring in integrative public relations must achieve a grade of C or better in each course in the major, including electives, and a minimum 2.5 GPA overall in the major.

General Guidelines:
​Courses are numbered by related areas within the field of journalism. The second and third digits indicate the area relationship. These are: General Courses—(00); News Editorial- —(10); Photojournalism—(20); Magazines—(30); Teaching— (40); Public Relations—(50); Advertising—(60); Open—(70); Advanced Graduate Courses—(80); and Special
BCA 210Survery of the Mass Media 4(4-0) 
​BCA 311​Electronic Media Copywriting 3(3-0)
​BCA 512​Broadcast and Cable Promotion 3(3-0)
​COM 264​Organizational Communication 3(3-0)
​COM 357​Public Speaking 3(3-0)
​IPR 101​Foundations of Integrative Public Relations 1(1-0)
​IPR 555​Public Relations Internship 3-6(Spec)
​JRN 202​Writing for the Mass Media 3(3-0)
​JRN 302​Introduction to Graphics and Visual Communication
​JRN 350​Public Relations Principles and Practices 3(3-0)
​JRN 450​Public Relations Writing 3(3-0)
​JRN 551​Case Studies in Public Relations 3(3-0)
​JRN 556​​Public Relations Seminar 3(3-0)​
​Note: COM 357 fulfills the oral competency requirement.
Select from the following:
​COM 195Intercultural Communication 3(3-0)
​COM 353​Small Group Communication 3(3-0)
​COM 362
/WST 362		​Gender Communication 3(3-0)
​COM 363​Principles and Types of Interviewing 3(3-0)
​COM 365​Persuasion and Social Influence 3(3-0)
​COM 560​Communication and Social/Organizational Change 3(3-0)
​COM 561​​Communication in Conflict Management 3(3-0)
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Select from the following:
BCA 317Electronic Media Performance 3(2-2)
​BCA 318​Radio and Television News 3(3-0)
​BCA 411​Long-Form Electronic Media Writing 3(3-0)
​BCA 503​Critiquing Mass Media 3(3-0)
​BCA 511​​Electronic Media Sales 3(3-0)
 
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Select a total of 9 hours of Multimedia and Entrepreneurship from the following groups:

Group A (3-6 hours) - Business
ENT 210/
ACC210		Accounting Information for Entreprenuerial Decision Making 3(3-0)
​ENT 221/
MKT 221		​​Marketing Strategies for Entrepreneurs 3(3-0)
​ENT 320/
FIN 320		​Financial Management of the Entrepreneurial Venture 3(3-0)
​PHL 318​​Business Ethics 3(3-0)

Group B (3-6 hours) - Research into Publics
PSC 327
Lobbying and Interest Group Behavior 3(3-0)
​PSY 211​Introduction to Psychological Statistics 3(3-0)
​PSY 337​Psychology of Advertising 3(3-0)
​SOC 200​​Introduction to Social Research and Analysis 3(3-0)

Group C (0-3 hours) - Multimedia Design and Integrated Marketing
CPS 282Introduction to Multimedia Design 3(3-0)
​CPS 482​Advanced Multimedia Design 3(3-0)
​JRN 360​Advertising Principles 3(3-0)
​JRN 365​Advertising Media 3(3-0)
​MKT 300​​Introduction to Marketing 3(3-0)
 
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