Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
About This Program
The Bachelor of Arts in Journalism program provides students with the skills and experience they require to enter the journalism industry. Journalism practice promotes accountability and information flow to the public; consequently, the program strives to produce socially responsible, ethical, and well-rounded journalism professionals. This is done through lectures, practical experience, and direct application of writing, reporting, editing, photography, and digital production – skills that emphasize the multiple competencies of contemporary journalists. Course assignments involve covering real-world news and events. Students have an opportunity to gain hands-on experience through student media outlets such as the department’s Arlington Sentinel News. Additionally, Journalism faculty members cultivate constructive and advantageous relationships with media professionals in the industry. These relationships help our students obtain freelance work, internships, and future employment.
Competencies
- Upon completion of this major, students will have competency in using Associated Press style in their writing.
- Upon completion of this major, students will have competency in demonstrating their news judgment in reporting assignments.
- Upon completion of this major, students will have competency in communicating information accurately, concisely, and clearly in various forms.
- Upon completion of this major, students will have competency in applying technical skills required for news production and multimedia communication.
- Upon completion of this major, students will have competency in engaging with sources, including interview subjects, data, and documents.
Admissions Criteria
Declaring a Major
All undergraduate students seeking to declare a major in the Department of Communication must meet the following criteria:
- Completion of a minimum of 12 hours in residence at The University of Texas at Arlington with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25/4.0.
Students who do not meet these minimum requirements can request to be admitted as an intended major. Please see restrictions below.
Admission as an Intended Major
- Completion of a minimum of 12 hours in residence at The University of Texas at Arlington with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0/4.0.
- Intended majors may enroll in up to a total of 18 hours in the Department of Communication (ADVT, BCMN, COMS, CTEC, JOUR, PCOM, PREL)
- Students who do not achieve a cumulative UT Arlington GPA of 2.25/4.0 by the completion of 18 hours in the Department of Communication will not be cleared to continue in the department.
Dismissal from Intended Status
Students who do not meet the requirements for declaring a Department of Communication major after completing eighteen (18) hours of communication course work will not be allowed to take additional communication courses at UT Arlington. The student will be suspended from the Department of Communication Intended status and must choose a major not offered by the Department of Communication at that time in order to remain enrolled at UT Arlington.
Curriculum
| Foundations | ||
| General Core Requirements | 42 | |
| Students must complete specific courses in certain core areas. | ||
| For Communication select: | ||
| RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION I and RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION II | ||
| College of Liberal Arts Core | ||
| Select two courses (1441, 1442) in any foreign language. | 8 | |
| UNIV 1101 | CAREER PREPARATION AND STUDENT SUCCESS | 1 |
| or UNIV 1131 | STUDENT SUCCESS | |
| Journalism Specialization | ||
| COMM 2311 | WRITING FOR MASS MEDIA 1 | 3 |
| COMM 3300 | COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY | 3 |
| COMM 3310 | COMMUNICATION LAW & ETHICS | 3 |
| COMM 3315 | COMMUNICATION THEORY | 3 |
| JOUR 2330 | INTRODUCTION TO JOURNALISM | 3 |
| JOUR 2340 | PHOTOJOURNALISM I 1 | 3 |
| JOUR 2346 | REPORTING 1 | 3 |
| JOUR 3330 | DATA JOURNALISM 1 | 3 |
| JOUR 3341 | PHOTOJOURNALISM II 1 | 3 |
| JOUR 3345 | COPY EDITING 1 | 3 |
| JOUR 4326 | FEATURE AND OPINION WRITING 1 | 3 |
| JOUR 4341 | DIGITAL STORYTELLING 1 | 3 |
| JOUR 4346 | PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORTING 1 | 3 |
| Electives in the department at the 3000/4000 level | 6 | |
| Minor, Certificate, or Electives | ||
| Select a minor, certificate, or electives sufficient to bring total hours to 120 with 36 at the 3000/4000 level. A minor, selected in consultation with an advisor, consists of 18 hours, 6 of which must be at the 3000/4000 level. Certificates in Digital Media, Professional Communication, and Fundraising and Nonprofit Management are easily combined with this degree. | 24 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
JOUR majors must obtain a minimum grade of C (2.0/4.0 scale) or higher in all of these classes.
Program Completion
To graduate as a major in the Department of Communication students must:
- Meet the UT Arlington graduation standard of a minimum GPA of 2.0/4.0.
- Meet the department graduation standard of a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0/4.0 in all department courses (ADVT, BCMN, COMS, CTEC, JOUR, PCOM, PREL).
Advising Resources
Advisors assist with many tasks via email:
- Remove enrollment holds.
- Evaluate progress and make course suggestions.
- Assist choosing majors/minors.
- Help enrolling/dropping courses.
For more assistance students may schedule in-person or virtual appointments in advance, thru the advising resources webpage link, or drop by our office.
Location:
126 Fine Arts Building
Email:
commadvising@uta.edu
Phone:
817-272-5760