undergraduate

Concentration in Journalism

Students who wish to pursue a career in journalism are invited to apply for the journalism concentration. Space is limited in the journalism courses, and entry into the concentration ensures access to these classes. Typically, 20 or fewer students are admitted to the concentration each quarter.

The mission of the journalism program is to develop analytical and communication skills and a commitment to professional excellence in students who wish to pursue careers in the media industries. We teach students how to gather, synthesize, and disseminate information. These skills can be applied in almost any field. Because professional skills must be balanced with the development of intellect and character, we emphasize the importance of the public service mission of journalism and the media's role in nurturing a democratic society.

Journalism students follow a more prescribed program of study that is slightly different from that of other communication majors yet is consistent with the Department's general degree requirements for undergraduates. This program includes newswriting courses relevant to print, broadcast, and hypertext media. These courses integrate conceptual and practical skills and offer hands-on training. In addition, students in the journalism concentration must take a specific range of courses outside the major to meet national accreditation guidelines. Journalism students supply weekly newspapers in Seattle and King County with high-quality reporting. Through a special University of Washington internship program, student journalists also have the opportunity to cover the Washington State Legislature for 15 regional newspapers.

The journalism concentration is available to day students only.

Visit the undergraduate program admissions page for specific requirements >>

The requirements of the journalism concentration are as follows:

A. Prerequisite - either COM 201 or 202

B. Skills Core requirements
COM 360 Intro to Multimedia Journalism	5
COM 361 Advanced Multimedia Journalism	4
COM 362 Community Journalism	5
	19
C. Law & Ethics Core
COM 440 Mass Media Law	5
COM 468 Journalism Ethics	5
	10

D. Emphasis/Specialization in one of the following: Communication & Culture, Communication Technology & Society, International Communication, Political Communication, Rhetoric & Critical Studies, or Social Interaction.

E. Skills/Competencies (8 credits minimum)
selected from COM 301, 351, 363, 460, 461, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 491

F. Other Requirements (15 credits); one course from each of the following areas: (a) Economics - the courses that will fulfill this requirement are: ECON 200, 201, GEOG 207, SIS 200, 201, 332 or POL S 270; (b) Am Govt. - POL S 202; (c) U.S. History - HSTAA 101, 105, 200, 202, 235, 301, 302, or 303

Total Credits

announcements

Journalism Foreign Intrigue Scholarship interns are reporting from China, Cambodia, Sierra Leone and Peru. Check out their blogs >>

The Olympia Legislative Reporting Internship takes place during winter quarter.

journalism resources

Learn about the journalism organizations that have resources for students.

student media groups

University of Washington students have several opportunities to put their journalism skills to work.

add codes

To register for journalism classes, students must have an add code. The Advising Office takes add-code requests for two weeks prior to registration. Priority is given to senior journalism majors. Request forms are available in CMU 118.