Journalism, BA

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

What Is the Study of Journalis​m?

Journalism is the work of supplying content, primarily news, for the ever-expanding world of mass media. Journalists are responsible for gathering information, analyzing and editing it for a mass audience, and dispensing it using some form of media platform. Increasingly the methods of distribution have become more complex, but the basic mission of a journalist remains the same: to serve the public by finding, defining, writing and editing information.

Today's journalist may be found on traditional publications such as newspapers and magazines, broadcast outlets and specialized publications. He or she may utilize online delivery or other forms of electronic communication. The trained journalist may use her or his skills in the expanding field of public relations, working to serve as a bridge between those with a message to communicate and the journalist who seeks information.

Why Should I Consider this Major?

Few fields of study prepare a person for as wide a range of interesting and challenging careers. Journalists first and foremost learn to write, to accumulate and analyze information. This set of skills is in demand in a host of fields beyond traditional mass media.

The study of Journalism exposes a student to current affairs and problems, from issues of campus governance to international news and concerns. Journalism students are expected to question, to challenge sources of information and seek a variety of data and opinions on any serious issue.

Journalism students are given the daily opportunity to practice what they learn, in hands-on student publication laboratories, culminating in a professional internship. The Journalism faculty at Western are prepared both professionally and academically to help students enter this exciting career field.

Other Sequences or Concentrations:

Visual Journalism, Public Relations

How to Declare:

Pre-major: Available with a 2.5 minimum GPA. Transfer students will be accepted during Transitions or during their first quarter on campus. Freshmen must complete one quarter of classes at WWU to establish a 2.5 GPA before being considered. Students are encouraged to declare a pre-major while completing the requirements for admission to the major. Dates for pre-major advising sessions are posted in the Journalism Department each quarter.

Admissions: For admission to the major, a student must have completed the following requirements: Complete at least 30 college credits with a cumulative 2.50 grade point average Pass JOUR 207 with a B- or better Complete one Journalism staff course with a B- or better Submit a letter of application
Students meeting qualifications but not admitted because of space limitations will be listed as pre-majors and admitted as space allows.

Application deadlines: Deadlines for pre-major/major declaration are posted in the Journalism Department each quarter.

Coursework

  • JOUR 190 Introduction to Mass Media (5)
  • JOUR 207 Newswriting (4)
  • JOUR 307 Reporting (5)
  • JOUR 309 Editing (5)
  • JOUR 340 History of U.S. Journalism (4)
  • JOUR 350 Mass Media Law (5)
  • JOUR 351 Mass Media Ethics (4)
  • JOUR 404 Feature Writing (4)
  • JOUR 430 Field Internship (6)
  • JOUR 450 Advanced Reporting (5)
  • JOUR 480 Senior Seminar (5)
  • Five quarters on publication staff:
    • Three courses from list (a):
      • JOUR 214 Newspaper Staff (3)
      • JOUR 314 Newspaper Staff (3)
      • JOUR 414 Newspaper Staff (3)
      • JOUR 415 Newspaper Editorship (4)
    • One course from list (b):
      • JOUR 321 Periodical Staff (3)
      • JOUR 421 Periodical Staff (3)
      • JOUR 422 Periodical Editorship (4)
    • and one additional from list (a) or (b), or:
      • ESTU 480 The Planet Staff (3)
  • 12 upper-division credits in another academic area under departmental advisement

A maximum of 73 journalism course credits may be applied toward the 180-credit minimum for graduation

GURs:

These courses are offered within this major and may be used to satisfy GUR or Writing Proficiency Requirements.

  • BCOM: JOUR 207
  • HUM: JOUR 340
  • SSC: JOUR 190
"The visual journalism sequence has been my ideal college experience. It provides opportunity upon opportunity to not just study the subject matter, but to get out into the real world and experience it. The sequence isn't easy, but it's worth it, and between the faculty and my peers, I've had an excellent and caring support system to guide me through the program. With all the writing, photography, multimedia and design skills I've acquired throughout my experience in the sequence, I feel prepared and versatile enough to succeed in today's rapidly changing journalism landscape."

- Carey Rose, Student

"The Department of Journalism is professionally oriented and has a long tradition of preparing its students to work in the fields of journalism and public relations. The department has embraced digital technology and has integrated it throughout its courses. We're successfully preparing our students for traditional journalism jobs, such as in newspapers, but also for new positions that didn't even exist a few years ago."

- John M. Harris, Faculty

Notable Alumni

Duff Wilson

Reporter, New York Times

Bobbie Egan

Media relations manager, Alaska Airlines

Sample Careers

  • Reporter
  • Editor
  • Customer Service Representative
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Community Relations Director
  • TV News Anchor
  • Speech Writer
  • Advertising Copywriter
  • Copywriter
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Lobbyist
  • Photojournalist
  • Designer
  • Multimedia Producer
  • All careers involving communication

Department

Contact

Department Manager:

Peggy Watt
360-650-2338
CF 253
Peggy.Watt@wwu.edu

Office Assistant

Alexis Tahiri
CF 258
Alexis.Tahiri@wwu.edu