Mass Communication, Journalism Concentration, B.A.

Curriculum Requirements

Our Journalism concentration offers a solid foundation in the skills vital for careers in all communication media.  The curriculum enhances reading, writing, reporting, storytelling, and critical thinking skills.  Students also learn the theory and practice of information and newsgathering.  They learn to research and report effective stories designed for print, broadcast and multimedia/online distribution.

1. 120 Semester Hours:

Complete a minimum of 120 semester hours with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in the major and cumulative. The last 30 hours must be completed at NCCU. Students must earn grades of C or better in ENG 1110 , ENG 1210 , and all major courses.

2. General Education Requirement:

Complete General Education Curriculum  required by the university as detailed on the four-year course of study. Students must have a “C” or better in ENG 1110  and ENG 1210 .

3. Program Requirements:

4. Concentration Requirements

• MSCM 3520 - Copy Editing (3)
• MSCM 3510 - Advanced Reporting (3) or MSCM 4645 Public Issues Reporting  
• MSCM 3525 - Desktop Publishing (3)
• MSCM 3470 - Journalism as Literature (3) or MSCM 3540 Feature Writing for Newspapers and Magazines  

•  

• Two MSCM Electives:

  Any non-required Mass Communication course at the 2000 level or above, as well as ENG 2105 , ENG 2720 , ENG 3700 , ENG 3800 , and ENG 3900 .  

5. Additional Requirements

Program Notes:

Four- Year Curriculum Plan

Four-Year Curriculum Plan in Mass Communication, Journalism Concentration

For key to symbols used, please see ‘key’ below.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

* ENG 1110  -  English Composition I ( 3 )   

* MATH 1080  -  Mathematics for Liberal Arts & Social Sciences ( 3 )  ** 

* HIST 1320  -  World Societies ( 3 )  

* HEDU 1531  -  Health ( 2 )  

* UNIV 1100  -  First Year Seminar ( 2 )  
 

Semester Hours: 13
 

Spring Semester

* ENG 1210  -  English Composition II ( 3 )  

* GEC Social Science Course #2 (3/4)

* GEC Foreign Language II** (3)

*  HUM 2410  -  Arts & Humanities I ( 3 )  or HUM 2420  -  Arts & Humanities II ( 3 )  

*  MSCM 1250  -  Elements of Speech Communication ( 3 ) -SI 
 

Semester Hours: 15/16
 

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

* GEC Science Course #1 (3/4)

* GEC Humanities #2 (3)

^ MSCM 2400  -  Introduction to Mass Communication: Structure and Social Impact ( 3 )  

*  PEDU 1541  -  Fitness ( 2 )  

^ MSCM 2440  -  Reporting and Writing for Mass Media ( 3 )  -WI

& General Elective (3)
 

Semester Hours: 17/18
 

Spring Semester

* GEC Science Course #2 (3)

^ MSCM 2430  -  Mass Media and Society ( 3 )  

^ MSCM 2540  -  Introduction to Multimedia Reporting ( 3 )   

& General Elective (3)

& General Elective (3)
 

Semester Hours: 15
 

Junior Year

Fall Semester

^  ENG 3110  -  Advanced English Grammar ( 3 )  

+  MSCM 3510  -  Advanced Reporting ( 3 )   or  MSCM 4645  -  Public Issues Reporting ( 3 )  

+  MSCM 3520  -  Copy Editing ( 3 )  

+ MSCM Elective (3)

&General Elective (3)
 

Semester Hours: 15
 

Spring Semester

+ MSCM 3470  -  Journalism as Literature ( 3 )   or MSCM 3540  -  Feature Writing for Newspapers and Magazines ( 3 )  

+ MSCM 3505  -  Photojournalism ( 3 )  or MSCM 3525  -  Desktop Publishing ( 3 )  

^ MSCM 4605  -  Mass Communication Law ( 3 )  

&General Elective (3)

&General Elective (3)
 

Semester Hours: 15
 

Senior Year

Fall Semester

^ MSCM 4615  -  Media Ethics ( 3 )  

^  MSCM 4620  -  Media Practicum ( 3 )  

&General Elective (3)

&General Elective (3)

&General Elective (3)
 

Semester Hours: 15
 

Spring Semester

MSCM 4600  -  Mass Communication Theory and Research ( 3 )  

+ MSCM Elective  (3)

&General Elective (3)

&General Elective (3)

&General Elective (3)

Semester Hours: 15

Total Minimum Credit Hours: 120-122 hours
 

Distribution of Hours

* GEC General Education Core Curriculum Courses - 39 to 41 hours 

^ Mass Communication Core Curriculum Courses - 27 hours 

+ Mass Communication Concentration Courses - 18 hours 

& General Electives - 34-36 hours 

SI = Speaking Intensive

WI = Writing Intensive

** Placement scores will determine if students are required to complete MFL I or II before MFL III and MATH 1000 before the GEC Math Mathematics Requirements