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. 124 Semester Hours:

Complete a minimum of 124 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

(Effective Fall 2008)

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

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

*  ENG 1110  -  English Composition I ( 3 )   **

*  Modern Foreign Language III (3) **

*  MATH 1100  -  College Algebra and Trigonometry I ( 3 )   **

*  HIST 1320  -  World Societies ( 3 )  

*  HEDU 1531  -  Health ( 2 )  

Semester Hours: 16

Spring Semester

*  ENG 1210  -  English Composition II ( 3 )  

*  SOSC GEC Requirement 2 (3)

* MATH GEC Requirement 2 (3)

*  HUM 2410  -  Arts & Humanities I ( 3 )  

^  MSCM 1250  -  Elements of Speech Communication ( 3 )   or

^  MSCM 2200  -  Introduction to Public Speaking ( 3 )  

Semester Hours: 15

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

*  GEC Science Requirement I (3)

*  HUM 2420  -  Arts & Humanities II ( 3 )  

*  PEDU 1541  -  Fitness ( 2 )  

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

^  ENG 2310  -  British Literature I ( 3 )   or

^  ENG 2320  -  British Literature II ( ( )  

Semester Hours: 17

Spring Semester

*  GEC Science Requirement 2 (3)

^^  MSCM 2430  -  Mass Media and Society ( 3 )  

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

General Elective (3)

^^  MSCM 3470  -  Journalism as Literature ( 3 )  

Semester Hours: 15

Junior Year

Fall Semester

^  ENG 3110  -  Advanced English Grammar ( 3 )  

General Elective (3)

^^^  MSCM 3510  -  Advanced Reporting ( 3 )   or

^^^  MSCM 4645  -  Public Issues Reporting ( 3 )  

^^^  MSCM 3520  -  Copy Editing ( 3 )  

^^^  MSCM Elective (3)

Semester Hours: 15

Spring Semester

^^ MSCM 4626 - Communication Law (3)

^^^  MSCM 3525  -  Desktop Publishing ( 3 )  

^^^  MSCM Elective (3)

General (3)

General Elective (3)

Semester Hours: 15

Senior Year

Fall Semester

General Elective (3)

^^  MSCM 4600  -  Mass Communication Theory and Research ( 3 )  

^^  MSCM 4620  -  Media Practicum ( 3 )  

^^^  MSCM Elective (3)

General Elective (3)

General Elective (3)

Semester Hours: 18

Spring Semester

^^ MSCM 4615  

General Elective (3)

General Elective (3)

General Elective (3)

General Elective (1-3)

Semester Hours: 13-15

Total Minimum Credit Hours: 124

Key to symbols used:

Distribution of Hours

* GEC Requirements - 39

^^ Mass Communication Core Courses - 30

^^^ Journalism Concentration Electives - 18

Minor or General Electives - 37

** Based on Placement Results