Undergraduate
Student Learning Outcomes
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
The Department of Journalism and Public Relations offers a bachelor's degree in journalism with three concentrations: Journalism, Sports Journalism, and Public Relations. In addition, it offers certificates in Journalism and Public Relations, and a minor in Advertising. These are the learning outcomes for each program.
Journalism Concentration
- Apply the basic principles of journalism such as accuracy, fairness, and public service.
- Discuss the legal and ethical underpinnings of mass media in the U.S.
- Interpret and use the principles of digital, online, and print design.
- Discuss and practice the principles of communicating clearly through print, digital, and visual media.
- Explain the function and impact of journalism and mass communication.
- Classify and separate different audiences for mass communication.
- Design and execute an effective job search in journalism.
- Conduct research for news stories using a variety of sources and evaluate the accuracy of information sources.
Public Relations Concentration
- Apply the basic principles of public relations such as media relations, employee communication, and community relations.
- Discuss the legal and ethical underpinnings of public communication in the U.S.
- Interpret and use principles of digital and print design.
- Discuss and practice the principles of ethical and effective informative and persuasive writing.
- Explain the roles and functions of public relations.
- Discuss and execute persuasive communication strategies in public relations.
- Design and execute an effective job search in public relations.
- Design research to support and evaluate public relations campaigns.
Sports Journalism Concentration
- Apply the basic principles of journalism such as accuracy, fairness, and public service.
- Discuss the legal and ethical underpinnings of traditional and digital sports journalism.
- Interpret and use the principles of digital, online, and print design.
- Discuss and practice the principles of communicating clearly through print, broadcast, and digital media.
- Explain the role of sports media and their symbiotic relationship with the sports industry.
- Examine the treatment of social, economic, political, and legal issues in sports journalism.
- Explain factors that influence sports journalism content and their significance.
Student Learning Outcomes for our Minors and Certificates:
Certificate in Journalism
- Apply the basic principles of journalism such as accuracy, fairness, and public service
- Discuss the legal and ethical underpinnings of mass media in the U.S.
- Interpret and use the principles of digital, online, and print design
- Discuss and practice the principles of communicating clearly through print, digital, and visual media
- Explain the function and impact of journalism and mass communication
- Classify and separate different audiences for mass communication
- Design and execute an effective job search in journalism
- Conduct research for news stories using a variety of sources and evaluate the accuracy of information sources
Certificate in Public Relations
- Apply the basic principles of public relations such as media relations, employee communication, and community relations
- Discuss the legal and ethical underpinnings of public communication in the U.S
- Interpret and use principles of digital and print design
- Discuss and practice the principles of ethical and effective informative and persuasive writing
- Explain the roles and functions of public relations
- Discuss and execute persuasive communication strategies in public relations
- Design and execute an effective job search in public relations
- Design research to support and evaluate public relations campaigns
Minor in Advertising
- Apply the basic principles of advertising theory
- Discuss the legal underpinnings of advertising in the U.S.
- Interpret and use the principles of digital, online, and print design
- Discuss and practice the principles of ethical and effective informative and persuasive writing in advertising
- Explain the roles and functions of advertising
- Discuss and execute persuasive communication strategies in advertising
- Design and execute an effective job search in advertising
- Formulate research to support and evaluate advertising campaigns