Undergraduate
Bachelor's Degree Programs
Journalism and Public Relations
Major in Journalism and Public Relations
Journalism and public relations students at IUPUI learn communication skills, research and analytical techniques, technical know-how, teamwork and versatility—exactly the skills that today’s employers are looking for. Our downtown Indianapolis location provides us with a valuable pool of leading media professionals who serve as instructors and guest speakers. Internships and jobs covering many possible career paths—media, sports or health information, nonprofits, government and more—are a short walk or drive away.
The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Journalism (JOUR) requires satisfactory completion of the following:
Completion of general education and distribution requirements as indicated in the School of Liberal Arts section of the IUPUI bulletin that was current when the student began their studies at IUPUI.
- Completion of a total of 38 credit hours, with a minimum grade of C in each course.
- No more than 12 credit hours may transfer in the major.
- 15 credits must be completed at IUPUI.
- Journalism courses more than 10 years old must be revalidated.
- Minors and certificates outside of journalism are recommended.
- In fulfilling these requirements, a particular course may be counted in only one category.
Core Courses: (15 credits)
- JOUR-J 110 Foundations of Journalism and Mass Communications
- JOUR-J 200 Reporting, Writing, and Editing I (P: ENG-W 131)
- JOUR-J 210 Visual Communication
- JOUR-J 300 Communications Law (P: Sophomore standing)
- JOUR-J 410 Media as Social Institutions (capstone) (P: JOUR-J 300 & Junior standing or above)
Concentration Core: (12 credits)
Select one concentration and complete all four courses in that concentration.
Journalism Concentration
- JOUR-J 341 Newspaper Reporting (P: JOUR-J 200 & JOUR-J 210)
- JOUR-J 351 News Editing (P: JOUR-J 200 & JOUR-J 210)
- JOUR-J 409 Media Management
Select one specialty course from the following:
- JOUR-J 343 Broadcast News (P: JOUR- J 200 & JOUR-J 210)
- JOUR-J 344 Photojournalism Reporting (P: JOUR-J 200 & JOUR-J 210)
- JOUR-J 463 Graphic Design I (P: JOUR-J 200 & JOUR- J 210)
Sports Journalism Concentration
- JOUR-J 150 Introduction to Sports Journalism
- JOUR-J 345 Sports Journalism Writing (P: JOUR-J 150, JOUR-J 200 & JOUR-J 210)
- JOUR-J 361 Issues in Sports Journalism (P: JOUR-J 150)
- JOUR-J 409 Media Management
Public Relations Concentration
- JOUR-J 219 Introduction to Public Relations
- JOUR-J 340 Public Relations Tactics and Techniques (P: JOUR-J 219)
- JOUR-J 390 Public Relations Writing (P: JOUR-J 200 & JOUR-J 219)
- JOUR-J 428 Public Relations Planning and Research (P: JOUR-J 340 & JOUR-J 390)
Research Elective: (3 credits)
Select one course from the following:
- JOUR-J 414 International Newsgathering Systems (offered fall semesters)
- JOUR-J 450 History of Journalism (offered spring semesters)
- JOUR-J 460 Issues Management and Crisis Communications (offered spring semesters)
- JOUR-J 460 Sports, Scandals, and Society (offered fall semesters)
- JOUR-J 475 Race, Gender, and the Media (offered spring semesters)
Career Preparation: (1 credit)
- JOUR-J 402 Careers in Journalism (Journalism and Sports Journalism concentration) (P: Junior standing or above)
OR
- JOUR-J 400 Careers in Public Relations (Public Relations concentration) (P: Junior standing or above)
Media Internship: (1 credit)
- JOUR-J 492 (P: By permission)
Journalism Electives: (6 credits)
Choose any two courses in journalism and public relations as long as you meet the prerequisite for that course.
