Journalism and Media Studies - Bachelor of Arts (Online)
This program is specifically developed to accommodate the schedules of professionals or students who cannot take classes at campus but want to finish degree in Journalism and Media Studies. The fully online format is flexible and can be accessed from anywhere/anytime to make it possible for students to continue working and earning their degree.
Below are the requirements for completing the Bachelor of Arts with a major in Journalism and Media Studies under NMSU Online, with a focus on either strategic communications or multimedia journalism. For information on how to complete the program, please see the roadmaps tab.
Students are required to complete
- 15 hours of core courses, JOUR 105G Media and Society, JOUR 110 Media Writing I, JOUR 201 Introduction to Multimedia Journalism, JOUR 210 Copyediting and JOUR 493 Media Law
- then complete a minimum 30 hours of courses in the department, bringing the allowable minimum of 42 hours.
Students must complete at least 69 hours of courses outside the department.
Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements, Viewing a Wider World requirements, and elective credits to total at least 120 credits with 48 credits in courses numbered 300 or above. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Area I: Communications | ||
| English Composition - Level 1 | ||
| ENGL 1110G | Composition I | 4 |
| English Composition - Level 2 | ||
| Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Professional and Technical Communication Honors | 3 | |
| Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | 3 | |
| Oral Communication | ||
| Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Effective Leadership and Communication in Agriculture | 3 | |
| Introduction to Communication | 3 | |
| Public Speaking | 3 | |
| Introduction to Communication Honors | 3 | |
| Area II: Mathematics 1 | ||
| MATH 1130G | Survey of Mathematics (Recommended) | 3 |
| Area III/IV: Laboratory Sciences and Social/Behavioral Sciences | 10 | |
| Media and Society (Core Requirement) | 3 | |
Area III: Laboratory Science Course (4 credits) 1 | ||
Choose One More Class from Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences Course ( 3 credits) 1 | ||
| Area V: Humanities 1 | 3 | |
| Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts 1 | 3 | |
| General Education Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Viewing a Wider World Courses 2 | 6 | |
| Departmental/College Requirements | ||
| Core Requirements (Required of Majors) | ||
| JOUR 110 | Media Writing I | 3 |
| JOUR 201 | Introduction to Multimedia Journalism | 3 |
| JOUR 210 | Copyediting | 3 |
| JOUR 493 | Media Law | 3 |
| Advanced Requirements 4 | ||
| Introductory Professional Courses 5 | 3-6 | |
| Introduction to Advertising | 3 | |
| Media Writing II | 3 | |
| Media Graphic Design | 3 | |
| Introduction to Public Relations | 3 | |
| Media Internship | 3 | |
| Media Practicum | 1-3 | |
| Intermediate Professional Courses | 3-6 | |
| Sports Writing and Reporting | 3 | |
| Advertising/Copywriting | 3 | |
| News 22 | 1-3 | |
| Public Relations Storytelling | 3 | |
| Media Planning and Buying | 3 | |
| Advanced/ Capstone Professional Courses | 3-6 | |
| Media Writing III | 3 | |
| Advertising & Public Relations Campaigns | 3 | |
| IMC Campaign | 3 | |
| Media Courses 6 | 3 | |
| Media History | 3 | |
| Mass Media Ethics | 3 | |
| Women and the Media | 3 | |
| Social Media Management and Analytics | 3 | |
| Sports & Entertainment P.R. | 3 | |
| Environmental, Social, & Governance Public Relations | 3 | |
| Media Research | 3 | |
| Special Topics | 3 | |
| Media Theory | 3 | |
| Independent Study in Media | 1-3 | |
| Second Language Requirement: (required- see below) | 4-8 | |
| Electives, to bring the total credits to 120 7 | 41-54 | |
27 credits must be Upper Division | ||
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses
- 2
See the Viewing a Wider World section of the catalog for a full list of courses
- 3
Students must complete 30 credits of non-core courses, including at least one course from each category listed above, introductory professional course, intermedia professional course, capstone course, and media course. Number of credits listed next to each category is recommended, not required. Entry into courses is subject to successful completion of appropriate prerequisites.
- 4
All introductory classes, except JOUR 310 Media Writing II and JOUR 374 Introduction to Public Relations, do not require any prerequisite class to get into these classes. Students must successfully finish JOUR 210 Copyediting to get into JOUR 310 Media Writing II and JOUR 110 Media Writing I to get into JOUR 374 Introduction to Public Relations
- 5
Students should take at least one class from media courses.
- 6
Elective credit may vary based on prerequisites, dual credit, AP credit, double majors, and/or minor coursework. The amount indicated in the requirements list is the amount needed to bring the total to 120 credits and may appear in variable form based on the degree. However students may end up needing to complete more or less on a case-by-case basis and students should discuss elective requirements with their advisor.
Second Language Requirement
For the Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies there is a one year second language requirement, the options to complete this requirement are listed below. The number of credits that a student needs to take may vary depending on what level they come in with. Please speak with an advisor for more information as to which courses you will need to take to fulfill the second language requirement for this degree.
Option 1:
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following sequences: | ||
| FREN 1110 & FREN 1120 | French I and French II | 4-8 |
| GRMN 1110 & GRMN 1120 | German I and German II | 4-8 |
| JAPN 1110 & JAPN 1120 | Japanese I and Japanese II | 4-8 |
| SPAN 1110 & SPAN 1120 | Spanish I and Spanish II | 4-8 |
| PORT 1110 & PORT 1120 | Portuguese I and Portuguese II | 3-6 |
| For Heritage Speakers: | ||
| SPAN 1210 & SPAN 1220 | Elementary Spanish for Heritage Learners I and Spanish for Heritage Learners II | 3-6 |
| or SPAN 2210 | Spanish for Heritage Learners III | |
Option 2:
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete the following sequence for American Sign Language (with a C- or better): | ||
| SIGN 1110 | American Sign Language I | 3 |
| SIGN 1120 | American Sign Language II | 3 |
Option 3:
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Challenge the 1120 level for the following courses: | ||
| FREN 1120 | French II | 4 |
| or GRMN 1120 | German II | |
| or JAPN 1120 | Japanese II | |
| or SPAN 1120 | Spanish II | |
OR | ||
| Challenge the 1120/1220/2210 level for the following courses: | ||
| PORT 1120 | Portuguese II | 3 |
| or SPAN 1220 | Spanish for Heritage Learners II | |
| or SPAN 2210 | Spanish for Heritage Learners III | |
Option 4:
Pass a three-credit, upper-division course (numbered 300 or above) taught in a second language by the department of Languages and Linguistics.
Option 5:
Obtain college certification of completion of three years of a second language at the high school level with a grade of C- or higher in the second-year level.
Option 6:
By obtaining certification of a working knowledge of a Native American language from the American Indian program director.
Option 7:
By obtaining, from the head of the Department of Languages and Linguistics, certification of a working knowledge of a second language if such language is not taught at NMSU.
Option 8:
In the case of a foreign student who is required to take the TOEFL exam admission, the dean will automatically waive the second language requirement.
A Suggested Plan of Study for Students
This roadmap assumes student placement in MATH 1130G Survey of Mathematics MATH 1130G Survey of Mathematics MATH 1130G Survey of MathematicsMATH 1130G Survey of Mathematics and ENGL 1110G Composition I. The contents and order of this roadmap may vary depending on initial student placement in mathematics and English. It is only a suggested plan of study for students and is not intended as a contract. Course availability may vary from fall to spring semester and may be subject to modification or change.
Below are the roadmaps for the Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Journalism and Media Studies, the department has four focus areas that students can follow to complete their degree in an area of study that benefits them: a general journalism and media studies, advertising, broadcasting and multimedia/photojournalism focuses. These are not considered official concentrations and will not appear on a student's transcript or within their student record.
General Focus
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENGL 1110G | Composition I (C- or better) | 4 |
| Area II: Mathematics Course 1 | 3-4 | |
| Survey of Mathematics (C- or better (Recommended)) | ||
| JOUR 105G | Media and Society (C- or better, and will count for Gen. Ed) | 3 |
| Area V: Humanities Course 1 | 3 | |
| JOUR 110 | Media Writing I | 3 |
| Credits | 16-17 | |
| Spring | ||
| JOUR 201 | Introduction to Multimedia Journalism | 3 |
| JOUR 210 | Copyediting | 3 |
| Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Professional and Technical Communication Honors | ||
| Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | ||
| Area III: Laboratory Science Course 1 | 4 | |
| Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences Course 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Introductory Professional Course (C- or better) | 3 | |
| Introductory Professional Course (C- or better) | 3 | |
| Choose from one of the following: | 3 | |
| Effective Leadership and Communication in Agriculture | ||
| Introduction to Communication | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Introduction to Communication Honors | ||
| General Education Elective Course 1 | 3 | |
| Second Language Requirement: 1110- level 3 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| JOUR Introductory Professional Course (C- or better) 5 | 3 | |
| Intermediate Professional Course (C- or better) | 3 | |
| Elective Course 4 | 3 | |
| Second Language Requirement: 1120- level 3 | 4 | |
| Elective Course 4 | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| JOUR Introductory Professional Course (C- or better) 5 | 3 | |
| JOUR Intermediate Professional Course (C- or better) 6 | 3 | |
| JOUR - Media Course (C- or better) 7 | 3 | |
| Elective - Upper Division Course 4 | 3 | |
| VWW - Viewing a Wider World 8 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| JOUR - Upper Division Elective (C- or better) | 3 | |
| JOUR - Upper Division Elective (C- or better) | 3 | |
| JOUR Advanced Professional Course 9 | 3 | |
| VWW - Viewing a Wider World 8 | 3 | |
| Elective- Upper Division Course 4 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| JOUR 493 | Media Law (C- or better) | 3 |
| JOUR - Upper Division Elective Course (C- or better) | 3 | |
| JOUR - Upper Division Elective Course (C- or better) | 3 | |
| Elective- Upper Division Course 4 | 3 | |
| Elective- Upper Division Course 4 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| JOUR Advanced Professional Course 9 | 3 | |
| JOUR - Upper Division Elective Course (C- or better) | 3 | |
| Elective - Upper Division Course 4 | 3 | |
| Elective Course 4 | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 121-122 | |
- 1
See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses.
- 2
Second Language: options for completing the second language requirement can be located on the Requirements tab for this degree.
- 3
Elective credit may vary based on second language requirements, prerequisites, dual credit, AP credit, double majors, and/or minor coursework. The amount indicated in the requirements list is the amount needed to bring the total to 120 credits and may appear in variable form based on the degree. However students may end up needing to complete more or less on a case-by-case basis and students should discuss elective requirements with their advisor.
- 4
Introductory Professional Courses: JOUR 300 Introduction to Advertising, JOUR 310 Media Writing II, JOUR 321 Media Graphic Design, JOUR 374 Introduction to Public Relations, JOUR 407 Media Internship, JOUR 408 Media Practicum
- 5
Intermediate Professional Courses: JOUR 384 Public Relations Storytelling, JOUR 312 Advertising/Copywriting, JOUR 425 Media Planning and Buying
- 6
Media Course options for the Upper Division JOUR requirment: JOUR 350 Media History, JOUR 377V Mass Media Ethics, JOUR 380 Women and the Media, JOUR 457 Social Media Management and Analytics, JOUR 460 Sports & Entertainment P.R., JOUR 470 Environmental, Social, & Governance Public Relations, JOUR 489 Media Research, JOUR 494 Special Topics, JOUR 495 Media Theory, JOUR 499 Independent Study in Media
- 7
See the Viewing a Wider World section of the catalog for a full list of courses.
- 8
Advanced/Capstone Professional Courses: JOUR 427 Media Writing III , JOUR 476 Advertising & Public Relations Campaigns, JOUR 490 IMC Campaign