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 1110GComposition I4
English Composition - Level 2
Choose one from the following:3
Professional and Technical Communication Honors3
Writing in the Humanities and Social Science3
Oral Communication
Choose one from the following:3
Effective Leadership and Communication in Agriculture3
Introduction to Communication3
Public Speaking3
Introduction to Communication Honors3
Area II: Mathematics 1
MATH 1130GSurvey of Mathematics (Recommended)3
Area III/IV: Laboratory Sciences and Social/Behavioral Sciences10
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 13
Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts 13
General Education Elective 13
Viewing a Wider World Courses 26
Departmental/College Requirements
Core Requirements (Required of Majors)
JOUR 110Media Writing I3
JOUR 201Introduction to Multimedia Journalism3
JOUR 210Copyediting3
JOUR 493Media Law3
Advanced Requirements 4
Introductory Professional Courses 53-6
Introduction to Advertising3
Media Writing II3
Media Graphic Design3
Introduction to Public Relations3
Media Internship3
Media Practicum1-3
Intermediate Professional Courses3-6
Sports Writing and Reporting3
Advertising/Copywriting3
News 221-3
Public Relations Storytelling3
Media Planning and Buying3
Advanced/ Capstone Professional Courses3-6
Media Writing III3
Advertising & Public Relations Campaigns3
IMC Campaign3
Media Courses 63
Media History3
Mass Media Ethics3
Women and the Media3
Social Media Management and Analytics3
Sports & Entertainment P.R.3
Environmental, Social, & Governance Public Relations3
Media Research3
Special Topics3
Media Theory3
Independent Study in Media1-3
Second Language Requirement: (required- see below)4-8
Electives, to bring the total credits to 120 741-54
27 credits must be Upper Division
Total Credits120
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 1110American Sign Language I3
SIGN 1120American Sign Language II3

Option 3:

Prefix Title Credits
Challenge the 1120 level for the following courses:
FREN 1120French II4
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 1120Portuguese II3
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

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
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
 Credits16-17
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
 Credits16
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
 Credits16
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
 Credits16
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
 Credits15
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
 Credits15
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
 Credits15
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
 Credits12
 Total Credits121-122
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 MediaJOUR 457 Social Media Management and AnalyticsJOUR 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