Minor in Journalism & Mass Communications
Communications Skills Improve Every Major
The ability to communicate effectively is one of the most sought-after skills that hiring managers look for in candidates. Adding a journalism and mass communications minor is a perfect complement to every major, no matter what field you want to specialize in.
Admission Requirements
This 18-credit hour program helps students learn to be effective communicators. Students can choose a focus in Multimedia Journalism, Digital Marketing Communication, Advertising and Public Relations, or Media Arts & Production through the selection of their elective minor course. Admission is limited and competitive. Completion of 24 credit hours with a 2.50 cumulative KU grade point average is required. Complete/enroll in JMC 101 by application period and earn C or higher. Students who have completed journalism courses beyond JMC 101 with less than a 2.5 journalism GPA will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Transfer students must earn a minimum KU cumulative GPA of 2.50 during their first semester. To graduate with a minor in journalism and mass communications, 2.5 journalism and 2.5 KU cumulative GPAs are required.
Benefits of a Journalism Minor
Students from a wide variety of majors choose to enhance their degree with a minor in journalism. Some popular majors include: Business, Film & Media Studies, Architecture & Design, Atmospheric Science and Sport Management, although students of all majors and disciplines will benefit from the versatile skills taught in the journalism minor program.
Curriculum
Students Admitted to KU Fall 2012 to Summer 2020
| Course Names and Numbers | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| JMC 101: Media and Society | 3 |
| JMC 300: Visual Storytelling | 2 |
| JMC 302: Infomania | 3 |
| JMC 304: Media Writing* | 3 |
| JMC 618: First Amendment and Society | 3 |
| Four additional credit hours from the following Journalism course offerings for which the prerequisites have been met: (Multimedia Journalism focus: JMC 410, 415, 419, 503, 534, 540, 608) (Strategic Communication focus: JMC 320, 460, 534, 608, 611, 613, 616) JMC 211 - 215 are acceptable courses to fulfill one credit hour of elective | 4 |
| Total | 18** |
*Students must complete the grammar basics module and exam before enrolling in JMC 304
**Students may be allowed to take additional elective hours, not to exceed a total of 24 JMC credits.
Students Admitted to KU Fall 2020-Summer 2022
| Course Names and Numbers | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| JMC 101: Media and Society | 3 |
| JMC 104: Words at Work: Writing Essentials | 3 |
| JMC 300: Visual Storytelling | 2 |
| JMC 302: Information Exploration | 3 |
| JMC 304: Media Writing for Audiences | 3 |
| JMC 408: Media Law and Ethics | 3 |
| JMC Tech Tools course (211-220) | 1 |
| Total | 18** |
**Students may be allowed to take additional elective hours, not to exceed a total of 24 JMC credits.
Students Admitted to KU Fall 2022 and After
| Course Names and Numbers | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| JMC 101: Media and Society | 3 |
| JMC 104: Words at Work: Writing Essentials | 3 |
| Students complete 12 additional JMC credit hours, of which at least 6 must be at the 300-level or higher. Students must meet all stated prerequisites for each course to enroll. | 12 |
| Total | 18** |
**Students may be allowed to take additional elective hours, not to exceed a total of 24 JMC credits.