UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls

Journalism Degree Requirements

Within the context of a broad liberal arts degree program, journalism majors will concentrate on core courses in journalism and mass communication principles, media production and editing, information gathering, writing, reporting practicums and mass communication law.

Electives may be taken in a variety of subject areas such as history of documentary, history of mass communication, public opinion, international communication, mass media and society, media ethics, visual communication, and specialized media writing and production.

Recommended areas of study for a minor or double major include environmental science, political science, philosophy, sociology, psychology, English, art, economics, film studies, geography, history, international studies, agriculture or business. Journalism majors may not double major or minor in the mass communication emphasis offered in the Communication Studies.

A student who desires to teach journalism at the secondary school level would minor in journalism and pursue a degree through the College of Education and Professional Studies.

Journalism Major Journalism Minor

Journalism Major

Journalism Major 43 cr. hrs.

Core Requirements: 30 cr. hrs.

JOUR 110 Principles of Journalism 6 cr.
JOUR 201 Information Gathering 3 cr.
JOUR 202 Print News Writing 
OR JOUR 203 Broadcast News Writing 3 cr.
JOUR 240 Introduction to Visual Communication 3 cr.
JOUR 340 Media Management for News Entrepreneurs 3 cr.
JOUR 404 News Service 3 cr.
JOUR 465 Mass Communication Law 3 cr.

Two of the following production courses: 4 cr.

JOUR 221 Radio News Production 2 cr.
JOUR 222 TV News Photography 2 cr.
JOUR 224 Online Media Production 2 cr.

Directed Electives, selected from the following: 9 cr.

JOUR 250 First Amendment in American Society 3 cr.
JOUR 266 Photojournalism 3 cr.
JOUR 269 Multimedia Storytelling 3 cr.
JOUR 289 Special Topics in Journalism
and Mass Communication 1-3 cr.
JOUR 302 History of Documentary
JOUR 303 Documentary Production 3 cr.
JOUR 305 News in the Movies
JOUR 315 Race, Class and News
JOUR 316 Media Ethics
JOUR 319 The Media and American Politics
JOUR 345 History of Mass Communication
JOUR 350 Mass Communication in the Global Age 3 cr.
JOUR 360 Opinion Writing 3 cr.
JOUR 378 Semester Abroad Research 3-6 cr.
JOUR 379 Internship in Journalism 1-3 cr.
JOUR 389 Special Topics in Journalism
and Mass Communication 1-3 cr.
JOUR 455 Mass Media and Society
JOUR 489 Special Topics in Journalism
and Mass Communication 1-3 cr.
JOUR 490 Readings in Journalism and
Mass Communication 1-3 cr.
JOUR 499 Independent Projects in Journalism
and Mass Communication 1-3 cr.

Required Supporting Course.

JOUR 101 Introduction to Mass Communication 3 cr.
(Note that the course also fulfills the General Education ethical citizenship requirement.)

Journalism Minor

Journalism Studies Minor 24 cr.

Core Requirements 15 cr.
JOUR 110 Principles and Ethics of Journalism 6 cr.
JOUR 240 Introduction to Visual Communication 3 cr.
JOUR 340 Media Management for News Entrepreneurs 3 cr.
JOUR 465 Mass Communication Law 3 cr.
Directed Electives: Select three from the following: 9 cr.
JOUR 250 The First Amendment in American Society 3 cr.
JOUR 302 History of Documentary 3 cr.
JOUR 305 News in Popular Culture 3 cr.
JOUR 315 Race, Class and News 3 cr.
JOUR 316 Media Ethics 3 cr.
JOUR 319 The Media and American Politics 3 cr.
JOUR 345 History of Mass Communication 3 cr.
JOUR 350 Mass Communication in the Global Age 3 cr.
JOUR 455 Mass Media and Society 3 cr.

Required supporting course: 3 cr.
JOUR 101 Introduction to Mass Communication 3 cr.
(Note that the course also fulfills the General Education ethical citizenship requirement.)

Contact Us

Journalism Office
310 North Hall
715-425-3169 phone
715-425-0658 fax
journalism@uwrf.edu

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