Program Structure

The Major in Journalism explores the art of storytelling in the digital age. The program offers a variety of courses that allow students to develop storytelling skills using multi-media tools, including video, photography, sound, and social media platforms. The program promotes strong writing skills, the exploration of media ethics and the influence of new media in society. The program is designed for students with an interest in professional journalism and digital content production.

Please follow the program structure outlined in the Academic Calendar from your FIRST academic year as a student at St. Thomas University. Find the Academic Calendars HERE. If you have any questions, please contact your academic advisor. 

Journalism Major: Core Courses & Electives

Students who major in Journalism are required to complete 36 credit hours of Journalism courses, 18 credit hours of which must be at the 3000 or 4000 levels. All students majoring in Journalism are encouraged to consult with an academic advisor when choosing courses. What follows is a guide to the structure of the program.

1000 Level
The goal is to gain fundamental writing skills and an understanding the role journalism plays in society through exposure to important works of journalism.

Core Courses

JOUR 1113 – Fundamentals of Writing

JOUR 1023 – Great Stories of Journalism

2000 Level
The goal is to prepare students to tell stories in journalistic form through the study of ethics and law, various new media technologies, and fundamentals of reporting.

Core Courses

JOUR 2113 – Toolbox 1

JOUR 2063 – Ethics and Law

JOUR 2123 – Toolbox 2

JOUR 2033 – Local Reporting

3000 Level
The goal is to offer students core courses in digital journalism, podcasting and advanced writing, and variety of elective courses that allow them to pursue their own interests in various forms of journalism such as photography, documentary, commentary, business and food reporting.

Core Courses

JOUR 3153 – Digital Journalism

JOUR 3023 – Radio and Podcasting

JOUR 3033 – The Power of Narrative

Electives

JOUR 3013 – Through the Lens

JOUR 3143 – Documentary

JOUR 3173 – Interviewing

JOUR 3163 – New Media and Social Change

JOUR 3703 – Commentary Journalism

JOUR 3803 – Business Journalism

Cross-Listed Courses

ENGL 2783 – Literary Non-Fiction: The Art of Fact

ENGL 3563 – Drama and its Critics

4000 Level
In the final year of the program, journalism students will be challenged with assignments that require advanced research, writing and production skills appropriate to the practice of good journalism. A capstone Senior Seminar in Journalism is a required course for the Journalism major. In addition, students are encouraged to take the elective Internship course, which provides an opportunity to gain practical experience in a professional setting.

Core Course

JOUR 4106 – Senior Seminar in Journalism

Elective

JOUR 4116 – Journalism in the Field

Minor

Students who would like to have a Minor in Journalism must complete 18 credit hours in JOUR courses.