Journalism, Bachelor of Science in Journalism
This degree has evolved as the needs of the modern journalist have changed and escalated. The program gives students essential professional experiences, as well as practical and philosophical tools such as ethics, reporting, editing, and publication law.
Requirements Accordion Open
To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
- All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
- All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
- At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
- At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
- A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.
The full policy can be viewed here.
Overview Accordion Closed
In addition to University Requirements:
- At least 43 units of major requirements
- Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.
- Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Major GPA | C |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 114 |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Optional |
| University Honors Program | Optional |
| AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A | Recommended |
| Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
Purpose Statement
The Journalism Program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience to tell compelling nonfiction stories across a variety of media platforms. We’ve built a strong foundation in the history, philosophy, and ethics of journalism, while emphasizing how these disciplines serve varied communities and facilitate the free flow of information essential in a democratic society. Our new curriculum will prepare students to cover breaking news and tell the types of stories that inform and resonate with local and global communities alike. These abilities equip students for careers in journalism, multimedia content creation, podcasting, radio, television, and public relations.
Students produce and publish journalism for real audiences through classwork and in our state-of-the-art Media Innovation Center, which integrates a digital newsroom, TV studio and FM radio station. Internships and independent study projects allow students to report in depth on subjects important to Flagstaff and the entire Northern Arizona region. This real-world experience promotes career success.
Our updated program was created with a goal to directly align with NAU’s emphasis on the success of underserved students, transfer students, and non-traditional students, regardless of ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, or religion. We have streamlined the JLS program, eliminated the required minor, and established partnerships with community colleges to create a value proposition that promotes success for all of our students.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will appreciate and explain the role of journalism in society.
- Students will synthesize foundational theories and journalism ethics to evaluate the newsworthiness of information used to create journalistic stories.
- Students will demonstrate a strong foundation in the history, philosophy, laws, and ethics of journalism, and use this knowledge to appropriately evaluate what material should be included in their reporting work.
- Through the practice of journalism, students will learn to analyze and evaluate potential ethical issues in real-world newsroom lab environments, and through internships.
- Students will integrate and apply diversity by utilizing information and sources that reflect an understanding of cultural differences in storytelling and the effects of cultural, political, historical, religious, ideological, and economic forces on the dissemination of information.
- Students will demonstrate proficiency by preparing journalistic material that conforms to industry standards in style, design, and display.
- Students will utilize and apply the fundamentals of storytelling and nonfiction narrative to a variety of traditional and innovative media platforms.
- Students will produce complete news stories from concept to finished product under tight deadlines, while choosing the appropriate media platform to tell the best story.
- Students will identify and apply research and reporting techniques to assemble stories on local governments, police, courts, schools, and other public or citizen entities using the Freedom of Information Act and other tools.
- Students will create and maintain their personal brand and use social media to promote their work.
Details Accordion Closed
Transfer Block
Students may transfer up to 75 units of credit from an accredited community college.
Major Requirements
Take the following 43 units with a Grade of "C" or better in each:
- COM 400, COM 402 (6 units)
- JLS 104, JLS 105, JLS 131, JLS 205, JLS 231, JLS 250 (16 units)
- PHO 100 (3 units)
- JLS 328W or JLS 335W which meet the junior-level writing requirement (3 units)
- JLS 431C which meets the senior capstone requirement (3 units)
- Select from the following (6 units):
- Students must complete any 6 units with a Grade of "C" or better from the courses below, based on their interests. We recommend students take all 6 units from one of the four areas below. (6 units)
You may not use the same course to satisfy more than one degree requirement
Although a minor is not required for the Journalism degree, we strongly encourage you to consult with your advisor or a JLS faculty member about a minor that could equip you with the knowledge to specialize in a specific journalism topic. Such minors could include a foreign language, business, ethnic studies, political science, women’s and gender studies, sociology, sustainability, various science disciplines and more.
General Electives
Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.
We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.
Additional Information
- See the School of Communication page for information about the Communication Core, Advising and Student Responsibilities, and Graduation Requirements.
All majors must earn the grade of "C" or better in their freshman composition required course, and their foundation mathematics course.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.
