The Journalism B.A. provides students with the skills and knowledge leading to careers in electronic and digital media. It is a limited-access degree program, which means a separate application must be submitted directly to the Nicholson School of Communication and Media in order to be considered for admission. Students choose from two focus areas:
- Digital News. For students who wish to work as writers, reporters, editors and photographers for the news media, primarily websites, newspapers and magazines.
- Electronic News. For students who desire to work in broadcast news as reporters, photographers, anchors or broadcast sports journalists.
Admission Requirements
- The Journalism program is a limited access program that requires a separate application.
- Students should apply to become Journalism majors only after completing all requirements for admission.
- Admission is based on multiple factors, not strictly GPA.
- Students must be in good academic standing.
- Attain an overall minimum 2.5 GPA based on a minimum of 30 credit hours of college work. NOTE: Meeting the minimum GPA does not guarantee admission because students are admitted on a space available basis.
- See a NSCM advisor for additional admission criteria.
- Meet a grammar proficiency standard. Students must pass a grammar proficiency exam administered by UCF’s Testing Center unless they have AP or IB credit in English or an “A-” or better in both of the following courses:
- ENC 1101 - Composition I Credit Hours: 3
- ENC 1102 - Composition II Credit Hours: 3
Application Deadlines
- October 1 to be admitted the next spring term
- February 1 to be admitted the next summer term
- June 1 to be admitted the next fall term
Degree Requirements
- Students who change degree programs (other than from Journalism Pending) and select this major must adopt the most current catalog.
- The Journalism faculty strongly recommend that majors work for a student news outlet.
- Journalism majors may obtain an off-campus internship with a news organization.
- To receive credit for an internship, students must have a 2.5 GPA in their required major courses. Students with less than a 2.5 GPA will not be given academic internship credit.
- Students can enroll in a maximum of three hours of internship credit. However, the internships must be with different employers. Each internship must be approved by and supervised by a Journalism faculty advisor.
- A portfolio of representative work must be submitted to, and approved by, a faculty committee at least one semester before graduation. At least 75% of the work must be produced while at UCF.
- Co-op or internship credit cannot be used in this major without prior approval.
- Students should consult with a school advisor.
- Of the 120 hours required for graduation, 72 hours must be taken outside of the disciplines of Communication and Media Studies (Radio-TV and Journalism) represented within the Nicholson School of Communication and Media. Of these 72 hours, 56 must be taken in the liberal arts (i.e. within the College of Arts & Humanities or the College of Sciences). Film and Digital Media courses will be permitted as liberal arts courses.
- Journalism majors must select their required minor or area of concentration from outside the Nicholson School of Communication and Media to remain below the 48 credit hour school maximum.
- The School residency requirement consists of at least 24 semester hours of regularly scheduled 3000-4000 level courses taken from the UCF Nicholson School of Communication and Media.
- The Journalism program follows the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics. Students who violate the code (plagiarizing, cheating or fabricating, for example) may be removed from the program.
- All prerequisites of courses taught within the College of Sciences will be enforced.
- Courses designated in 1 (General Education Program) and 2 (Common Program Prerequisites) are usually completed in the first 60 hours.
General Education Program (GEP) (36 Credit Hours)
- At least one course completed in each Foundation area must be a designated State General Education Core Course.
Communication Foundations (9 Credit Hours)
- ENC 1101 - Composition I Credit Hours: 3
- ENC 1102 - Composition II Credit Hours: 3
- SPC 1608 - Fundamentals of Oral Communication Credit Hours: 3
Cultural & Historical Foundations (9 Credit Hours)
- AMH 2010 - U.S. History: 1492-1877 Credit Hours: 3 (Preferred)
Group 3: (3 Credit Hours)
Select a third course from either Cultural & Historical Foundations, Area 1 or 2.
Mathematical Foundations (6 Credit Hours)
Statistics-Computers: (3 Credit Hours)
- CGS 1060C - Introduction to Computers Credit Hours: 3 (Suggested)
- STA 2014 - Principles of Statistics Credit Hours: 3 (Suggested)
Math: (3 Credit Hours)
You may substitute a higher level math with appropriate scores on the Math Placement Exam, see: https://www.sdes.ucf.edu/placement-tests/.
Select one:
- MGF 1106 - Finite Mathematics Credit Hours: 3 (Suggested)
- MGF 1107 - Explorations in Mathematics Credit Hours: 3 (Suggested)
Social Foundations (6 Credit Hours)
Group 1: (3 Credit Hours)
- POS 2041 - American National Government Credit Hours: 3 (Preferred)
Group 2: (3 Credit Hours)
Select a listed course from Social Foundations
Science Foundations (6 Credit Hours)
Common Program Prerequisites (CPP)
Complete the following:
- SPC 1608 - Fundamentals of Oral Communication Credit Hours: 3 (GEP)
Core Requirements: Basic Level (15 Credit Hours)
- Grammar Proficiency must be satisfied before enrolling in JOU 2100C.
- These courses may be completed before acceptance into the program.
- All courses specifically identified in the preceding Common Program Prerequisites section of this catalog are also required in the Basic Core, and must be taken along with the following;
Core: Required, satisfies the CPP
- SPC 1603C - Fundamentals of Technical Presentations Credit Hours: 3 (GEP/CPP)
- SPC 1608 - Fundamentals of Oral Communication Credit Hours: 3 (GEP/CPP)
Core (15 Credit Hours)
Must earn at least a “C” (2.0) in these courses in order to enroll in subsequent courses.
- JOU 2100C - News Reporting Credit Hours: 3
- JOU 3004 - History of American Journalism Credit Hours: 3
- JOU 3015 - Principles of Journalism Credit Hours: 3
- MMC 2004 - Mass Media Credit Hours: 3
- MMC 3200 - Mass Communication Law Credit Hours: 3
Core Requirements: Advanced Level (3 Credit Hours)
- These courses may be completed either before or after acceptance into the program.
- Must earn at least a “C” (2.0) in these courses in order to enroll in subsequent courses.
Select One:
- MMC 4300 - International Media Credit Hours: 3
- MMC 4303 - Hispanics in Media in the US Credit Hours: 3
- Any Nicholson School advisor approved upper-division Study Abroad course
Restricted Electives (19 Credit Hours)
- These courses can only be completed after acceptance into the program.
- (NOTE: Students may NOT use courses in the core track as an elective; students must use a different course if they have already taken one listed as a requirement in their track).
- All prerequisites of courses will be enforced.
- Courses taken from Group A and Group B must total 9 hours.
Electronic News: Select the following: (10 Credit Hours)
- RTV 3301 - Electronic Journalism I Credit Hours: 3
- RTV 3304 - Electronic Journalism II Credit Hours: 3
- RTV 3321 - Electronic News Gathering Credit Hours: 4
Digital News: Select the following: (10 Credit Hours)
- JOU 3101 - Advanced Reporting Credit Hours: 3
- RTV 3321 - Electronic News Gathering Credit Hours: 4
Select One:
- JOU 4340C - Online Journalism I Credit Hours: 3
- JOU 4342C - Multimedia Journalism Credit Hours: 3
Group A: Select from the following: (6 Credit Hours)
1 May be taken for a maximum of 3 hours.
Internships must be approved in advance by the Journalism Area Coordinator
- JOU 3101 - Advanced Reporting Credit Hours: 3
- JOU 3130 - In-Depth Reporting Credit Hours: 3
- JOU 3184C - Metro Reporting Credit Hours: 3
- JOU 3201 - Editing I Credit Hours: 3
- JOU 3202 - Editing II Credit Hours: 3
- JOU 3310 - Social Media Writing for Magazines Credit Hours: 3
- JOU 3313C - Sports Reporting Credit Hours: 3
- JOU 3320 - News Producing Credit Hours: 3
- JOU 3510 - Magazine Publishing Credit Hours: 3
- JOU 3951 - Knightly Latino Credit Hours: 3
- JOU 4181 - Public Affairs Reporting Credit Hours: 3
- JOU 4340C - Online Journalism I Credit Hours: 3
- JOU 4213C - Page Design Credit Hours: 3
- JOU 4300 - Feature Writing Credit Hours: 3
- JOU 4306C - Critical Writing Credit Hours: 3
- JOU 4308 - Freelance Writing Credit Hours: 3
- JOU 4342C - Multimedia Journalism Credit Hours: 3
- JOU 4447 - Magazine Editing and Production Credit Hours: 3
- JOU 4941 Internship Credit Hours: 11
- PGY 3610C - Photojournalism I Credit Hours: 3
- PGY 3620C - Photojournalism II Credit Hours: 3
- RTV 3301 - Electronic Journalism I Credit Hours: 3
- RTV 3304 - Electronic Journalism II Credit Hours: 3
- RTV 4591C - Webcasting I Credit Hours: 3
- RTV 4681 - Television News Credit Hours: 4
Group B: Select from the following: (3 Credit Hours)
1 May be taken for a maximum of 3 hours
Additional restricted electives can be taken as approved by an advisor.
Internships must be approved in advance by the Journalism Program Coordinator
- JOU 3301 - Journalism Readings Credit Hours: 3
- JOU 4941 Internship Credit Hours: 11
- MMC 3420 - Mass Media Research Methods Credit Hours: 3
- MMC 3630 - Social Media as Mass Communication Credit Hours: 3
- MMC 4263 - New Media Technologies Credit Hours: 3
- MMC 4300 - International Media Credit Hours: 3
- MMC 4303 - Hispanics in Media in the US Credit Hours: 3
- MMC 4602 - Contemporary Media Issues Credit Hours: 3
- RTV 3007 - Development and Structure of Electronic Media and New Technology Credit Hours: 3
- RTV 3511 - Production Fundamentals and Aesthetics of Electronic Media Credit Hours: 3
- RTV 4403 - Electronic Media, Technology, and Society Credit Hours: 3
- RTV 4503 - Sports Programming in Electronic Media Credit Hours: 3
- RTV 4505 - Program Issues for TV & Motion Pictures Credit Hours: 3
- RTV 4700 - Regulation of Broadcasting Credit Hours: 3
- RTV 4800 - Broadcast Management Credit Hours: 3
Capstone Requirements (4 Credit Hours)
Electronic News: (4 Credit Hours)
- RTV 4681 - Television News Credit Hours: 4
Digital News: (4 Credit Hours)
- JOU 4950 - Senior Capstone in Journalism Credit Hours: 4
Electives
- Select primarily from upper level courses, with school advisor’s approval. Must be from outside of the Nicholson School of Communication and Media in order to not exceed the 41 credit hour cap. The majority of electives should be taken in the Liberal Arts and Sciences to comply with the 56 hour Liberal Arts requirement.
Foreign Language Requirements
Admissions
- Met by graduation requirement
Graduation
- Proficiency equivalent to two semesters of college instruction in a foreign language (taught by the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures or Judaic Studies) or in American Sign Language (ASL). Standardized examinations for foreign languages may be used. ASL proficiency is met by successful completion of ASL 2140 and ASL 2150 or an appropriate score on the ASL proficiency exam. Contact the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (https://healthprofessions.ucf.edu/csd/) regarding the ASL proficiency examination. Consult with the NSCM advising staff to understand how choosing ASL impacts hours needed to graduate.
Additional Requirements
Required Minors
- Journalism majors must complete an 18 hour minor in an academic area outside of the Nicholson School of Communication and Media. The exceptions are the minors in Film (Cinema Studies) and Digital Media. When no official minor is offered, students may complete an 18-credit-hour area of concentration approved by the Program Coordinator.
- The minor or area of concentration must be from outside of the Nicholson School of Communication and Media in order to not exceed the 41 credit hour cap, the exceptions being the minors in Film (Cinema Studies) and Digital Media.
Departmental Exit Requirements
- Acceptance of portfolio by faculty.
- To avoid delaying graduation, you must request a review of requirements before registering for your last term.
- Students must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all UCF Nicholson School of Communication and Media (NSCM) courses taken in the major.
- All attempts of UCF NSCM courses that could meet major requirements are included in the major GPA calculation, including those taken beyond the minimum required (e.g. additional restricted electives).
University Minimum Exit Requirements
- A 2.0 UCF GPA
- 48 semester hours of upper division credit completed
- 60 semester hours earned after CLEP awarded
- 30 of the last 39 hours of course work must be completed in residency at UCF.
- A maximum of 45 hours of extension, correspondence, CLEP, Credit by Exam, and Armed Forces credits permitted.
- Complete the General Education Program, the Gordon Rule, and nine hours of Summer credit.
Total Undergraduate Credit Hours Required: 120
Additional Information
Honors In Major
- Application and admissions through The Burnett Honors College and department. More information about Honors in the Major can be found at honors.ucf.edu/research
Related Programs
- English, Creative Writing (B.A.)
- English, Technical Communication (B.A.)
Certificates
Related Minors
- NOTE: Minors taught within the Nicholson School of Communication and Media (with the exception of Film, Cinema Studies Minor and Digital Media Minor) are not open to Journalism majors.
- English, Creative Writing Minor
- English, Linguistics Minor
- English, Literature Minor
- English, Technical Communication Minor
- Writing and Rhetoric Minor
- History Minor
- Magazine Journalism Minor
- Political Science Minor
- Sociology Minor
Advising Notes
- It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that course prerequisites have been satisfied before registering for a class.
- Students are urged to contact their school advisor before registering for courses.
Transfer Notes
- Lower division courses do not substitute for upper division courses.
- Courses transferred from private and out-of-state schools must be evaluated for equivalency credit. The student must provide all supporting information.
Acceptable Substitutes for Transfer Courses
Program Academic Learning Compacts
- Program Academic Learning Compacts (student learning outcomes) for undergraduate programs are located at: http://www.oeas.ucf.edu/alc/academiclearningcompacts.html
Equipment Fees
- Part-Time Student: $45 per term
- Full-Time Student: $90 per term
Plan of Study
- One of numerous possible plans of study. See program description for all requirements.
- Consult a school advisor for alternate, new or more appropriate selections.
- Use your Pegasus Path planning tool in your myUCF portal to plan your courses through to graduation.
- Although most classes are listed as being taken during the academic year, you may be required to complete 9 hours of them during the Summer. Consult with an advisor to determine if you are exempt.
Freshman Year - Fall (13 Credit Hours)
- ENC 1101 - Composition I Credit Hours: 3
- GEP Credit Hours: 3
- Foreign Language (XXX1120) Credit Hours: 4
- MGF 1106 - Finite Mathematics Credit Hours: 3
- or
- MGF 1107 - Explorations in Mathematics Credit Hours: 3
Freshman Year - Spring (13 Credit Hours)
- ENC 1102 - Composition II Credit Hours: 3
- SPC 1608 - Fundamentals of Oral Communication Credit Hours: 3
- STA 2014 - Principles of Statistics Credit Hours: 3
- Foreign Language (XXX1121) Credit Hours: 4
Freshman Year - Summer (3 Credits)
Sophomore Year - Fall (12 Credit Hours)
- MMC 2004 - Mass Media Credit Hours: 3
- GEP Credit Hours: 3
- GEP Credit Hours: 3
- Elective-Minor Credit Hours: 3
Sophomore Year - Spring (15 Credit Hours)
Apply for admission by Feb 1
- JOU 2100C - News Reporting Credit Hours: 3
- GEP Credit Hours: 3
- GEP Credit Hours: 3
- GEP Credit Hours: 3
- Elective-take outside of NSC Credit Hours: 3
Junior Year - Fall (16 Credit Hours)
If admitted, take...
- JOU 3015 - Principles of Journalism Credit Hours: 3
- MMC 3200 - Mass Communication Law Credit Hours: 3
- RTV 3321 - Electronic News Gathering Credit Hours: 4
- Elective-Minor Credit Hours: 3
- Elective-take outside of NSC Credit Hours: 3
Junior Year - Spring (15 Credit Hours)
- JOU 3004 - History of American Journalism Credit Hours: 3
Select One:
- MMC 4300 - International Media Credit Hours: 3
- or
- MMC 4303 - Hispanics in Media in the US Credit Hours: 3
- Restricted Elective Credit Hours: 3
- Restricted Elective Credit Hours: 3
- Elective-Minor Credit Hours: 3
Junior Year - Summer (6 Credit Hours)
- Restricted Elective-Internship Credit Hours: 3
- Elective-take outside of NSC Credit Hours: 3
Senior Year - Fall (15 Credit Hours)
Submit Journalism Portfolio
- Restricted Elective Credit Hours: 3
- Restricted Elective Credit Hours: 3
- Elective-Minor Credit Hours: 3
- Elective-Minor Credit Hours: 3
- Elective-take outside of NSC Credit Hours: 3
Senior Year - Spring (12 Credit Hours)
- Capstone Credit Hours: 4
- Elective-Minor Credit Hours: 3
- Elective-take outside of NSC Credit Hours: 3
- Elective-take outside of NSC Credit Hours: 2
