During this one-year program, you’ll get a foundation in professional journalistic skills and the theory behind them. Consult the UO Class Schedule to find out when these courses are offered and register. Video, photo, and audio classes require prior experience and/or permission from the program director, Will Yurman.
Core Courses
JCOM 508 Reporting and Information Gathering 4 credits
In this basic news-gathering and writing class, you’ll get extensive writing practice inside and outside of class in a variety of forms, including news, features, interviews, and multimedia scripts.
JCOM 508 Visual Studies in Journalism 4 credits
In this lab- and portfolio-intensive course, you’ll learn visual reporting techniques with an emphasis on praxis/theory, law, and ethics of photojournalism and videography.
JCOM 410/510 Law and Business for Documentary and Journalism 4 credits
Learn about the business and legal issues facing journalists and documentarians.
JCOM 654 Rights and Responsibilities in Journalism 4 credits
Journalists need to understand their rights to report, which starts in the U.S. with the First Amendment, and their responsibilities as ethical journalists and human beings. This course explores the ethical and legal considerations that shape the field of professional journalism in the United States.
JCOM 610 Public Affairs Journalism 4 credits
This course will elevate the quality of your journalism by broadening your reporting experiences, strengthening your news-gathering skills, and giving you tools to sharpen your writing.
JCOM 611 Media and Society 4 credits
Learn the social, technological, economic, and political trends that influence communication practice in the digital age and analyze the forces challenging legacy news organizations today.
Terminal Project / Internship
JCOM 604 Internship 4 credits
To meet the requirement, internships typically must offer 20 hours a week for at least eight weeks. Recent graduates have landed internships at NPR, Oregon Public Broadcasting, Newsday, and High Country News. You can ask you advisor for help finding an internship, browse the SOJC Job and Internship Database, or apply for the highly competitive Charles Snowden Program for Excellence in Journalism.
JCOM 609 Terminal Project 4 credits
You can write a thesis, or you can produce a feature-length article or journalistic multimedia piece for publication. Browse the Journalism Master’s Program Student Work Feed to find some examples of past terminal projects and other student work.
Electives
JCOM 521 Documentary Production 4 credits
Use the tools of video storytelling to produce compelling visual nonfiction.
JCOM 562 Reporting II 4 credits
Learn and practice in-depth reporting on public affairs and community news. Offered fall term.
JCOM 563 Audio Storytelling 4 credits
Explore the fast-growing world of audio and produce your own podcast.
JCOM 563 Investigative Reporting 4 credits
Harness the power of documents and data to uncover stories that matter.
JCOM 563 Solutions Journalism 4 credits
Flip the frame of conventional journalistic storytelling and examine how people and institutions are solving complex problems.
JCOM 563 Engaged Journalism 4 credits
Connect with communities by using the tools of civic engagement.
JCOM 563 Data Journalism 4 credits
Build spreadsheets and mine databases to identify stories that reporters often overlook.
JCOM 566 Advanced Photojournalism 4 credits
Practice intensive visual reporting techniques, with emphasis on digital production, color, lighting, in-depth storytelling, documentary, and portfolio. Topics change each term.
JCOM 569 OR Magazine 4 credits
Multi-award-winning digital publication OR Magazine uncovers fascinating and eclectic stories unique to Oregon. Students traverse the state and challenge the boundaries of conventional storytelling, using cutting-edge digital technology and multimedia to reimagine magazines through interactive writing, video, audio, and photojournalism.
JCOM 575 Flux Magazine Production 4 credits
Participate in the planning and production of Flux Magazine, the SOJC’s student-produced annual publication. Students write and edit stories, take photos, shoot video, sell ads, and design the magazine.
JCOM 583 Journalistic Interview 4 credits
Learn how to gather information by asking questions. This class covers literature and research on the techniques of listening, nonverbal communication, and psychological dynamics of the interview relationship in journalistic situations. Offered fall term.
JCOM 578 Science Story 4 credits
This topics course focuses on creating stories about science, with an emphasis on incorporating science communication research into the process of tailoring story strategies to specific audiences. This reporting project dedicated to empowering student discovery through science storytelling, using a variety of multimedia techniques.
JCOM 651 Fundamentals of Reporting 4 credits
Journalism requires strong writing, and strong writing begins with strong reporting. This class is designed to teach the fundamental skills required to be a journalist—research, interviewing, analysis, and writing—and will provide the foundation for success in the Journalism Master's program.
JCOM 652 Multimedia Fundamentals 4 credits
Journalism requires skills beyond writing. This class will give students basic skills in audio, photography, and video reporting through lectures and hands-on assignments.
Questions?
Need some guidance? Here are a few options:
- Download our graduate handbook for more details about program requirements and resources.
- Contact our graduate recruiter with questions about the program, the application process, and admission.