Journalism Program Degree Requirements

Interested in becoming a journalist? Here are the academic requirements you’ll need to complete to get a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the SOJC.

How to Earn a Journalism Degree

Here’s a basic overview of the path you’ll take to get to graduation:

Step 1

If you're an incoming student, declare “journalism” on your UO application. Current UO students in other majors can fill out our major application form.

Step 2

Complete the SOJC platform courses.

Step 3

Take five core context courses in media theory and analysis. You can take them at the same time as your journalism sequence courses (see Step 4).

Step 4

Complete the journalism sequence requirements, which include two general courses (12 credits), plus at least five courses (20 credits) from the track of your choice. You can take these courses at the same time as the core context courses.

Step 5

Complete a minor or concentration. You can complete these while you’re working through the steps above.

Step 6

Complete all other core education requirements. You can complete these while you're working through the steps above.

Step 7

Apply for your degree. Congrats—you made it!

Minimum Requirements

To graduate with an SOJC degree, you'll need to have:

70+
SOJC credits
40
upper-division SOJC credits
2.70
Minimum SOJC GPA

Platform Courses
All SOJC Students Complete

Once you’re accepted as an SOJC major, you’ll need to complete the courses below. Students in the SOJC Honors Program will meet some of their core context requirements with honors courses.

  • JCOM 101 Media Professions 4 credits
  • JCOM 102 Story Craft Audio 2 credits
  • JCOM 103 Story Craft Visual 2 credits
  • JCOM 201 Making Sense of Media / >2 4 credits
  • JCOM 202 How Stories Work 4 credits
  • JCOM 203 Writing as Practice 4 credits

Core Context Courses
All SOJC Students Complete

All SOJC students must complete five classes in media theory/analysis. You can take them concurrently with the journalism sequence courses. If you’re an SOJC Honors student, you’ll meet some of these requirements with your honors courses.

  • JCOM 301 Gender, Media, and Diversity 4 credits
  • JCOM 302 Communication Law / >2 4 credits
  • JCOM 303 Media Ethics / >1 4 credits
  • JCOM 304 Business of Media 4 credits
  • JCOM 305 Media History / >2 4 credits   or   JCOM 306 Global Communication / >GP 4 credits

Journalism Sequence Requirements
All Journalism Majors Complete

Once you've completed the platform courses, you can start registering for the courses below to complete your journalism degree. 

  • JCOM 330 Journalism and Democracy 4 credits
  • JCOM 331 Fundamentals of Reporting and Interviewing 8 credits

Journalism Tracks
Journalism Majors Choose One Track

You'll also choose one of three tracks within the major: Broadcast and On-Air, Photojournalism, or Reporting and Editing.

Broadcast and On-Air

  • JCOM 241 Principles of Multimedia Techniques 4 credits
  • JCOM 341 Audio Journalism I 4 credits
  • JCOM 342 Video Journalism I 4 credits
  • JCOM 343 Video Journalism II: Live Broadcast 4 credits
  • Choose one (one is required, both are recommended):
    • JCOM 441 Audio Journalism II: Narrative and Podcasting Capstone 4 credits
    • JCOM 442 Video Journalism III: Broadcast Capstone4 credits

Photojournalism

  • JCOM 241 Principles of Multimedia Techniques 4 credits
  • JCOM 345 Photojournalism I 4 credits
  • JCOM 445 Photojournalism II: Photo Story 4 credits
  • Choose two:
    • JCOM 446 Photojournalism III: Multimedia Storytelling 4 credits
    • JCOM 447 Lighting for Photo4 credits
    • JCOM 448 Topics in Visual Production4 credits

Reporting and Writing

  • JCOM 332 Public Affairs Journalism 4 credits
  • JCOM 333 Audiences 4 credits
  • Choose two:
    • JCOM 430 Topics in Reporting 4 credits
    • JCOM 431 Data Journalism4 credits
    • JCOM 432 Solutions Journalism4 credits
    • JCOM 433 Catalyst Journalism 4 credits
    • JCOM 434 Investigative Journalism4 credits
    • JCOM 435 Profiles & Narrative4 credits
    • JCOM 436 Topics in Magazine 4 credits
    • JCOM 437 Newsroom4 credits
    • JCOM 438 Science Story4 credits
    • JCOM 439 Sports Story4 credits
  • Choose one:
    • JCOM 241 Principles of Multimedia Techniques 4 credits
    • A course in the JCOM 334–349 range4 credits
    • A third course in the JCOM 430–439 range4 credits

General Studies Requirements
All SOJC Students Complete

All SOJC students must complete at least 70 non-SOJC credits. For journalism majors, choose one of the following options:

  • Non-SOJC minor
    See the UO Course Catalog for a list of applicable subject areas. Minors are 24–40 credits (6–10 courses).
  • An SOJC minor
    Select from Game Studies, Media Studies, or Science Communication minors.
  • An SOJC concentration
    Take 16 credits (four courses) from one major concentration: Design, Sports Communication, Documentary Production, Creative Production, Strategy & Leadership, Culture & Influence, or Emerging Technologies.
  • Double-major in a program outside the SOJC
    See the UO Course Catalog for a list of major options. This option cannot be completed in a traditional four-year time frame.

Academic Support and Career Advising

Need some guidance? Our academic advisors are here for you. The SOJC’s Student Success Center is your one-stop shop for undergrad academic advice and career-building tips. All undergraduate SOJC students are welcome—even if you haven’t enrolled yet. Drop in to Room 134 on the ground floor of Allen Hall or make an appointment and get on track to meet your goals.

Get Academic Support