Curious about the media’s impact on society? Here are the academic requirements you’ll need to complete to get a degree in media studies from the SOJC.

How to Earn a Media Studies Degree

Step 1: If you're an incoming student, declare “pre-advertising," "pre-journalism,” "pre-media studies," or "pre-public relations" on your UO application. Current UO students in other majors can fill out our pre-major application form.  

Step 2: Complete the SOJC’s pre-major core requirements and courses below.

Step 3: Apply for full major status with the SOJC.

Step 4: Complete the SOJC full major core required courses. 

Step 5: Take seven core context courses in media theory and analysis. You can take them at the same time as your media studies sequence courses (see Step 6).

Step 6: Complete the media studies sequence requirements. You can take these courses at the same time as the core context courses.

Step 7: Complete all other general education and general studies requirements. You can complete these while you're working through the steps above.

Step 8: Apply for your degree. Congrats—you made it!

Minimum Requirements

To graduate with an SOJC degree, you’ll also need to complete:

Pre-Major Requirements—Complete Before Applying for Full Major

You’ll begin your SOJC journey as a pre-major, so be sure to declare “pre-media studies” on your UO application. Before taking the next step to become a full SOJC major, you’ll need to complete these pre-major requirements, ideally during your first year.

1. Pre-Major Core Courses

2. UO Writing Requirement (Clark Honors College students are exempt from this requirement.)

Full SOJC Major Core—All SOJC Students Complete

During the term you expect to complete the pre-major requirements, you should submit an application for full major status. Once you’re accepted as an SOJC full major, you’ll need to complete the courses below.

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 media studies sequence courses. If you’re an SOJC Honors student, you’ll meet some of these requirements with your honors courses.

Choose 2 of the following courses:

* Any course listed under the same course number will count. Course titles offered within each topic will vary. These courses are repeatable if the topics have different titles.

Media Studies Sequence Requirements—Media Studies Majors Complete

Once you've completed the full major core, you can start registering for the courses below to complete your media studies degree.

General Studies Requirements—All Media Studies Students Complete

All media studies students must complete at least 104 non-SOJC credits. These credits must include the following:

• 16 literature credits 
• 8 history credits
• 8 economics credits
• 8 credits in three additional College of Arts and Sciences subject areas

Electives—Complete 8+ Credits

You’ll need at least 8 SOJC elective credits to reach the minimum 72 credits required. You can repeat any of the following media studies courses for elective credit as long as the topics are different from the ones you used to fulfill your other requirements. Here's a sampling of media studies–related courses you could choose:

Academic Support and Career Advising

Need some guidance? Our academic advisors are here for you. The SOJC Student Services 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 Student Services on the ground floor of Allen Hall or make an appointment to get on track to meet your goals.