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
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
J100 | Media Professions | 2 |
J101 | Grammar for Communicators | 2 |
J201 | Media and Society | 2 |
2. UO Writing Requirement (Clark Honors College students are exempt from this requirement.)
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
WR 121 | College Composition I | 4 |
WR 122 or WR 123 | College Composition II or III | 4 |
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.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
J211 | Gateway to Media | 8 |
J212 | Writing for Communicators | 4 |
J213 | Fact or Fiction | 4 |
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.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
J314 | Introduction to Media Studies | 4 |
J413 | Media Studies Capstone (prerequisite: J314; spring term only) | 4 |
Media skills course | Consult with your media studies faculty advisor to choose 1 course in an area such as reporting, multimedia, photojournalism, or magazine writing | 4 |
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:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
J412 | Issues in Communication Studies (Topic) | 4 |
J467 | Issues in International Communication Topic | 4 |
J495 | Research Methods Topic | 4 |
J496 | Issues in Communication Ethics and Law Topic | 4 |
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.