College of Communication & Education

BA in Journalism

Overview

The Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism provides graduates with foundational storytelling and technology skills for jobs in today’s most demanding digital environments, including news, corporate communications, creative agencies and startups. With options in news and public relations, students explore the diversity of communities and experiment with emerging technology while learning reporting, writing, visual communication, critical thinking and ethics. Students get hands-on experience working as reporters and public relations professionals through our student experiential learning labs, The Orion and Tehama Group Communications.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Journalism & Public Relations is to prepare Chico State students for careers as professional communicators and to be curious, knowledgeable, ethical and engaged.

Goals & Objectives

Students who complete the major in journalism will:

  • Have a portfolio of published work across print and digital channels that demonstrates the foundational content production skills of information gathering, audience analysis, writing and message strategy, editing, visual presentation, distribution strategy, fairness and accuracy;
  • Experiment with emerging technologies impacting professionals in news and public relations;
  • Demonstrate an ability to communicate with and on behalf of diverse communities;
  • Practice and express the core ethical values of our professions and demonstrate high standards of professionalism; and,
  • Understand and articulate the value of free speech to a democratic society.

Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the major in journalism should demonstrate the ability to:

  • Think critically, creatively and independently.
  • Apply professional standards and ethical practice of journalism and public relations.
  • Work with and convey information to diverse communities.
  • Understand the history, purpose and relevance of the First Amendment and media law, including privacy, libel, copyright, intellectual property and freedom of information.
  • Create audience-appropriate content by conducting research via digital channels, interviewing, fact checking, writing across multiple platforms and engaging audiences with visual tools.
  • Demonstrate digital information and number literacy, as well as explain the evolution of media technologies.
  • Demonstrate competency in grammar, spelling and Associated Press style while editing their work and the work of others with accuracy and consistency.
  • Professionally package and transmit information via current and emerging technologies and work as part of a team in producing such work.