The journalism department is making some changes to its graduation requirements. Incoming freshmen and students who declare the major after April 1, 2009 will be required to graduate under the new plan.

 

If you declared your major before April  2009, you retain rights to graduate under the current plan, but you MAY choose to graduate under the new plan. You would make that choice when filing for graduation clearance.

 

Differences between old and new graduation plans

Both options:

·         Under the old plan, you are required to have 124 total units to graduate. Under the new plan you will be required to have only 120 units.

·         But the new plan will require 40 units in the major (the old plan requires only 34 units in the major).

·         The new plan requires all journalism majors to take a new core course, JOUR 255, Introduction to Online Journalism. The other three units will depend on the option.

 

News-Editorial option: 

Under the new plan, news-editorial option students will have to select two courses under Group C, the visual communication electives. (Currently only one course is required). The choices will include JOUR 351 PR Publications, JOUR 353 Photojournalism, JOUR 453 Advanced Photojournalism, JOUR 355 Internet Newspapers and Magazines, and JOUR 455 Online Presentation of News and Public Relations. 

 

Public Relations option:

Under the new plan, public relations option students will be required to take a new three-unit course, JOUR 342 Public Relations Research.

 

Summary of changes

In choosing the new plan, you would take four units less to graduate, but have to take six units extra in the major.

 

 

For all majors who declared before April 1, 2009: You may graduate under the old plan or the new plan if you are graduating in December 2009 or later. It's your choice.

 

For majors entering program in Fall 2009: You will be use the new plan.