ACEJMC Accreditation

Chico State’s Department of Journalism and Public Relations is nationally accredited by the  Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC). 

What does being accredited mean?

A team of professionals and academics comes to our campus and talks to faculty, students and administrators. They look through our files, read our syllabi, tour our facilities, really dig into all aspects of our curriculum to ensure we teach important professional values and competencies. When we say, “we’re an accredited program,” that’s saying we have the seal of approval from ACEJMC. View ACEJMC public accountability data.

What does this mean to an employer?

Your boss will be hiring someone with deep training in the fundamentals of good journalism including intense skills instruction as well as a broadly based liberal arts experience. In short, the company will be hiring someone who is ready to take on the professional world in news or strategic communications – but also ready to excel in the world at large.

What does this mean to you?

As a graduate you can set yourself apart from other prospective candidates by putting on your resume that you’re a graduate from a nationally accredited program.

Here’s an example:

California State University, Chico • Spring 2022
Department of Journalism and Public Relations
ACEJMC Nationally Accredited Bachelor of the Arts Degree,
News or PR Options
Minor

Committed to Diversity 

The Department of Journalism and Public Relations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that reflects the rich tapestry of our community, state and society. We believe that diversity in viewpoints leads to more accurate and meaningful storytelling, and we work to build a space where every voice is valued and heard. Our commitment to inclusion goes beyond the classroom, connecting deeply with our academic, creative and community activities.

Aligned with Chico State’s strategic priorities and the standards of the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC), we are dedicated to fostering an environment that embraces diverse perspectives, freedom of expression, and mutual respect. We empower people by respecting and valuing what makes each of us unique – a principle especially important as we prepare students to enter a profession where diverse voices strengthen democracy and enrich public discourse.

By prioritizing inclusivity in our curriculum, practices, and community engagement, we aim to create a more equitable media landscape that empowers all voices. Our classrooms reflect the contributions and theories of diverse voices in the field, and we provide hands-on opportunities for students to report on the interests of diverse communities and develop strategic communication content for a range of clients and organizations.

Guided by Chico State’s mission to expand access to higher education, we focus on building a student-centered experience that promotes belonging, well-being and opportunity for everyone. We actively seek to represent a spectrum of perspectives and experiences that make our learning environment both innovative and supportive.

With these goals in mind, we are committed to advancing initiatives that serve our diverse communities and meet the needs of our students, while respecting each person’s background, expertise and worldview.