COURSE CURRICULUM

The Journalism major offered by the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at San José State University is a comprehensive 120-unit program designed to prepare students for careers in modern media. The degree includes 25 units of lower division general education, 9 units of upper division GE, 2 units of physical education, and a writing requirement typically fulfilled through MCOM 100W. Students must also complete 6 units of American Institutions requirements, along with 3 units of lower division and 2–4 units of upper division Humanities and Arts college requirements. Additionally, 14–16 units of university electives or an optional minor provide flexibility for students to specialize in areas such as sports journalism, human rights, or visual storytelling.The program begins with 15 units of major preparation courses that introduce students to the media landscape, including news literacy, mass communication theory, new media technologies, and writing for mass communications. These foundational courses help students understand how media operates in society and prepare them for advanced coursework.The 42-unit major requirement focuses on practical skills and professional development. Core courses include writing for print and digital media, digital news photography, magazine reporting, editing, media management, media law and ethics, and mass communication research. A key feature of the program is hands-on experience through student media production courses such as Spartan Daily and Update News, where students create real content across different platforms. Students are also required to complete a professional internship, gaining real-world industry experience.Electives allow further specialization in areas like documentary production, podcasting, virtual media, and design. Overall, the program emphasizes a balance of theory, ethics, and hands-on practice, equipping graduates with strong storytelling, technical, and critical thinking skills needed for careers in journalism, digital media, broadcasting, and communication industries.