Strategic Communication and Media, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration in Multimedia Journalism
SRU's Converged Journalism program primarily emphasizes excellence in writing. As a Journalism student, you will learn to write well within a variety of media in order to excel in a mixed-media working environment. The Rocket, SRU's award-winning student newspaper, will provide you with hands-on journalism experience in print, online, and video media.
WHY CHOOSE CONVERGED JOURNALISM?
From your first day as a Journalism student, you will have an opportunity to get involved with student organizations and groups. You will learn in a small class setting that emphasizes individual learning and faculty-student collaboration. After you have some classroom experience you can practice your skills in a real-world environment as a contributor to The Rocket.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?
In addition to developing a strong foundation in journalistic-style writing, you'll become proficient in new-media journalism techniques, in a converged media package that includes audio and video production as well as web design.
CAREERS IN JOURNALISM
When you graduate with a degree in Journalism from SRU, you will be ready to begin your career at newspapers, television studios, radio stations, or websites. Other career paths include public relations, video production, sport management, and various other communication-oriented careers.
CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS
- The Rocket
- WSRU-TV
- Lambda Pi Eta
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES
Strategic COMMUNICATION and Media - MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM, BS
- 5.1 Journalistic Writing: Demonstrate the ability to develop and write news stories for print, broadcast, and digital platforms following AP professional journalistic style, with proper content, grammar, style, and editing components. (SRU SLO 1, SRU SLO 5)
- 5.2 Media Technology: Employ new-media technologies in reporting. (SRU SLO 1, SRU SLO 5, SRU SLO 10)
- 5.3 Reporting & Investigating: Employ advanced reporting and investigative skills. (SRU SLO 2, SRU SLO 5, SRU SLO 7)
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA DEPARTMENT, OVERALL
- Writing competency: Students will demonstrate the ability to write and present messages clearly and effectively. (SRU SLO 1)
- Ethics and legal issues: Students will understand ethical and legal issues facing communicators in the 21st century. (SRU SLO 8)
- Research and analysis: Students will demonstrate the ability to design and implement research studies and critically analyze research data. (SRU SLO 2)
Related Links
Strategic Communication and Media - Multimedia Journalism, BS Program Page
CURRICULUM GUIDE
GPA REQUIREMENT
Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher
SUMMARY*
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Studies 2 Requirements | 42 | |
| Other Basic Requirements | 0-3 | |
| Major/Concentration Requirements | 54-63 | |
| Electives | 24 | |
* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits. Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.
ROCK STUDIES 2 REQUIREMENTS
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The Rock | ||
| SUBJ 139 | Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Critical Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 104 | Critical Reading | 3 |
| MATH 117 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice | ||
| Ethics and Civil Discourse | ||
| Civil Discourse and Democracy | ||
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Integrated Inquiry | ||
| Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Humanities Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Social Science Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences Inquiry | ||
| SCI 101 | Science of Life | 3 |
| Physical Sciences Inquiry | ||
| SCI 102 | Understanding the Physical World | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Thematic Thread | ||
| Select 12 Credits 2 | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
- 1
Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.
- 2
One course from each category; six credits must be 300-level or above; no more than 4 credits from one subject area; specific courses required in first major, regardless of prefix of course, cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements; any course with same prefix as first major cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements, even if it is not a course in the first major.
Basic Math Requirement
Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | 0-3 | |
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR | ||
| Beginning Algebra | ||
| Total Hours | 0-3 | |
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT
Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation. Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career.
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
- 29 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
- 29 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| COMM 110 | Communication Concepts 1,2 | 3 |
| COMM 242 | Media Writing 1,2 | 3 |
| COMM 310 | Communication Research Methods 1,2 | 3 |
| COMM 410 | Communication Law 1,2 | 3 |
| COMM 497 | Senior Capstone Seminar 1 | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Journalism Requirements | ||
| COMM 205 | Audio Production 1 | 3 |
| or COMM 352 | Digital Radio Production | |
| COMM 235 | Introduction to Digital Design 1 | 3 |
| or COMM 248 | Interactive Multimedia 1 | |
| COMM 247 | Photojournalism 1 | 3 |
| COMM 347 | New-Media Journalism 1 | 3 |
| COMM 354 | Multi-Camera Studio Production 1 | 3 |
| COMM 355 | Video Field Production 1 | 3 |
| COMM 448 | Advanced Media Writing and Reporting 1 | 3 |
| COMM 450 | Internship 1 | 3-12 |
| Subtotal | 24-33 | |
| Journalism Electives | ||
| Select 5 courses (at least one must be at the 400 level). | 15 | |
| Audio Production 1 | ||
| Introduction to Digital Design 1 | ||
| Interactive Multimedia 1 1 | ||
| Video Production 1 | ||
| Mass Media and Society 1 | ||
| Communication and Media Ethics 1 | ||
| Social Media 1 | ||
| Publication Production 1 | ||
| Sports Journalism 1 | ||
| Digital Radio Production 1 | ||
| Sports and Esports Production 1 | ||
| Global Media 1 | ||
| History of Journalism 1 | ||
| Issues in Journalism 1 | ||
| Live Broadcast Production 1 | ||
| History of Broadcasting 1 | ||
| Media Criticism 1 | ||
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 54-63 | |
- 1
Course counts for 50% of Major and Major GPA
- 2
A grade of 'C' or higher must be earned in these courses
- *
Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.
Important Curriculum Guide Notes
This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.
PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION & MEDIA- BS (2119)
Concentration in Multimedia Journalism (MUJO)
This program is effective as of Summer 2024
Revised: 05.16.2024
UCC: 04.16.2024
RECOMMENDED FOUR-YEAR PLAN
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| COMM 110 | Communication Concepts | 3 |
| COMM 263 | Mass Media and Society | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Critical Writing | 3 |
| ESAP 101 | FYRST Seminar * | 1 |
| SUBJ 139 | Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 | 3 |
| Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice | ||
| Ethics and Civil Discourse | ||
| Civil Discourse and Democracy | ||
| ENGL 104 | Critical Reading | 3 |
| COMM 235 or COMM 248 |
Introduction to Digital Design or Interactive Multimedia 1 |
3 |
| MATH 117 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Humanities Inquiry | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COMM 242 | Media Writing | 3 |
| SCI 101 | Science of Life | 3 |
| Social Science Inquiry | 3 | |
| Elective | 6 | |
| Declare a Thematic Thread 2 | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| COMM 247 | Photojournalism (S) | 3 |
| SCI 102 | Understanding the Physical World | 3 |
| Journalism Elective | 3 | |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COMM 310 | Communication Research Methods | 3 |
| COMM 347 | New-Media Journalism | 3 |
| Journalism Elective | 3 | |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| COMM 205 | Audio Production | 3 |
| COMM 355 | Video Field Production | 3 |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Journalism Elective | 3 | |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COMM 410 | Communication Law | 3 |
| COMM 354 | Multi-Camera Studio Production | 3 |
| Journalism Elective | 3 | |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 6 | |
| Elective | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| COMM 448 | Advanced Media Writing and Reporting | 3 |
| COMM 497 | Senior Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| COMM 450 | Internship | 3 |
| Journalism Elective | 3 | |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours** | 121 | |
- 1
Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.
- 2
Work with your Academic Adviser to declare a Thematic Thread by the end of your fall semester in your second year.
- *
Students are encouraged to take ESAP 101 as a Free Elective.
** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses. However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year.
Major Code: 2119
Concentration Code: MUJO
Revised: 07.10.2023