Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Slippery Rock University

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

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

CURRICULUM GUIDE

GPA REQUIREMENT

Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher

SUMMARY*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements42
Other Basic Requirements0-3
Major/Concentration Requirements54-63
Electives24

* 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

The Rock
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 13
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
MATH 117Quantitative Reasoning3
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Subtotal15
Integrated Inquiry
Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Humanities Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Social Science Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Natural Sciences Inquiry
SCI 101Science of Life3
Physical Sciences Inquiry
SCI 102Understanding the Physical World3
Subtotal15
Thematic Thread
Select 12 Credits 212
Total Hours42
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.

Complete one of the following:0-3
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
Beginning Algebra
Total Hours0-3

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
Core Requirements
COMM 110Communication Concepts 1,23
COMM 242Media Writing 1,23
COMM 310Communication Research Methods 1,23
COMM 410Communication Law 1,23
COMM 497Senior Capstone Seminar 13
Subtotal15
Journalism Requirements
COMM 205Audio Production 13
or COMM 352 Digital Radio Production
COMM 235Introduction to Digital Design 13
or COMM 248 Interactive Multimedia 1
COMM 247Photojournalism 13
COMM 347New-Media Journalism 13
COMM 354Multi-Camera Studio Production 13
COMM 355Video Field Production 13
COMM 448Advanced Media Writing and Reporting 13
COMM 450Internship 13-12
Subtotal24-33
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
Subtotal15
Total Hours54-63
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

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
COMM 110 Communication Concepts 3
COMM 263 Mass Media and Society 3
ENGL 102 Critical Writing 3
ESAP 101 FYRST Seminar * 1
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 3
Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry 3
 Hours16
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
Introduction to Digital Design
or Interactive Multimedia 1
3
MATH 117 Quantitative Reasoning 3
Humanities Inquiry 3
 Hours15
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
 Hours15
Spring
COMM 247 Photojournalism (S) 3
SCI 102 Understanding the Physical World 3
Journalism Elective 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Electives 3
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall
COMM 310 Communication Research Methods 3
COMM 347 New-Media Journalism 3
Journalism Elective 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Elective 3
 Hours15
Spring
COMM 205 Audio Production 3
COMM 355 Video Field Production 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Journalism Elective 3
Electives 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall
COMM 410 Communication Law 3
COMM 354 Multi-Camera Studio Production 3
Journalism Elective 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 6
Elective
 Hours15
Spring
COMM 448 Advanced Media Writing and Reporting 3
COMM 497 Senior Capstone Seminar 3
COMM 450 Internship 3
Journalism Elective 3
Electives 3
 Hours15
 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