Journalism, Major

 Journalism, Major, B.A. 

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the current catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample degree plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your own degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your own degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year.

To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Liberal Education (LE) Core.  LE Core course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as LE-K1, LE-S2, LE-R3, and LE-I1 to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of their liberal education course work.  Please click here for a description of the Liberal Education Core outcomes and requirements. Note that the LE Core may be completed through both course and non-course experiences.

Students in this major have the option to pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.  The degrees are distinguished by foreign language competency for the B.A. and a higher level of mathematics competency for the B.S.

FIRST YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
WRIT 114Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1)5
OR
Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1)
CJ 184Multimedia Communication (LE-S3)3
SECOND SEMESTER
CJ 222Beginning Journalism3
SOME TIME IN THE FIRST YEAR
CJ 202Fundamentals of Speech (LE-S1)3
OR
Fundamentals of Human Communication (LE-S1)
LE Option: Responsibility 1 (LE-R1) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity3
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (LE-K3) Humanities3
LE Option: Integration (LE-I1)3
LE Option: Knowledge 1 (LE-K1) Natural Sciences3
LE Option: Skills 2 (LE-S2) Mathematics - Choose MATH 104, 106 or 1084
TOTAL FIRST YEAR30
SECOND YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
101-level language - BA Requirement, LE-S14
SECOND SEMESTER
102-level language - BA Requirement4
CJ 300Research Methods3
SOME TIME IN THE SECOND YEAR
CJ 241Audio and Video Production Process3
OR
Introduction to Photography
OR
Visual Communication Design (Spring Only)
Course in second program/minor3
LE Option: Knowledge 2 (LE-K2) Social Sciences3
LE Option: Responsibility 2 (LE-R2) Global Perspectives3
LE Option: Knowledge 2 (LE-K2) Social Sciences3
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (LE-K3) Humanities3
TOTAL SECOND YEAR29
THIRD YEAR
SECOND SEMESTER
CJ 321Intermediate Journalism3
SOME TIME IN THE THIRD YEAR
CJ 301Intercultural Communication3
OR
Diversity & Communication: Organizational & Media Contexts (WGSS 317; Fall Only)
OR
Advertising in Contemporary Society (Spring Only)
LE Option: Knowledge 1 (LE-K1L) Natural Sciences with Lab4
Course in second program/minor3
LE Option: Knowledge 4 (LE-K4) Fine Arts3
CJ 413Media Law and Ethics (LE-R3)3
CJ Elective - choice of any course with CJ prefix not already included in major program.3
LE Option: Responsibility 1 (LE-R1, DDIV) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity with Design for Diversity3
Course in second program/minor3
Course in second program/minor3
TOTAL THIRD YEAR31
FOURTH YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
CJ 427Advanced Reporting and Editing3
SECOND SEMESTER
CJ 429Digital Newsroom (LE-I1)3
SOME TIME IN THE FOURTH YEAR
CJ Elective - choice of any course with CJ prefix not already included in major program3
Course in second program/minor3
Course in second program/minor3
Elective - Any 3-credit course3
Course in second program/minor3
Course in second program/minor3
Elective - Any 3-credit course3
Elective - Any 3-credit course3
TOTAL FOURTH YEAR30

Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits

Notes

  • Students must complete 39 credits in courses above the 300 level in order to complete their degree. Those credits may be accumulated in major courses, minor courses, liberal education electives or general elective credits. Levels of major elective, minor elective, liberal education and general elective credits are not indicated on this guide. The student and advisor will monitor progress toward that requirement.
  • If a student selects a certificate rather than a minor, there will be fewer required credits in the second program than are reflected on this guide.
  • Depending on selection of electives and second program courses, some liberal education requirements may be satisfied by a major or second program course. The student and advisor will monitor those opportunities.
  • Students interested in pursuing study abroad opportunities during the regular semester should plan carefully with their advisor. Some courses are not offered every semester and graduation could be delayed if you do not plan accordingly.
  • Some suggested electives related to journalism include CJ 311 Mass Media History and CJ 322 Immersion Reporting. Note, Immersion Reporting currently is offered every other year.
  • Students must complete 120 credits in order to complete their degree. The low range of credits on this guide does not total 120.
  • All students must complete the 30-hour Service-Learning Requirement via a non-credit or credit option (see University Graduation Requirements).

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs)
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire encourages all students to participate in High Impact Practices.  The following information identifies any specific recommendations that faculty in this major have concerning which HIPs might be most beneficial to students, and any recommendations about when those HIPs best fit into the degree plan. Students should also consult their faculty advisor for information on HIPs. There are many additional high impact opportunities available. Talk to your academic advisor for more information about incorporating HIPs like Study AbroadIntercultural ImmersionInternship, and/or Student/Faculty Collaborative Research into your time at UW-Eau Claire. 

Liberal Education (LE) Core Guidance

Liberal Education Core (LE Core) 

The LE Core comprises 17 learning experiences across 11 learning outcomes. Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits in courses approved for the LE Core. 

  • K1 – Natural Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2). 

  • K2 – Social Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2). 

  • K3 – Humanities; two experiences. 

  • K4 – Fine Arts; one experience. 

  • S1 – Written and Oral Communication; two experiences (one experience must satisfy the University writing requirement). 

  • S2 – Mathematics; one experience (must satisfy the University math competency requirement). 

  • S3 – Creativity; one experience (can be fulfilled in a student’s major). 

  • R1 – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity; two experiences (one experience must meet the UW System Design for Diversity (DD) requirement). 

  • R2 – Global Perspectives; one experience. 

  • R3 – Civic and Environmental Issues; one experience. 

  • I1 – Integration; two experiences (one experience can be fulfilled in a student’s major). 

  • SL—Service Learning; 30 hours 

Additional LE Core Information 

  • Most LE Core learning experiences are course based, and many courses meet more than one learning outcome (e.g., K3 and R2 or K1 and R3). 

  • Some learning experiences can also be met outside of a traditional course (e.g., undergraduate research (S3), study abroad (I1)). 

  • S1 – An English placement score that fulfills the University writing requirement fulfills one S1 experience. 

  • S1 – A foreign Language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 102 level satisfies one S1 experience. 

  • S1, R2 – A foreign language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 202 level satisfies one experience in S1 and the R2 experience. 

  • S2 – A math placement score that qualifies the student to enter Math 111, 112, 113 or 114 fulfills the S2 experience. 

  • S3 – Completion of two credits from any approved music ensemble fulfills the S3 experience. 

  • I1 – Any semester long study abroad program can fulfill one I1 experience.