Broadcast Journalism

Major in Journalism Broadcast News Concentration

Requirements: Students majoring in Broadcast Journalism must complete 46 credit hours, distributed as follows:

Core Courses (27 credits):

COM 1500 Survey of Mass Communication (3 credits)
COM 2030 Journalistic Grammar and Style (3 credits)
COM 2100 News Reporting (3 credits)
COM 4250 Reporting Race, Gender, and Culture (3 credits)
COM 5080 History of American Journalism (3 credits)
COM 5250* Professional Issues in Journalism and Mass Media (3 credits)
COM 5500 Journalism and New Media (3 credits)
COM 5710 Law and Ethics of Journalism (3 credits)
COM 6190 Internship (3 credits to fulfill major requirement)

*Senior capstone to be taken in last year of study

Broadcast Concentration Requirements (13 credits):

COM 1600 Intro to Audio/TV/Film Production (3 credits)
COM 2230 Broadcast News Writing and Digital Editing (3 credits)
COM 4410 Television Production (4 credits)
OR COM 5610 Adv. Television Production (requires instructor permission, 3 credits)
COM 5381 TV News Reporting and Digital Editing (3 credits)


Elective Courses (6 credits):

COM 2250 South End Workshop (3 credits)
COM 2280 Digital Photojournalism (3 credits)
COM 3010 Media Analysis and Criticism (3 credits)
COM 3100 Public Affairs Reporting (3 credits)
COM 3170 Fundamentals of Public Relations (3 credits)
COM 3380 Editing and Field Production (3 credits)
COM 4010 Special Topics in Journalism (3 credits, max 9)
COM 4100 Feature Writing (3 credits)
COM 4130 Communication Ethics (3 credits)
COM 4210 Research Methods in Communication (3 credits)
COM 4240 African Americans in Television (4 credits)
COM 4310 Audio Production (3 credits)
COM 4990 Directed Study (1- 3 credits, max 4)
COM 5060 Documentary and Non-Fic Film & TV (4 credits)
COM 5200 Special Topics in Advanced Reporting (3 credits)
COM 5300 Layout and Design (3 credits)
COM 5310 Investigative Reporting (3 credits)
COM 5384 Topics in Production Design and Theory (3 credits, max 6)
COM 5480 Special topics in Media Studies (3 credits, max 6)
COM 5510 Societal Effects of New Technologies (3 credits)
COM 5610 Advanced TV Production (3 credits, max 6)
COM 6190 Internship (1 3 credits, max 6)

Important Reminders: Every course required to complete an undergraduate major in the Department of Communication must be completed with a grade of "C" (2.0) or better. This includes all transfer credit that may be applicable to the major programs. All students pursuing this major must complete the university's general education requirements as well as the Department of Communication foreign language requirement, which includes completion of a foreign language through the second semester. A minimum of 120 total credit hours is required to earn a Bachelor's Degree.

Advising: Careful planning is required to assure timely completion of the program. An advisor should be consulted as soon as you decide to enroll in the Journalism program. All students are expected to follow the published curriculum for their major and to consult regularly with their advisor. Advising appointments can be booked online here.

Special Activities: Course work is only one part of your undergraduate education. Employers pay close attention to the types of activities applicants participated in as students. There are many valuable campus activities to choose from. You are encouraged to participate in such activities as student government, the student newspaper (South End) and the student radio station (WAYN). In addition, the Department of Communication sponsors the Wayne State University chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), The Film and Media Group, as well as the nationally acclaimed forensics and debate teams.