Visual Journalism - B.S. Download to print

The Bachelor of Science in Visual Journalism comprises two concentrations: Information Design and Photojournalism.

Information design majors study the visual presentation of news. Students also may work on visual presentation of news for The Daily Kent Stater, The Burr and Kentwired.com. Graduates can find employment as page designers or copy editors at traditional newspapers and magazines or at online publications.

Photojournalism majors study the visual reporting of news. This major is for students who have good visual perception and want to demonstrate this skill through photography. A dynamic portfolio is needed to break into this career, and the courses are geared toward producing one. Graduates find employment at newspapers, magazines or other print publications as well as online publications where visual presentation of news is required.

More than half of photographers are self-employed, a much higher proportion than for most occupations. Some self-employed photographers have contracts with advertising agencies, magazine publishers, or other businesses to do individual projects for a set fee, while others operate portrait studios or provide photographs to stock-photo agencies.

Most salaried photographers work in portrait or commercial photography studios; most of the others work for newspapers, magazines, and advertising agencies. Photographers work in all areas of the country, but most are employed in metropolitan areas.

(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Students first entering the university, whether from high school or transferring from another institution, are admitted directly into one of the ten JMC majors/concentrations. A Kent State GPA of 2.750 must be maintained to continue taking JMC courses.

Current Kent State students wishing to pursue a major in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication must have a GPA of 2.750 or higher to be admitted directly into one of the ten majors/concentrations.

Current Kent State students with a GPA lower than 2.750 (but 2.000 or higher) may be admitted as journalism and mass communication per-majors.

Minimum 124 credit hours and minimum 2.750 GPA cumulative and in major. Minimum 80 credit hours taken outside the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Only general elective courses may be taken as pass/fail, of which maximum 12 credit hours may be taken as pass/fail. Students must meet the requirements stated in this catalog to declare a journalism and mass communication major.
A 2.750 overall GPA is also required to enroll in JMC courses.

Students who fall below a 2.750 overall will be allowed to remain in JMC courses for which they are already registered for one more semester. They will be given one semester to bring their overall GPA up to the school minimum. Failure to do so will result in not being permitted to enroll in JMC courses until their overall GPA reaches the school minimum. In addition, no grade lower than a C- (1.700) in a JMC course will be counted toward graduation or as a prerequisite for a subsequent class.

Students must pass the school’s grammar usage and punctuation test before enrolling in any of the following JMC courses: 26001 Newswriting, 30004 Writing for Electronic Media, 30034 Programming for Electronic Media, 31002 Advertising Copywriting, 31003 Advertising Media Planning, 32001 Photojournalism I, 40006 Law of Mass Communication, 40010 Ethics and Issues in Mass Communication, 44040 Concept Psychographics and 46001 Information Graphics.

The Liberal Studies Requirement (LSR) is mandated by the ACEJMC  to make sure JMC degrees are well-rounded degrees with a strong grounding in the humanities, arts and sciences. Sixty-five credit hours (out of the total of 124 for the degree) must be taken in the humanities, arts and sciences. All Kent Core courses, except JMC 20001, count toward the LSR, so that covers 37 of the 65 hours. The remaining 28 hours of LSRs are covered in Additional Degree Requirements and electives. There are specific course designations and some specific courses that count toward the 65-hour Liberal Studies Requirement. See your advisor for details. Students electing minors that are not liberal studies in nature may need to complete more than 124 hours.

Journalism and mass communication majors supplement their coursework with an internship in their field of specialization. Other opportunities for practical experience include news, production, management, sales, performance and advertising positions on the campus newspaper, the Daily Kent Stater, and its online edition; the campus television station, TV-2; the campus radio station, Black Squirrel Radio; and the campus magazine, the Burr, and its online edition.

There are many study abroad/away opportunities. For more information contact the Office of Global Education or CCI's Coordinator of International Study Programs.

$60/semester

Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication

National Association of Black Journalists, Public Relations Student Society of America, National Press Photographers Association, American Advertising Federation Student Chapter, Kappa Tau Alpha. Student Media: Artemis, The Daily Kent Stater, The Burr and Cyburr, UHURU, Luna Negra, Fusion, TV2, Black Squirrel Radio, Kentwired.com

Journalism and Mass Communication (M.A.)