Journalism - B.S. Download to print

The Bachelor of Science in Journalism is a broad and flexible degree program that offers specialty areas in broadcast news, magazine media, multimedia news and photojournalism, as well as the opportunity to combine elements of each specialty. Students learn to report, write and produce news and information in radio, magazines, newspapers, and online/web media. Students also learn the skills necessary for visual reporting of news. Students must complete an internship in their field of specialization. Multiple internships are permitted.

Students are encouraged to participate in various student media including the campus radio and television stations, the campus newspaper (print and online operations), and the multiple independent student magazines (print and online operations). Students are also encouraged to explore study abroad experiences. There are many study abroad/away opportunities. For more information contact the Office of Global Education or CCI's Coordinator of International Programs.

As technological innovation changes how news is delivered, journalists increasingly will be working for online or mobile outlets. Students learn all facets of multimedia. As the ownership of media shifts, students also are encouraged to seek out opportunities to learn about entrepreneurship in courses and projects.

General Admissions for Freshman Students: 
Admission Requirements at the Kent Campus: The freshman admission policy at the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon the following: cumulative grade point average, ACT and/or SAT scores, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends.

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago. For more information on admissions, visit the admissions website for new freshmen.

Current Kent State students must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.000 to be admitted directly into any major within the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. 

For more information about admission criteria for transfer, transitioning and former students, please visit the admissions website.

Students must maintain a 2.700 major GPA and a 2.000 overall GPA in order to continue taking JMC courses. Failure to do so will result in not being permitted to enroll in JMC courses. 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.

Minimum 124 credit hours and a minimum 2.700 major GPA and 2.000 overall GPA are required for graduation. Minimum 72 credit hours taken outside the discipline, see requirements for acceptable courses. Only general elective courses may be taken as pass/fail, of which maximum 12 credit hours may be taken as pass/fail. 

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate critical thinking, grounded in a legal and ethical framework. 
2. Gather information, analyze it, and make informed judgments using methods and tools appropriate to their professions. 
3. Demonstrate the ability to apply theory and research appropriate to their professions, including quantitative and qualitative methods. 
4. Demonstrate the ability to apply basic ethical principles to their professional work. 
5. Demonstrate the ability to apply laws and regulations applicable to their professional work. 
6. Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve. 
7. Demonstrate understanding of how media and their professions evolved historically, their role in societal development and their global interaction today with institutions and individuals. 
8. Demonstrate appreciation for diverse cultures and individual differences, and reflect that appreciation in their work. 

Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC)