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    Oct 04, 2024  
2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Journalism


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OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 120

Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0.

Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: A grade of C- or better is required for all other CMJ courses to fulfill a major requirement.

Other GPA requirements to graduate: None.

Contact Information: Paul Grosswiler, Chair, 443 Dunn Hall, 581-1287


The Department of Communication and Journalism offers three different B.A. degrees. These degrees are in: Communication, Journalism, and Mass Communication.

The B.A. in Journalism requires coursework that prepares students for leadership roles in journalism careers. The Journalism major offers students strong oral and written expression skills, a firm grasp of public affairs, and a broad foundation in the liberal arts. Full-time faculty members are established scholars who draw on extensive professional experience and ongoing contacts with journalism organizations. An active internship program encourages students to become acquainted with working in media organizations, and thus have demonstrable work experience, professional contacts and an understanding of the industry before they enter the job market.

Majors in Journalism must complete a minimum of thirty (30) credits of specific CMJ courses to fulfill the core course internship experience, capstone and professional course requirements.

Students must also fulfill the external course requirements.

The external coursework must include at least 9 credits in the areas of Writing and Language and at least 18 credits of coursework concentrated in an area outside of the CMJ Department.

The 9 credits of coursework in the areas of Writing and Language must include at least 3 credits in each of the two areas (6 credits from one area; 3 credits from the other).  The Writing area includes the following courses: ENG 205,  ENG 206, ENG 212, ENG 301, ENG 317, ENG 415, ENG 416, and ENG 418. CMJ 237 can also be used to meet part of this requirement when not used to meet a Journalism major requirement.  The Language area includes: French, German, Spanish, American Sign Language or other non-English languages.  

At least 18 credits of coursework concentrated in an area outside of the CMJ Department must be completed. This requirement can be fulfilled by completing: (a) a Minor in another department, (b) an Interdisciplinary Curricula, or (c) a concentration of 6 courses (18 credits) taken in another department, with at least 12 of the 18 credit hours taken in coursework above the 100 level.  No CMJ  or Honors courses can be used to meet any part of this requirement.

Requirements for Journalism Majors:


For students transferring equivalent courses from other colleges, a minimum of 24 credits of CMJ courses must be taken at the University of Maine for the degree, regardless of the number of equivalent courses accepted in transfer. The faculty will determine equivalency (if any) of transfer courses in the discipline. Some CMJ courses require the completion of one or more prerequisite courses.

Students must earn a grade of “B” or better in CMJ 236 and pass a writing exam in order to continue in the Journalism major and take courses in the professional course requirement list: CMJ 237, CMJ 332, CMJ 351, CMJ CMJ 481, CMJ 484 and CMJ 489, as well as CMJ 395.

A grade of “C-” or better is required in all CMJ courses submitted to satisfy departmental requirements for the major.

Honors students may count their Honors theses as their capstone experience instead of CMJ 481, 484 or 489, as long as the topic and the faculty advisor are within the major. Students who count their Honors theses are required to take one additional course (3 or 4 credits) other than CMJ 100 from the Journalism Professional Courses or Electives list below.

Core Course Requirements - 3 courses(9 credits)


Capstone Requirement: (select 1 course; 3 or 4 credits)


Internship Requirement: (3 credits)


Additional credits:


Students may also take additional credits in department courses beyond the 30 required for the major, but must take at least 72 credit hours outside of CMJ courses.

Suggested curriculum for the B.A. in Journalism (Broadcast Journalism Sequence)


First Year - First Semester


First Year - Second Semester


  • Credits: 3
  • General Education Science or Mathematics/Statistics Credits: 3
  • General Education Human Values/Social Context Credits: 6
  • **Electives Credits / Units: 3

Second Year - First Semester


Second Year - Second Semester


Third Year - First Semester


Third Year - Second Semester


Fourth Year - First Semester


Fourth Year - Second Semester


**Elective Credits


Elective Credits may be used to meet remaining General Education, college, B.A., or department requirements.

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