Flat Screen Monitor Showing Color Bars

Journalism Track

With Journalism, students learn to exercise news judgment, honor the tenets of journalism, and create news for and with audiences across traditional and emerging digital media platforms. Students gain hands-on experience early on and throughout their tenure with WUTV, The West Georgian and WOLF Radio.

Visit Website PDF Map

Stats

Plan Your Degree

Disclaimer: This program map is intended ONLY as a guide for students to plan their course of study. It does NOT replace any information in the Undergraduate Catalog, which is the official guide for completing degree requirements.

Term 1: Fall

Course Name Credit Hours
C1: ENGL 1101

English Composition I

3
I2: XIDS 2002

(Recommended) First-Year Seminar

2
S1: HIST 1111 OR 1112

US History

3
A1: Humanities 3
T1: Science + Lab 4

Milestone:

  • Complete ENGL 1101; required to earn a C or higher.

Term 2: Spring

Course Name Credit Hours
C2: ENGL 1102

English Composition II

3
M: MATH 1401, 1001, OR 1111

Elementary Statistics, , Quantitative Skills & Reasoning, or College Algebra

3
F: COMM 1110

Public Speaking

3
P1: HIST 2111 OR 2112

US History

3
T2: Non-Lab Science 3

Milestones:

  • Complete ENGL 1102; Required to earn C or higher.
  • Complete COMM 1110; Required to earn C or higher.
  • Complete 30 credit hours by end of term, including credit hours earned previous terms.

 

15 Fall Credit Hours + 15 Spring Credit Hours = 30 Credit Hours

Term 1: Fall

Course Name Credit Hours
F: COMM 1154

Introduction to Mass Communications

3
F: Foreign Language

Foreign Language 1000-to-2000 level

3
A2: Humanities

Any Option EXCEPT COMM 1154

3
I1: Oral Communication

Any Option EXCEPT COMM 1110

3
T3: STEM Course 3

Milestones:

  • Complete first foreign language requirement.
  • Complete COMM 1154; Required to earn C or higher.

Term 2: Spring

Course Name Credit Hours
P2: POLS 1101

American Government

3
F: Foreign Language
Foreign Language 1000-to-2000 level
3
F: COMM 2254

Media Ethics

3
S2: Social Science 3
F: Humanities or Social Science 3

Milestones:

  • Complete second foreign language requirement. 
  • Complete COMM 2254; Required to earn C or higher. 
  • Complete 60 credit hours by end of term, including credit hours earned previous terms.

 

15 Fall Credit Hours + 15 Spring Credit Hours = 30 Credit Hours

Term 1: Fall

Course Name Credit Hours
COMM 3301

Fundamentals of Newswriting

3
COMM 3303 OR 4403

Layout & Design or Photojournalism

3
Electives

Must select COMM 3000-4000 level courses or courses from approved list

6
Minor 3

Milestone:

  • Complete COMM 3301.

Term 2: Spring

Course Name Credit Hours
COMM 3352

Fundamentals of TV Production

3
COMM  4402

Feature Writing

3
Elective

Must select COMM 3000-to-4000 level course or course from approved list

3/6
Minor 3/6

Milestones:

  • Complete COMM 3352.
  • Complete 90 credit hours by end of term, including credit hours earned previous terms.

 

15 Fall Credit Hours + 15 Spring Credit Hours = 30 Credit Hours

Term 1: Fall

Course Name Credit Hours
COMM 4450

Broadcast News Writing & Reporting

3
COMM 4454

Media Law

3
Electives

Must select COMM 3000-4000 level courses or courses from approved list

6
Minor 3

Milestone:

  • Complete COMM 4450.

Term 2: Spring

Course Name Credit Hours
COMM 4421N OR 4421T
Practicum: The West Georgian or WUTV
3
COMM 4484 

Mass Comm Research Methods 

3
Elective(s)

Must select COMM 3000-4000 level course(s) OR course(s) from approved list; Complete 6 credit hours if minor requires 15 credit hours; complete 3 credit hours if minor requires 18 credit hours.

3/6
Minor

Complete 6 credit hours if minor requires 15 credit hours, complete 9 credit hours if minor requires 18 credit hours.

3/6

Milestones:

  • Complete COMM 4421N – Practicum: The West Georgian OR COMM 4421T – Practicum: WUTV.
  • Complete a maximum of 12 credit hours of COMM 3000-4000 level courses to apply toward 18-21 credit hours of major electives. 
  • Complete 120 credit hours by end of term, including credit hours earned previous terms. 

 

15 Fall Credit Hours + 15 Spring Credit Hours = 30 Credit Hours

Additional Information:

  • For Mass Communications majors, 18-21 credit hours of COMM 3000-4000 level courses are required to apply toward major electives. Up to 6 credit hours of the 18-21 hours may be selected from the  Approved Electives list, but this is not required. Majors may petition to apply alternative courses, including 1000-2000 level courses, as major electives that are relevant to their career aspirations by submitting requests and rationales to advisors. The Dean or Designee must approve all alternative courses.
  • Additionally, students may take up to 6 hours of internship (COMM 4486) for credit in their degree program, and students may take up to 6 credit hours of 3000-4000 level practica courses in their degree program. However, students may not exceed a total of 9 credit hours of internship and practica combined. 

Crush Your Course

First Year:

  • Talk with your professors and advisors about your education and career goals.

Middle Years:

  • Complete core classes. 
  • Meet with your faculty mentor at least once per semester.
  • Join and participate in the Society for Professional Journalists (SPJ) and Georgia College Press Association (GCPA).

Last Year:

  • Complete an internship
  • Submit your coursework for internal Excellence Awards. 
  • Submit your work for national awards.

Find Your Place

First Year:

  • Complete WIT and/or UTIP Training program.
  • Become a mentee in the Alumni Mentor Programs.
  • Attend SCFM networking functions and alumni networking events.
  • Connect with on-campus media and/or student media organization.

Middle Years:

  • Volunteer for The West Georgian and/or WUTV.
  • Attend (or volunteer at) Media Day.
  • Engage with the Georgia College Press Association.

Last Year:

Broaden Your Perspectives

First Year:

Middle Years:

Last Year:

Connect Off-Campus

First Year:

  • Visit Wolves Vote to learn about the voting process and registration.
  • Consider volunteering for a campaign or organization in your community.

Middle Years:

  • Complete an internship in your field.
  • Consider a summer or part-time job.
  • Ask your department about networking opportunities with alumni.

Last Year:

  • Ask for advice from professionals in your field of interest.
  • Explore career shadowing opportunities.

Take Care of Yourself

First Year:

Middle Years:

Last Year:

Pave Your Path

First Year:

Middle Years:

  • Draft your resume and attend a resume blitz.
  • Learn about how to network on social media and update your Handshake profile.
  • Draft your personal statement.
  • Visit the graduate school to find out about graduate programs and admission requirements.

Last Year:

  • Request references from professors and supervisors.
  • Draft your resume cover letter and personal statement and revise it with career services.
  • Attend business fairs and career fairs at UWG and across the state.
  • Attend an interview workshop.
  • Apply for graduate programs.

HeadingSub-Heading

Have any questions about your major?

Book an Advising Appointment

Don't forget to check out Wolf Watch to explore degree requirements!