Media and Journalism Major, B.A.
The Hussman School of Journalism and Media prepares students for careers in journalism and media by offering an academic program that provides a basic liberal arts education, an understanding of the responsibilities of a free press and the role of free speech in a democratic society, and a fundamental knowledge of journalistic and media techniques and substance.
The philosophy that guides the school is that journalists and communicators must understand the political, social, economic, and cultural forces that operate within society. For this reason, students acquire a background in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences while preparing themselves for journalism and media careers.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the media and journalism program, students should be able to:
- Understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, as well as receive instruction in and understand the range of systems of freedom of expression around the world, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications.
- Demonstrate an understanding of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and as appropriate, other forms of diversity in domestic society in relation to journalism and media.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of peoples and cultures and of the significance and impact of communications in a global society.
- Understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information.
- Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness, and diversity.
- Think critically, creatively and independently.
- Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work.
- Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences, and purposes they serve.
- Critically evaluate their work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style, and grammatical correctness.
- Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts.
- Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.
Requirements
In addition to the program requirements, students must
- earn a minimum final cumulative GPA of 2.000
- complete a minimum of 45 academic credit hours earned from UNC–Chapel Hill courses
- take at least half of their major core requirements (courses and credit hours) at UNC–Chapel Hill
- earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 in the major core requirements. Some programs may require higher standards for major or specific courses.
For more information, please consult the degree requirements section of the catalog.
Requirements Outside the School
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Government/Politics | ||
| Select one from the following list: | 3 | |
 American Democracy in Changing Times H, F | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Politics H, F | ||
| International Relations and Global Politics H, F | ||
| The United States Supreme Court | ||
| Race, Innocence, and the Decline of the Death Penalty | ||
| Politics in the U.S. States H | ||
| Ethical and Civic Values | ||
| Select one from the following list: | 3 | |
| Media Ethics | ||
| Virtue, Value, and Happiness: An Introduction to Moral Theory 2, H | ||
| Practical Ethics: Moral Reasoning and How We Live 2, H | ||
| Liberty, Rights, and Responsibilities: Introduction to Social Ethics and Political Thought 2, H | ||
| The Ethics of Peace, War, and Defense 3 | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
Students are expected to gain a depth of knowledge of a topic outside the school. Our students typically take 72 - 81 hours outside of media and journalism. Completing another major or minor is encouraged but not required.
Students who wish to complete a second major outside the school and who did not declare the second major before being admitted to the school must download a second-major declaration form from the school’s website and email it to UNC Hussman Academic Advising. They must then meet with an academic adviser in the College of Arts and Sciences to ensure that they can meet all requirements for the second major.
Requirements in Both Study Areas
The degree earned is a bachelor of arts in media and journalism. Two areas of study are offered: a concentration in advertising/public relations and a concentration in journalism. Areas of study are not noted on the diploma. Some courses are required for all majors in the school, and each area of study has specific course requirements.
Students must complete a minimum of 39 credits in media and journalism with a grade point average of 2.0 or better. A grade of C- or less in a MEJO course will not be counted in the minimum number of media and journalism credits required for graduation; the course must be retaken if it is required for the major. If the course is not specifically required, then another course that meets the requirement the first course was meeting may be taken in its stead. During a student's senior year, they must complete a capstone course specific to their area of study. MEJO 393 cannot be counted in the minimum of 39 credit hours required but will count in the total 120-credit hours required by the University. Additionally, students must complete a minimum of six credits to satisfy the school's government/politics as well as ethical and civic values requirements. The school will normally accept only six credit hours of media and journalism courses taken at other institutions. The school typically does not accept transfer credit for MEJO 153.
More than perhaps any other field, media and journalism requires a strong foundation in word usage, grammar, punctuation, and other writing skills. Students must score at least 70 percent on the school’s usage and grammar examination as a condition for graduation. The examination is administered several times throughout the academic year as well as during the summer.
Students are responsible for monitoring their Tar Heel Tracker and are encouraged to consult with an adviser in the school at least once a semester to ensure that they are on track to fulfill all graduation requirements. Specific information about graduation requirements, advising, registration, and other procedures is also available on the school’s website.
The school cannot guarantee that courses needed to satisfy a student’s degree requirements will be offered during summer school. Students who plan to complete degree requirements in summer school should be aware that low enrollments sometimes force the school to cancel certain courses or sections during either or both summer sessions.
Please check the course list below or ConnectCarolina for prerequisite information for MEJO courses.
Media and Journalism Major, B.A.–Journalism
The journalism curriculum is for students who seek to collect, prepare, and distribute news aimed at informing the public and promoting transparency and accountability in government and society. Students study and can specialize in various content channels including print, broadcast, digital and interactive. Students create work that adheres to ethical principles of accuracy, fairness and responsibility.
Journalism students should take MEJO 121 and MEJO 153 before enrolling in a Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 course.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| School Core | ||
| MEJO 121 | Introduction to Digital Storytelling 1 | 3 |
| MEJO 153 | Writing and Reporting 1 | 3 |
| MEJO 340 | Introduction to Media Law: Journalism Focus (MEJO 153 is a prerequisite) | 3 |
| Concentration | ||
| At least two courses from Level 1 2 | 6 | |
| Sports Xtra | ||
| Foundations of Photojournalism | ||
| Foundations of Graphic Design | ||
| Foundations of Interactive Media | ||
| Audio Journalism | ||
| Introduction to Public Affairs Reporting | ||
| At least two courses from Level 2 2 | 6 | |
| Sports Production and Broadcasting | ||
| Sports Production and Broadcasting Practicum 5 | ||
| Feature Writing | ||
| Opinion Writing | ||
| Special Skills in Mass Communication (when JRN topic) 6 | ||
| Television News Reporting and Producing | ||
| Audio Journalism for Radio and Podcasts | ||
| Creative Sportswriting | ||
| Community Journalism | ||
| News Lab: Creating Tomorrow's News Products | ||
| Media Design | ||
| Information Graphics | ||
| Intermediate Interactive Media | ||
| Multimedia Storytelling: Carolina Photojournalism Workshop | ||
| Photojournalism, Lighting, and Business Techniques | ||
| Special Topics in Mass Communication (when JRN topic) 4, 7, H | ||
| At least two courses from Level 3 3 | 6 | |
| Producing Television News | ||
| Broadcast News and Production Management H | ||
| Economics Reporting | ||
| Business Reporting | ||
| Business and the Media 4 | ||
| Advanced Reporting | ||
| News Editing 3 | ||
| Environmental and Science Journalism H | ||
| Environmental Storytelling | ||
| Data Driven Journalism | ||
| Photo Stories | ||
| User Experience Design and Usability 4 | ||
| Advanced Documentary Video Storytelling | ||
| Advanced Interactive Media | ||
| International Projects H | ||
| 3D Design Studio | ||
| Emerging Technologies 4 | ||
| Motion Graphics | ||
| Conceptual Courses 2 | ||
| Students must also complete two courses (6 hours) from the following list: | 6 | |
| Principles of Advertising and Public Relations | ||
| Media Ethics | ||
| From Gutenberg to Google: A History of Media | ||
| Talk Politics: An Introduction to Political Communication | ||
| Sports and the Media (1 credit course) | ||
| The Black Press and United States History | ||
| Advertising Media | ||
| Account Planning | ||
| Communications Consulting | ||
| Sports Marketing and Advertising | ||
| Sports Communication | ||
| Advertising and Public Relations Research | ||
| Media Management and Policy | ||
| Voice and Diction | ||
| Cause Communications | ||
| Media in Asia H | ||
| Advertising in the Age of Alexa | ||
| Producing for Advertising | ||
| Diversity and Communication | ||
| Gender, Class, Race, and Mass Media | ||
| Media Effects on Audiences | ||
| Media in the United Kingdom H | ||
| Freedom of Expression in the United States | ||
| Concepts of Marketing | ||
| Ethical Issues and Sports Communication | ||
| New Media Technologies: Their Impact on the Future of Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations | ||
| Market Intelligence H | ||
| Special Topics in Mass Communication 4, H | ||
| International Public Relations | ||
| Crisis Communication | ||
| Washington Experience | ||
| Career Exploration and Preparation | ||
| Business and the Media 4 | ||
| Social Media Analytics | ||
| Art Direction in Advertising | ||
| The Branding of Me | ||
| User Experience Design and Usability 4 | ||
| Emerging Technologies 4 | ||
| Workroom FashionMash Experiential Design | ||
| Workroom FashionMash Product Design | ||
| Individual Study 8 | ||
| Digital Media Economics and Behavior 4, H | ||
| Leadership in a Time of Change 4, H | ||
| Digital Advertising and Marketing H | ||
| Social Marketing Campaigns H | ||
| Advertising Campaigns H | ||
| Introductory Honors Course 4 | ||
| Honors Essay 4 | ||
| Capstone 2 | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Media Hub H | ||
| Business News Wire H | ||
| Business Journalism Management H | ||
| Digital Media Economics and Behavior 4, H | ||
| Leadership in a Time of Change 4, H | ||
| Magazine Writing and Editing | ||
| Documentary Projects H | ||
| Magazine Design | ||
| Introductory Honors Course 4 | ||
| Honors Essay 4 | ||
| Choice | ||
| Students must take one course of their choosing to satisfy the 39-hour MEJO minimum. This can be any course offered in the school (including conceptual), regardless of level or specific area of study (except MEJO 393). Students are allowed to take several additional courses in the choice category. Doing so will push them past the 39-hour minimum. | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 39 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
- 1
It is recommended that students take MEJO 153 and MEJO 121 together.
- 2
Not all of the courses may be offered every semester.
- 3
If you have taken MEJO 157, you can't receive credit for this course.
- 4
Courses listed in more than one area may satisfy only one requirement.
- 5
MEJO 353 is offered at 1 credit hour. To meet the minimum of 6 hours for Level 2, students must choose an additional Level 2 course.
- 6
Satisfies JRN-Level 2, when approved by the senior associate dean for undergraduate studies.
- 7
Satisfies JRN-Level 3, when approved by the senior associate dean for undergraduate studies.
- 8
Satisfies Conceptual, when approved by the senior associate director for undergraduate studies.
Media and Journalism Major, B.A.–Advertising/Public Relations Curriculum
The advertising/public relations curriculum is for students who wish to communicate on behalf of organizations, including corporations, government agencies, nonprofit and advocacy groups, and public relations and advertising agencies. Students learn to develop persuasive advertising messages or focus on strategic communication efforts for an organization. Both are pursued within an ethical framework of communication.
Advertising/Public Relations students should take MEJO 121, MEJO 137 and MEJO 153 before taking a Level 2 or Level 3 course.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| School Core | ||
| MEJO 121 | Introduction to Digital Storytelling 1 | 3 |
| MEJO 153 | Writing and Reporting 1 | 3 |
| MEJO 341 | Introduction to Media Law: Advertising, Public Relations, and Strategic Communication Focus (MEJO 153 is a prerequisite) | 3 |
| Concentration | ||
| One course from Level 1 | 3 | |
| Principles of Advertising and Public Relations | ||
| At least three courses from Level 2 | 9 | |
| Advertising and Public Relations Research | ||
Two additional courses from the following list: 2 | ||
| Public Relations Writing | ||
| Visual Design for Strategic Communication | ||
| Advertising Creative | ||
| Advertising Media 3 | ||
| Account Planning 3 | ||
| Communications Consulting 3 | ||
| Sports Marketing and Advertising 3 | ||
| Sports Communication 3 | ||
| Special Skills in Mass Communication (when AD/PR topic) 4 | ||
| At least two courses from Level 3 2 | 6 | |
| Cause Communications 3 | ||
| UX Strategy and Design | ||
| Media in Asia 3, H | ||
| Advertising in the Age of Alexa 3 | ||
| Producing for Advertising 3 | ||
| Media in the United Kingdom 3, H | ||
| Concepts of Marketing 3 | ||
| New Media Technologies: Their Impact on the Future of Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations 3 | ||
| Market Intelligence 3, H | ||
| Special Topics in Mass Communication (when AD/PR topic) 3, 5, H | ||
| Green Brand Lab | ||
| Case Studies in Public Relations 3 | ||
| International Public Relations | ||
| Crisis Communication 3 | ||
| Career Exploration and Preparation 3 | ||
| Business and the Media 3 | ||
| Advanced Reporting (with instructor's approval) | ||
| Art Direction in Advertising | ||
| The Branding of Me | ||
| Workroom FashionMash Experiential Design 3 | ||
| Workroom FashionMash Product Design 3 | ||
| Conceptual (at least two courses) 2 | 6 | |
| Media Ethics | ||
| From Gutenberg to Google: A History of Media | ||
| Talk Politics: An Introduction to Political Communication | ||
| Sports and the Media (1 credit course) | ||
| The Black Press and United States History | ||
| Advertising Media 3 | ||
| Account Planning 3 | ||
| Communications Consulting 3 | ||
| Sports Marketing and Advertising 3 | ||
| Sports Communication 3 | ||
| Media Management and Policy | ||
| Voice and Diction | ||
| Cause Communications 3 | ||
| Media in Asia 3, H | ||
| Advertising in the Age of Alexa 3 | ||
| Producing for Advertising 3 | ||
| Diversity and Communication | ||
| Gender, Class, Race, and Mass Media | ||
| Media Effects on Audiences | ||
| Media in the United Kingdom 3, H | ||
| Freedom of Expression in the United States | ||
| Concepts of Marketing 3 | ||
| Ethical Issues and Sports Communication | ||
| New Media Technologies: Their Impact on the Future of Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations 3 | ||
| Market Intelligence 3, H | ||
| Special Topics in Mass Communication 3, H | ||
| Case Studies in Public Relations 3 | ||
| International Public Relations 3 | ||
| Crisis Communication 3 | ||
| Washington Experience | ||
| Career Exploration and Preparation 3 | ||
| Business and the Media | ||
| Social Media Analytics | ||
| Art Direction in Advertising 3 | ||
| The Branding of Me 3 | ||
| User Experience Design and Usability 3 | ||
| Emerging Technologies 3 | ||
| Workroom FashionMash Experiential Design 3 | ||
| Workroom FashionMash Product Design 3 | ||
| Individual Study | ||
| Digital Media Economics and Behavior 3, H | ||
| Leadership in a Time of Change 3, H | ||
| Digital Advertising and Marketing 3, H | ||
| Social Marketing Campaigns 3, H | ||
| Advertising Campaigns 3, H | ||
| Introductory Honors Course 3 | ||
| Honors Essay 3 | ||
| Capstone 2 | ||
| At least one course | 3 | |
| Media Hub (with instructor's approval) H | ||
| Public Relations Campaigns H | ||
| Digital Media Economics and Behavior 3, H | ||
| Leadership in a Time of Change 3, H | ||
| Digital Advertising and Marketing 3, H | ||
| Social Marketing Campaigns 3, H | ||
| Advertising Campaigns 3, H | ||
| PRSSA Campaigns | ||
| Special Topics in Advertising H | ||
| Introductory Honors Course 3 | ||
| Honors Essay 3 | ||
| Choice | ||
| Students must take one course of their choosing to satisfy the 39-hour MEJO minimum. This can be any course offered in the school, regardless specific area of study (except MEJO 393). Students are allowed to take several additional courses in the choice category. Doing so will push them past the 39-hour minimum. | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 39 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
Special Opportunities in Media and Journalism
Honors in Media and Journalism
An honors program is available to students who have demonstrated their ability to perform distinguished work. Invitation to the senior-level honors courses (MEJO 691H and MEJO 692H) is based upon a grade point average of 3.5 or better in the major and 3.3 overall, recommendation by a faculty member in the school, and approval by the director of the honors program. Students successfully completing the program graduate with honors or with highest honors.
Student Involvement
Students are encouraged to work on campus publications and programs such as The Daily Tar Heel, Black Ink, and the Her Campus website, among others. The school also offers a number of opportunities to gain professional experience including "Carolina Week," "Carolina Connection," "Sports Xtra," Reese Innovation Lab, and Heelprint Communications. Students are also encouraged to join appropriate professional organizations, including campus chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists, American Advertising Federation, Public Relations Student Society of America, Carolina Association of Black Journalists (affiliated with the National Association of Black Journalists), Radio Television Digital News Association, Society for News Design, National Press Photographers Association, Carolina Association of Future Magazine Editors, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and SABEW.
Internships
The school strongly encourages students to obtain internships because they provide invaluable professional experience. Reporting, advertising, photo and video journalism, graphic design, broadcast news, public relations, business, and other internships are possible. Majors can enroll in MEJO 393 to receive internship credit (one credit hour, repeatable three times). MEJO 393 fulfills the experiential education General Education requirement (in the Making Connections curriculum). The school’s career services staff oversees internship credit. MEJO 393 cannot be counted in the minimum of 39 credit hours required by the school, but it will count in the total 120 credit hours required by the University. MEJO 153 is a prerequisite.
Study Abroad
Students are encouraged to study abroad. In addition to the programs available to all UNC students through the UNC Study Abroad Office, the school has its own study abroad exchanges with top media and journalism schools in Argentina, Chile, Hong Kong, London, and Spain. Students should consult with the school’s study abroad advisors (located in the Undergraduate Hub in Carroll Hall) to determine any media and journalism course credit prior to the study abroad term.
Undergraduate Scholarships
Many special scholarships and awards are available to media and journalism majors and to students transferring into the school. For information, see the school’s website.
Undergraduate Research
Some undergraduates participate in research through a research pool that assists faculty members in their research and creative activities, through independent studies with faculty members to work on specific projects, and through the school’s honors program, which engages the student in substantive research that culminates in a thesis in the senior year.
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Dean
Raul Reis
