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

Government/Politics
Select one from the following list: 33
IDEAs in Action General Education logo American Democracy in Changing Times H, F
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Comparative Politics H, F
IDEAs in Action General Education logo International Relations and Global Politics H, F
The United States Supreme Court
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Race, Innocence, and the Decline of the Death Penalty
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Politics in the U.S. States H
Ethical and Civic Values
Select one from the following list: 33
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Media Ethics 2
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Virtue, Value, and Happiness: An Introduction to Moral Theory H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Practical Ethics: Moral Reasoning and How We Live H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Liberty, Rights, and Responsibilities: Introduction to Social Ethics and Political Thought H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo The Ethics of Peace, War, and Defense
Total Hours6
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. To request a review of eligible courses, students should submit a Transfer Credit Request Form through Connect Carolina.

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. At the end of each semester, students are advised to also download a summary report for their records. 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.

School Core
MEJO 121IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Digital Storytelling 13
MEJO 153Writing and Reporting 13
MEJO 340Introduction to Media Law: Journalism Focus3
Concentration 5
At least two courses from Level 1 36
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Sports Xtra
Introduction to Political Communication
Foundations of Photojournalism
Foundations of Graphic Design
Foundations of Interactive Media
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Audio Journalism
Introduction to Public Affairs Reporting
At least two courses from Level 2 36
Sports Production and Broadcasting
Sports Production and Broadcasting Practicum 6
Feature Writing
Opinion Writing
Special Skills in Mass Communication (when JRN topic) 7
Television News Reporting and Producing
Audio Journalism for Radio and Podcasts
Creative Sportswriting
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Community Journalism
News Lab: Creating Tomorrow's News Products
Business Concepts for Communications
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) 7, H
At least two courses from Level 3 36
Producing Television News
Broadcast News and Production Management H
Reporting & Writing About the Economy
Reporting & Writing About Business
Business and the Media
Advanced Reporting
News Editing 4
Environmental and Science Journalism H
Environmental and Science Documentary Television
Environmental Storytelling
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Data Driven Journalism
Photo Stories
User Experience Design and Usability
Advanced Documentary Video Storytelling
Advanced Interactive Media
IDEAs in Action General Education logo International Projects 11, H
3D Design Studio
Emerging Technologies
Motion Graphics
Washington D.C. In-Residence Semester
Conceptual Courses 5
Students must also complete two courses (6 hours) from the following list: 36
Principles of Advertising and Public Relations
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Media Ethics 2
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Cultural Competency in Journalism and Strategic Communication
Introduction to Political Communication
From Gutenberg to Google: A History of Media
Public Issues in the Platform Era
Sports and the Media 10
IDEAs in Action General Education logo The Black Press and United States History
Advertising Media
Account Planning
Communications Consulting
Sports Marketing and Advertising
Sports Communication
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advertising and Public Relations Research
Media Management and Policy
Voice and Diction
Cause Communications
Media in Asia 11, H
Advertising in the Age of Alexa
Producing for Advertising
Diversity and Communication
Gender, Class, Race, and Mass Media
Media Effects on Audiences
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Media in the United Kingdom 11, H
Freedom of Expression in the United States
Business Concepts for Communications
Health Communication and Marketing
Concepts of Marketing
Ethical Issues and Sports Communication
New Media Technologies: Their Impact on the Future of Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Market Intelligence H
Special Topics in Mass Communication H
Freelance Fundamentals
Case Studies in Public Relations
International Public Relations
Crisis Communication
Career Exploration and Preparation
Business and the Media
Behavioral Science in Health Communication
Social Media Analytics
Art Direction in Advertising
The Branding of Me
User Experience Design and Usability
Emerging Technologies
Workroom FashionMash Experiential Design
Workroom FashionMash Product Design
Individual Study
Washington Experience H
Digital Media Economics and Behavior H
Leadership in a Time of Change H
Digital Advertising and Marketing H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Social Marketing Campaigns H
Advertising Campaigns H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introductory Honors Course
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Honors Essay
Capstone 5
Select one course from the following: 33
Media Hub H
Business News Wire H
Business Journalism Management H
Washington Experience 12, H
Digital Media Economics and Behavior H
Leadership in a Time of Change H
Magazine Writing and Editing
Health Marketing Capstone H
Documentary Projects H
Magazine Design
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introductory Honors Course
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Honors Essay
Choice 5
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 MEJO 89 and MEJO 101), regardless of the 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 Hours39
H

Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply.

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. 

School Core
MEJO 121IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Digital Storytelling 13
MEJO 153Writing and Reporting 13
MEJO 341IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Media Law: Advertising, Public Relations, and Strategic Communication Focus (MEJO 153 is a prerequisite)3
Concentration 5
One course from Level 13
Principles of Advertising and Public Relations
At least three courses from Level 2. All students are required to take MEJO 379. 39
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advertising and Public Relations Research
Two additional courses from the following list: 3
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Public Relations Writing
Video for Marketing and Public Relations
Visual Design for Strategic Communication
Advertising Creative
Advertising Media
Account Planning
Communications Consulting
Sports Marketing and Advertising
Sports Communication
Special Skills in Mass Communication (when AD/PR topic) 8
At least two courses from Level 3 36
Cause Communications
UX Strategy and Design
Media in Asia 11, H
Advertising in the Age of Alexa
Producing for Advertising
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Media in the United Kingdom 11, H
Health Communication and Marketing
Concepts of Marketing
New Media Technologies: Their Impact on the Future of Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Market Intelligence H
Special Topics in Mass Communication (when AD/PR topic) 9, H
Green Brand Lab
Case Studies in Public Relations
International Public Relations
Crisis Communication
Career Exploration and Preparation
Business and the Media
Advanced Reporting (with instructor's approval)
Behavioral Science in Health Communication
Art Direction in Advertising
The Branding of Me
Workroom FashionMash Experiential Design
Workroom FashionMash Product Design
Washington D.C. In-Residence Semester
Conceptual Courses 56
Students must also complete two courses (6 hours) from the following list: 3
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Media Ethics 2
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Cultural Competency in Journalism and Strategic Communication
Introduction to Political Communication
From Gutenberg to Google: A History of Media
Public Issues in the Platform Era
Sports and the Media 10
IDEAs in Action General Education logo The Black Press and United States History
Advertising Media
Account Planning
Communications Consulting
Sports Marketing and Advertising
Sports Communication
Media Management and Policy
Voice and Diction
Cause Communications
Media in Asia 11, H
Advertising in the Age of Alexa
Producing for Advertising
Diversity and Communication
Gender, Class, Race, and Mass Media
Media Effects on Audiences
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Media in the United Kingdom 11, H
Freedom of Expression in the United States
Business Concepts for Communications
Health Communication and Marketing
Concepts of Marketing
Ethical Issues and Sports Communication
New Media Technologies: Their Impact on the Future of Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Market Intelligence H
Special Topics in Mass Communication H
Freelance Fundamentals
Case Studies in Public Relations
International Public Relations
Crisis Communication
Career Exploration and Preparation
Business and the Media
Behavioral Science in Health Communication
Social Media Analytics
Art Direction in Advertising
The Branding of Me
User Experience Design and Usability
Emerging Technologies
Workroom FashionMash Experiential Design
Workroom FashionMash Product Design
Individual Study
Washington Experience H
Digital Media Economics and Behavior H
Leadership in a Time of Change H
Digital Advertising and Marketing H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Social Marketing Campaigns H
Advertising Campaigns H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introductory Honors Course
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Honors Essay
Capstone 5
At least one course 33
Media Hub (with instructor's approval) H
Public Relations Campaigns H
Washington Experience 12, H
Digital Media Economics and Behavior H
Leadership in a Time of Change H
Health Marketing Capstone H
Digital Advertising and Marketing H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Social Marketing Campaigns H
Advertising Campaigns H
PRSSA Campaigns
Special Topics in Advertising H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introductory Honors Course
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Honors Essay
Choice 5
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 MEJO 89 and MEJO 101), regardless of the 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 Hours39
H

Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply.


The below footnotes apply to advertising/public relations or journalism areas of study.

1

It is recommended that students take MEJO 153 and MEJO 121 together.

2

MEJO 141 will satisfy Ethical and Civic Values and Conceptual.

3

Not all of the courses may be offered every semester.

4

If you have taken MEJO 157, you can't receive credit for this course.

5

Courses listed in more than one area may satisfy only one requirement.

6

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.

7

Satisfies JRN-Level 2, when approved by the associate dean for undergraduate studies.

8

Satisfies AD/PR-Level 2, when approved by the associate dean for undergraduate studies.

9

Satisfies AD/PR-Level 3, when approved by the associate dean for undergraduate studies.

10

MEJO 245 is offered at 1 credit hour. To meet the minimum of 6 hours for Conceptual, students must choose an additional Conceptual course.

11

Global Immersive Program. For more information on how to apply, visit Hussman Global Programs.

12

MEJO 644 was previously offered as MEJO 537. MEJO 537 will count as a Capstone for students who complete the course in Fall 2022 and beyond.

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.

Hussman School of Journalism and Media

Visit Program Website

Carroll Hall, CB# 3365

(919) 962-1204

Dean

Raul Reis

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies

Julie Dixon-Green

Senior Director of Undergraduate Program

Stacy Outlaw

stacy.outlaw@unc.edu

Director, Academic Advising and Student Engagement

Sharon Jones

shjones@email.unc.edu