Media and Journalism Major, B.A.
Susan King, Dean
Charlie Tuggle, Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies
Sharon Jones, Director, Academic Advising & Student Engagement
The school 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.
More than perhaps any other field, 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 a semester and during the summer.
Students are responsible for meeting all other graduation requirements. If they have questions about their requirements they should consult an advisor in the school’s Undergraduate Hub (Carroll Hall) or a senior associate dean. Specific information about graduation requirements, advising, registration, and other procedures is also available on the school’s Web site.
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.
Department Programs
Majors
Minor
Certificate Programs
Graduate Programs
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 for the country in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located, 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 mass 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 own 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.
In addition to the ACEJMC competencies listed above, the school espouses and lives by the Hussman statement of core values:
- Impartiality means reporting, editing, and delivering the news honestly, fairly, objectively, and without personal opinion or bias. Credibility is the greatest asset of any news medium, and impartiality is the greatest source of credibility.
- To provide the most complete report, a news organization must not just cover the news, but uncover it. It must follow the story wherever it leads, regardless of any preconceived ideas on what might be most newsworthy.
- The pursuit of truth is a noble goal of journalism. But the truth is not always apparent or known immediately. Journalists’ role is therefore not to determine what they believe at that time to be the truth and reveal only that to their readers, but rather to report as completely and impartially as possible all verifiable facts so that readers can, based on their own knowledge and experience, determine what they believe to be the truth.
- When a newspaper delivers both news and opinions, the impartiality and credibility of the news organization can be questioned. To minimize this as much as possible there needs to be a sharp and clear distinction between news and opinion, both to those providing and consuming the news.
Requirements
In addition to the program requirements, students must
- attain a final cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
- complete a minimum of 45 academic credit hours earned from UNC–Chapel Hill courses
- take at least half of their major course requirements (courses and credit hours) at UNC–Chapel Hill
- earn a minimum of 18 hours of C or better in the major core requirements (some majors require 21 hours).
For more information, please consult the degree requirements section of the catalog.
The requirements were updated in the 2018–2019 Catalog on 8/21/2018.
Requirements Outside the School
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Government/Politics | ||
| Select one from the following list: | 3 | |
| American Democracy in Changing Times H | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Politics H | ||
| International Relations and Global Politics H | ||
| The United States Supreme Court | ||
| Race, Innocence, and the Decline of the Death Penalty | ||
| Politics in the U.S. States H | ||
| Philosophical and Moral Reasoning | ||
| Select one from the following list: | 3 | |
| Media Ethics 1 | ||
| 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 | ||
| Outside Concentration | ||
| At least three courses in another department or school 4 | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
| 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 | MEJO 141 may also be used towards the "conceptual" requirement (see below). |
| 2 | Cannot be used towards the "Outside Concentration" requirement. |
| 3 | PHIL 272/POLI 272/PWAD 272 can be used to satisfy the "Outside Concentration" requirement because it also fulfills the GL and NA Gen Ed requirements. |
| 4 | Students are expected to gain a depth of knowledge of a topic outside the school. Completing another major or minor would fulfill this requirement. |
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 Web site and return it to Student Records and Registration in Carroll Hall for approval. They must then meet with an academic advisor 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 the bachelor of arts with a major 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 who enter the University in fall 2013 or later must complete a minimum of 39 credits in media and journalism with a grade point average of 2.0 or better. A grade of D in a MEJO core 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. 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. The school will normally accept only six credit hours of media and journalism courses taken at other institutions and requires students to pass exemption examinations to receive credit for certain basic courses. The school typically does not accept transfer credit for MEJO 153.
Of the basic 120 hours for graduation at least 72 hours must be outside media and journalism. Please check the course list below or ConnectCarolina for prerequisite information for MEJO courses.
Students must achieve a passing score of at least 70 on the school’s usage and grammar examination.
Media and Journalism Major, B.A.–Journalism
| 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 | 6 | |
| Sports Xtra | ||
| News Editing | ||
| 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 | 6 | |
| Feature Writing | ||
| Opinion Writing | ||
| Special Skills in Mass Communication | ||
| 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 | ||
| Publication Design | ||
| Intermediate Interactive Media | ||
| Multimedia Storytelling: Carolina Photojournalism Workshop | ||
| Photojournalism, Lighting, and Business Techniques | ||
| At least two courses from Level 3 | 6 | |
| Producing Television News | ||
| Broadcast News and Production Management H | ||
| Economics Reporting | ||
| Business Reporting | ||
| Business and the Media | ||
| Advanced Reporting | ||
| Advanced Editing | ||
| Environmental and Science Journalism H | ||
| Environmental and Science Video Storytelling | ||
| Environmental and Science Documentary Television | ||
| Environmental Storytelling | ||
| Data Driven Journalism | ||
| Photo Stories | ||
| Advanced Documentary Video Storytelling | ||
| Advanced Interactive Media | ||
| International Projects H | ||
| 3D Design Studio | ||
| Motion Graphics | ||
| Conceptual Courses | ||
| Students must also complete two courses from the following list: | 6 | |
| Media Ethics | ||
| Current Issues in Mass Communication | ||
| 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 | ||
| Introduction to Internet Issues and Concepts | ||
| Sports Marketing and Advertising | ||
| Media Management and Policy | ||
| Voice and Diction | ||
| Digital Media Law and Society | ||
| Diversity and Communication | ||
| Gender, Class, Race, and Mass Media | ||
| Latino Media Studies | ||
| Media Effects on Audiences | ||
| Global Communication and Comparative Journalism | ||
| Media in the United Kingdom H | ||
| Freedom of Expression in the United States | ||
| Southern Politics: Critical Thinking and Writing | ||
| Health Communication | ||
| 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 | ||
| User Experience Design and Usability | ||
| Special Topics in Mass Communication (when appropriate topic) H | ||
| The Branding of Me | ||
| Emerging Technologies | ||
| Individual Study | ||
| Capstone | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Media Hub H | ||
| Business News Wire | ||
| Business Journalism Management | ||
| Magazine Writing and Editing | ||
| Digital Media Economics and Behavior H | ||
| Leadership in a Time of Change H | ||
| Photojournalism Projects | ||
| Magazine Design | ||
| Introductory Honors Course | ||
| Honors Essay | ||
| 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 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. |
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.
| 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 | 3 |
| Concentration | ||
| One course from Level 1 | 3 | |
| Principles of Advertising and Public Relations | ||
| At least three courses from Level 2 | ||
| MEJO 379 | Advertising and Public Relations Research | 3 |
| Two additional courses from the following list: | 6 | |
| 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 | ||
| UX Strategy and Design | ||
| At least two courses from Level 3 | 6 | |
| Public Information Strategies | ||
| Concepts of Marketing | ||
| New Media Technologies: Their Impact on the Future of Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations | ||
| Market Intelligence H | ||
| Special Topics in Mass Communication H | ||
| Green Brand Lab | ||
| Case Studies in Public Relations | ||
| Crisis Communication | ||
| Art Direction in Advertising | ||
| The Branding of Me | ||
| Conceptual (at least two courses) 2 | 6 | |
| Media Ethics | ||
| Current Issues in Mass Communication | ||
| 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 | ||
| Introduction to Internet Issues and Concepts | ||
| Media Management and Policy | ||
| Voice and Diction | ||
| Digital Media Law and Society | ||
| Diversity and Communication | ||
| Gender, Class, Race, and Mass Media | ||
| Latino Media Studies | ||
| Media Effects on Audiences | ||
| Global Communication and Comparative Journalism | ||
| Media in the United Kingdom H | ||
| Freedom of Expression in the United States | ||
| Southern Politics: Critical Thinking and Writing | ||
| Health Communication | ||
| Ethical Issues and Sports Communication | ||
| Special Topics in Mass Communication H | ||
| User Experience Design and Usability | ||
| Emerging Technologies | ||
| Individual Study | ||
| Capstone | ||
| At least one course | 3 | |
| Public Relations Campaigns | ||
| Digital Media Economics and Behavior H | ||
| Leadership in a Time of Change H | ||
| Digital Advertising and Marketing H | ||
| Social Marketing Campaigns | ||
| Advertising Campaigns | ||
| Special Topics in Advertising | ||
| Introductory Honors Course | ||
| Honors Essay | ||
| 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 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. |
Special Opportunities in Journalism and Media
Honors in Journalism and Media
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. A number of other courses carry the honors designation.
Student Involvement
Students are encouraged to work on campus publications and programs such as The Daily Tar Heel, Black Ink, Blue & White, The Siren, Synapse, and the Her Campus Web site, among others. The school also offers a number of opportunities to gain professional experience including "Carolina Week," "Carolina Connection," "Sports Xtra," The Durham VOICE, 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, 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. 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 students through the UNC Study Abroad Office, the school has its own study abroad exchanges with top media and journalism schools in Australia, Argentina, Chile, France, 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 are available to media and journalism majors and to students transferring into the school. For information, see the school’s Web site.
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.
