Interested in becoming a journalist? Here are the academic requirements you’ll need to complete to get a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the SOJC.
How to Earn a Journalism Degree
Here’s a basic overview of the path you’ll take to get to graduation:
Step 1: If you're an incoming student, declare “pre-advertising," "pre-journalism,” "pre-media studies," or "pre-public relations" on your UO application. Current UO students in other majors can fill out our pre-major application form.
Step 2: Complete the SOJC’s pre-major core requirements and courses below.
Step 3: Apply for full major status with the SOJC.
Step 4: Complete the SOJC full major core required courses.
Step 5: Take five core context courses in media theory and analysis. You can take them at the same time as your journalism sequence courses (see Step 6).
Step 6: Complete the journalism sequence requirements. You can take these courses at the same time as the core context courses.
Step 7: Complete all other general education and general studies requirements. You can complete these while you're working through the steps above.
Step 8: Apply for your degree. Congrats—you made it!
Minimum Requirements
Before you’re admitted to the SOJC, you’ll need to meet a few minimums:
To graduate with an SOJC degree, you'll also need to complete:
Pre-Major Requirements—Complete Before Applying for Full Major
You’ll begin your SOJC journey as a pre-major, so be sure to declare “pre-advertising," "pre-journalism,” "pre-media studies," or "pre-public relations" on your UO application. Before taking the next step to become a full SOJC major, you’ll need to complete these pre-major requirements, ideally during your first year.
1. Pre-Major Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| J100 | Media Professions | 2 |
| J101 | Grammar for Communicators | 2 |
| J201 | Media and Society | 4 |
2. UO Writing Requirements (Clark Honors College students are exempt from this requirement)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| WR 121 | College Composition I | 4 |
| WR 122 or WR 123 | College Composition II or III | 4 |
Full SOJC Major Core—All SOJC Students Complete
During the term you expect to complete the pre-major requirements, you should submit an application for full major status. Once you’re accepted as an SOJC full major, you’ll need to complete the courses below. Students in the SOJC Honors Program will meet some of their core context requirements with honors courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| J211 | Gateway to Media | 8 |
| J212 | Writing for Communicators | 4 |
| J213 | Fact or Fiction | 4 |
Core Context Courses—All Students Complete
All SOJC students must complete five classes in media theory/analysis. You can take them concurrently with the journalism sequence courses. If you’re an SOJC Honors student, you’ll meet some of these requirements with your honors courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| J320 | Gender, Media and Diversity (prerequisite: J201) | 4 |
| J385 | Communication Law (prerequisite: J201) | 4 |
| J387 or J396 | Media History or International Communication (prerequisite: J201) | 4 |
| J397 | Media Ethics (prerequisite: J201) | 4 |
Choose 1 of the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| J429 | Media Technologies and Society Topic* (prerequisite: J201, full major status) | 4 |
| J430 | Culture and Power in the Media Topic* (prerequisite: J201, full major status) | 4 |
| J431 | Media Structures and Regulation Topic* (prerequisite: J201, full major status) | 4 |
* Any course listed under the same course number will count. Course titles offered within each topic will vary. These courses are repeatable if the topics have different titles.
Journalism Sequence Requirements—Journalism Majors Complete
Once you complete the full major core, you can start registering for the courses below to complete your journalism degree. Choose either the Writing Concentration or the Visual Concentration.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| J361 | Reporting I (prerequisites: J major status, J211, J212) | 4 |
| J462 | Reporting II (prerequisites: J211, J212, J213, J361) | 4 |
| J463 | Specialized Reporting Topic* (prerequisites: J211, J212, J213, J361) | 4 |
Writing Concentration (choose 2 courses):
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| J371 | Feature Writing I (prerequisites: J211, J212, J213, J361) | 4 |
| J461 | Newspaper Editing (prerequisites: J211, J212, J213, J361) | 4 |
| J468 | Advanced News Editing (prerequisite: J461) | 4 |
| J472 | Feature Article Writing II (prerequisite: J371) | 4 |
| J483 | Journalistic Interview (prerequisites: J211, J212, J213, J361) | 4 |
Visual Concentration (choose 2 courses):
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| J331 | Digital Video Production (prerequisites: J major status, J211, 212, 213) | 4 |
| J365 | Photojournalism (prerequisites: full major status, J211, J212, J213) | 4 |
| J421 | Documentary Production (prerequisite: J331) | 4 |
| J432 | Reporting for Electronic Media (prerequisite: J331) | 4 |
| J434 | Advanced TV News (prerequisite: J432) | 4 |
| J436 | Media Design Topic* (prerequisite: J361) | 4 |
| J466 | Advanced Photojournalism Topic* (prerequisite: J365) | 4 |
Additional sequence course (choose at least 4 credits total):
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| J404 | Internship | 1–9 |
| J408 | Workshops Topic* | 1–2 |
| J409 | Practicum | 1–4 |
| J463 | Specialized Reporting Topic* (must be a different topic than what was used above) | 4 |
| J469 | Mobile Media Production | 4 |
| J475 | FLUX Production | 1–5 |
| N/A | Any additional concentration course not previously taken | N/A |
* Any course listed under the same course number will count. Course titles offered within each topic will vary. These courses are repeatable if the topics have different titles.
General Studies Requirements—All Journalism Students Complete
All SOJC students must complete at least 104 non-SOJC credits. For journalism majors, choose one of the following options:
- Non-SOJC minor. See the UO Course Catalog for a list of applicable subject areas. Most minors are 24–32 credits (6–8 courses).
- Declare a nonmajor concentration. Take 24 credits (6 courses) from one non-SOJC area. At least 12 of these credits must be 300-level or higher, and at least 4 must be 400-level. Technical, performance, physical education, and Clark Honors College credits are not considered concentrations.
- Double-major in a program outside the SOJC. See the UO Course Catalog for a list of major options.
Electives—Complete 4+ Credits
You’ll need at least 4 SOJC elective credits to reach the minimum 72 credits required. You can choose any journalism courses not previously taken .
Academic Support and Career Advising
Need some guidance? Our academic advisors are here for you. The SOJC Student Services Center is your one-stop shop for undergrad academic advice and career-building tips. All undergraduate SOJC students are welcome—even if you haven’t enrolled yet. Drop in to Student Services on the ground floor of Allen Hall or make an appointment to get on track to meet your goals.