News Concentration
You will learn to find, verify and tell stories that matter, using whatever platform best suits the task. The news concentration trains reporters, producers and editors to produce accurate and timely stories that serve their audience.
You will report for real, covering campus and community news in print or online for Mustang News, or on air for KCPR 91.3 FM or for twice-weekly MNTV newscasts.
You choose your own emphasis. If you want to write, you can build a portfolio by taking feature writing, data journalism and an advanced reporting class. If you want to be on air, you can take the broadcast news, video news gathering, announcing and the live newscast class.practicum.
All of the news courses emphasize integrity, accuracy and independence.
Where You Could Work
- Newspapers and digital news sites, local and national
- Television news, from local affiliates to network
- Public radio and commercial radio
- Sports media and team broadcasting
- Nonprofit and investigative newsrooms
- Magazines and long-form outlets
- Podcast and audio production companies
- Government and public agency communications
Job Titles
- Reporter or multimedia journalist
- News producer
- Digital producer
- Editor or section editor
- Data and investigations reporter
- Photojournalist or photo editor
- Anchor or broadcaster
- Audio producer or podcast producer
- Play-by-play or sports commentator
- Managing editor
Concentration Courses
The news concentration is 15 units: two required courses and 9 units you choose.
Required Courses
JOUR 3304 Public Affairs Reporting (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F
Prerequisite: JOUR 203 or JOUR 2203.
Experience leading to advanced skills in reporting and writing stories about contemporary issues, government and courts. Field and laboratory assignments in beat reporting, public meeting coverage, writing style, investigative techniques and online journalism research. Field trip required. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 304.
JOUR 4462 Senior Project: Media Practicum (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
Prerequisite: Senior standing; and one of the following: JOUR 352, JOUR 353, JOUR 3352, or JOUR 3353.
Capstone experience that applies principles and tools of print, broadcast and digital journalism to tell engaging stories across multiple platforms. Emphasis on integrating text, video, audio, graphics, search engine optimization and social networking to produce content for digital publication. Course may be offered in classroom-based or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 462.
Electives: Choose 9 Units
Take three courses from the two paths below. You can take all three from one path or mix them.
Writing and Digital Path
JOUR 3307 Feature Writing (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
Prerequisite: JOUR 203 or JOUR 2203.
Practice in researching, interviewing and writing both long and short-form nonfiction articles for various media outlets. Analysis of similar work in current distribution. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 3 lectures. Formerly JOUR 407.
JOUR 3350 Data Journalism (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
Prerequisite: JOUR 285 or JOUR 2285; and one of the following: STAT 130, STAT 217, STAT 218, STAT 251, STAT 1000, STAT 1110, STAT 1210, or STAT 1510.
Introduction to the techniques of finding stories in data sets and presenting them visually via interactive online displays. Emphasis on adapting emerging tools for digital storytelling. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 350.
JOUR 3352 Advanced News Reporting Practicum (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: SP
Prerequisite: JOUR 334 or JOUR 3334.
Reporting practicum for the print and digital editions of Mustang News. Repeatable up to 6 units. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 352.
Audio and Visual Path
JOUR 3333 Broadcast News (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F
Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area 1B with a grade of C- or better (GE Area A3 for the 2020-26 catalogs).
Beginning broadcast news writing and reporting for radio and television. Emphasis on developing news judgment and producing radio newscasts. Introduction to television studio equipment and procedures. Lab experience includes writing and reporting live on-air for KCPR. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 333.
JOUR 3353 Advanced Broadcast Journalism Practicum (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
Prerequisite: One of the following: JOUR 303, JOUR 333, JOUR 3303, or JOUR 3333.
Experience leading to advanced skills in concepts and technologies associated with live television and radio newscast production. Field and practicum experiences in news gathering, videography, audio production, studio operation, electronic graphics, broadcast production software and editing. Emphasis on news producing, reporting and announcing skills. Repeatable up to 6 units. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 353.
In addition to the two courses above, the audio/visual path requires one of the following four. Select one of the below to complete this path:
JOUR 3338 Podcasting (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: SP
Prerequisite: One of the following: JOUR 285, JOUR 2285, JOUR 303, or JOUR 3303.
Write, produce, edit, distribute, market and monetize a podcast. Lab experience includes writing and producing a podcast pilot and episodes. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 338.
JOUR 3346 Broadcast Announcing and Production (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F
Prerequisite: JOUR 203 or JOUR 2203. Recommended: JOUR 285 or JOUR 2285.
Develop on-air skills in the performance of voiceovers, stand-ups, hosting and the production of televised public service announcements. Emphasis on the effective use of audio and non-linear video editing techniques as well as broadcast writing. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 346.
JOUR 3348 Video News Gathering (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: TBD
Prerequisite: JOUR 203 or JOUR 2203; and JOUR 333 or JOUR 3333.
Instruction on video news gathering that includes advanced news writing, field reporting and editing for broadcast. Emphasis on developing research techniques, interviewing skills, responsible and effective non-linear video editing, compelling use of natural sound and professional on-air delivery. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 348.
JOUR 3378 Advanced Sportscasting (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: SP
Prerequisite: JOUR 285 or JOUR 2285; and one of the following: JOUR 303, JOUR 346, JOUR 3303, or JOUR 3346.
Develop advanced skills in sports reporting and writing for broadcast, web and social media. Play-by-play. Job search in sports journalism. Field trip may be required. Course offered in hybrid format with classroom-based and online learning. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 378.