Communication - Digital Journalism (Bachelor of Arts)

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication is obtained by successfully completing 120 credit hours, with at least 72 hours outside the Communication major. Fifty-three (53) of those 72 hours must be courses in liberal arts and sciences.  A minor is required for this degree. 

The Jax MIX General Education requirements are made up of the following:

Course Title Credits
Jax MIX Communication12
For math, select one course from the following:
Finite Mathematics
Basic Statistics
Jax MIX Expression9
Jax MIX Inquiry8
Jax MIX Experience12
Professional and Aesthetic Development - Select two courses: 6
Graphic Design Technologies
Design I
Introduction to Photography
Photoshop Tools
Film Technology Foundations I
Technology in Music
Advanced Technology
Social and Cultural Foundations - Select two courses: 16
Cultural Anthropology
Current Social Issues
Survey of African American Literature I
Survey of African American Literature II
Native American Literature
Women's Literature
LGBTQ+ Literature
Beginner's French I
Beginner's French II
Introduction to Gender and Diversity Studies
Beginner's Spanish I
Beginner's Spanish II
Social Problems
Sociology of Disability
Social Movements and Activism
Race, Ethnicity, and Society
Religion, Spirituality, and Cults
Sociology of Sexualities
Gender and Society
Total Hours53

Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 and complete, with a minimum grade of “C,” all Department of Communication courses required for the degree. Students who make a grade of “D” or “F” in a communication course may repeat the course only once. A second “D” or “F” in the same course will exclude a student from majoring or minoring in communication.

A major in communication must include:

Course Title Credits
COM 200Introduction to Mass Communication3
COM 320Video Production and Editing3
COM 358Communication Theory3
COM 380Communication Law (WI)3
COM 395Ethics and Global Journalism (WI)3
COM 415Mass Communication Research3
COM 491Internship 2, 33
Total Hours21

The concentration in Digital Journalism includes:

Course Title Credits
Digital Journalism
COM 315Introduction to News3
COM 317Editing3
COM 410Media Features (WI)3
COM 420Advanced Reporting3
COM 445Media Management3
COM Media Workshop - select 3 from the following: 43
Media Workshop - News Publishing
Media Workshop - Radio Broadcasting
Media Workshop - Public Relations & Advertising
Media Workshop - Video News
Media Workshop - Sports Media Production
Media Workshop - Multimedia Production
COM Electives (2 courses) 46
Total Hours24

Communication electives for the Digital Journalism concentration should be selected from the following:

Course Title Credits
COM 301Introduction to Television Production3
COM 302Introduction to Audio Production3
COM 304Introduction to Advertising3
COM 305Advanced Audio Production3
COM 306Sport Communication3
COM 307Media Literacy3
COM 309Entertainment & Media3
COM 316Podcasting3
COM 325Publication Design3
COM 330Introduction to Public Relations3
COM 345Social Media Strategy3
COM 360Media Workshop - News Publishing 1
COM 361Media Workshop - Radio Broadcasting 1
COM 362Media Workshop - Public Relations & Advertising1
COM 363Media Workshop - Video News1
COM 364Media Workshop - Sports Media Production1
COM 365Media Workshop - Multimedia Production1
COM 385Multimedia Design3
COM 397Advanced Video Production3
COM 412Digital Media Analytics3
MKT 301Principles of Marketing3
MKT 325Digital Marketing3
MKT 378Consumer Behavior3

In addition to courses noted below, candidates for graduation must successfully complete all JSU Academic Regulations. More information about Jax MIX requirements and Alabama Transfers equivalents can be found in their respective section of the catalog.

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
FallHours
Jax MIX Communication: EH Composition Sequence 3
Jax MIX Expression: Fine Arts 3
EH 141 Speech (Jax MIX Communication) 3
MS 204
Basic Statistics (Jax MIX Communication)
or Finite Mathematics
3
Jax MIX Experience: History 3
SSC 101 First Year Experience 0
 Hours15
Spring
Jax MIX Communication: EH Composition Sequence 3
Jax MIX Inquiry: Science 4
Jax MIX Experience: History 3
COM 200 Introduction to Mass Communication 3
Minor or General Electives 3
 Hours16
Sophomore
Fall
Jax MIX Expression: Literature 3
Jax MIX Inquiry: Science 4
Jax MIX Experience: Social/Behavioral Science 3
COM 315 Introduction to News 3
Minor or General Electives 3
 Hours16
Spring
Jax MIX Expression: Literature 3
Jax MIX Experience: Social/Behavioral Science 3
Professional and Aesthetic Development 3
COM 317 Editing 3
COM 320 Video Production and Editing 3
COM Media Workshop 1 1
 Hours16
Junior
Fall
Professional & Aesthetic Development 3
Social and Cultural Foundations 3
COM 358 Communication Theory 3
COM 410 Media Features (WI) 3
COM Media Workshop 1 1
Minor or General Electives 3
 Hours16
Spring
Social and Cultural Foundations 3
COM 380 Media Law (WI) 3
COM 415 Mass Communication Research 3
COM Media Workshop 1 1
COM Elective 2 3
 Hours13
Summer
COM 491 Internship 3
 Hours3
Senior
Fall
COM 395 Media Ethics (WI) 3
COM Elective 2 3
Minor or General Electives 7
 Hours13
Spring
COM 420 Advanced Reporting 3
COM 445 Media Management 3
Minor or General Electives 6
 Hours12
 Total Hours120