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Advertising hot issues
- What if I don’t meet the qualifications to get into the major?
- How long will it take me to finish and graduate?
- If I am an upper division student (60 units or more), are there any upper division classes required for my major I can take while I am still a premajor?
- How do I find an internship?
- What are Allied Discipline Courses?
What if I don’t meet the qualifications to get into the major?
Students with major catalog year 2005 and earlier:
Preparation-for-the-major:
If you did not earn at least a 2.85 in the five prep-for-the-major classes, then you will need to retake one or more of the classes to earn a 2.85. If you earned C’s, you will not be able to receive course forgiveness, you will not earn units for the repeated class(es), nor will the new grades be counted into your cumulative GPA. We will however, hand-calculate the new grade in your prep-for-the-major GPA requirement.
Cumulative GPA:
If your cumulative GPA is below 2.75, you have two options:
- Continue taking classes to bring your GPA up to 2.75. See an adviser in the Office of Advising and Evaluations (http://arweb.sdsu.edu/es/advising) to know exactly what grades you will need to earn.
- You will need to change majors. See Advising Coordinator and/or the Office of Advising and Evaluations for help.
GSP: If you earned lower than a 75, you will have to change majors. We suggest Media Studies, since it has similar premajor requirements but does not require the GSP.
Students with catalog year 2006 and forward:
a) If you have earned at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA, a 2.85 in the prep-for-the-major classes and at least a 75 on the GSP, you are eligible to petition for entrance to the major. Please email the JMS advising center or advising coordinator for petition forms, or visit us in person to talk about the process.
b) If you have not earned at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA, a 2.85 GPA in the prep-for-the-major and/or a 75 on the GSP, you are not eligible to petition. You will need to either bring up your GPAs, or choose another major. See Advising Coordinator and/or the Office of Advising and Evaluations for help.
How long will it take me to finish and graduate?
The core required major classes in the advertising emphasis are taken in a sequence; they can not be taken all at one time. Additionally, some of the classes are only offered in the fall and some are only offered spring semesters. The advertising major can only be finished in a spring semester. Essentially, in your junior year you need to make sure you take two classes: JMS 460 and 310W and earn at least a C in each one. You can take JMS 460 while still a premajor. You can not take JMS 310W until you’ve been admitted to the major. In addition to being offered fall and spring semesters, JMS 310W is offered in the second session of summer school, so as long as you take JMS 460 in either fall or spring semester of your junior year, and JMS 310W in your junior year or the summer before you start your senior year, you will graduate on time.
Both of these classes are required prerequisites for JMS 461 and JMS 560, which you will take the fall semester of your senior year; In fact, these two classes are ONLY offered in fall semesters, so if you aren’t ready to take them in the fall semester (by not completing the prerequisite classes), then it will be another entire year before you can take them again, putting you on a 5-year graduation plan.
Once you have taken JMS 461 and JMS 560 in the fall semester of your senior year, then you are prepared to take JMS 565 in your final spring semester.
Additionally, if you want to do an internship, you would do it spring semester of your senior year, since the prerequisite is completion of JMS 461. The units for the internship class, JMS 490A, will count toward your required 6 units of electives.
The other required courses for the major may be taken any time before you graduate.
If I am an upper division student (60 units or more), are there any upper division classes required for my major I can take while I am still a premajor?
Yes. JMS 375, 460, 489 ,494; 3 units selected from 300, 440, 480; 6 units of electives and you can start work on your allied discipline (except management or marketing, which require you to be in the major).
How do I find an internship?
If you want to do an advertising internship, you should begin searching for one during the fall semester of your senior year. You are responsible for finding your own internship; however, there is an internship directory available at the School of Journalism & Media Studies main office, PSFA 361.
The internship is an actual class for which you will need to register and you will receive up to 3 units for completing the internship class. You can not register for the class during the registration period; instead you will need to go to the first day of class to receive your add code. The internship class is offered every fall, spring, and summer session. If you have questions about internships in advertising, contact Dr. Barbara Mueller.
What are Allied Discipline Courses?
An allied discipline is like a minor in that you will do coursework in a discipline outside of your major, but it is fewer units than a minor and will not show up on your diploma. You are required to complete 9 upper division units in one area. See the Allied Discipline flyer for lists of classes you can take.
One caveat: you are not allowed to take the allied discipline classes in management or marketing until you have achieved major status.
If you would like to do coursework in an area not on the approved list, you must get approval from the advising coordinator.
Journalism hot issues
- What if I don’t meet the qualifications to get into the major?
- If I am an upper division student (60 units or more), are there any upper division classes required for my major I can take while I am still a premajor?
- What minors do you recommend?
- How long will it take me to finish and graduate?
- How do I find an Internship?
What if I don’t meet the qualifications to get into the major?
Students with major catalog year 2005 and earlier:
Preparation-for-the-major:
If you did not earn at least a 2.85 in the five prep-for-the-major classes, then you will need to retake one or more of the classes to earn a 2.85. If you earned C’s, you will not be able to receive course forgiveness, you will not earn units for the repeated class(es), nor will the new grades be counted into your cumulative GPA. We will however, hand-calculate the new grade in your prep-for-the-major GPA requirement.
Cumulative GPA:
If your cumulative GPA is below 2.75, you have two options:
- Continue taking classes to bring your GPA up to 2.75. See an adviser in the Office of Advising and Evaluations (http://arweb.sdsu.edu/es/advising) to know exactly what grades you will need to earn.
- You will need to change majors. See Advising Coordinator and/or the Office of Advising and Evaluations for help.
GSP: If you earned lower than a 75, you will have to change majors. We suggest Media Studies, since it has similar premajor requirements but does not require the GSP.
Students with catalog year 2006 and forward:
a) If you have earned at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA, a 2.85 in the prep-for-the-major classes and at least a 75 on the GSP, you are eligible to petition for entrance to the major. Please email the JMS advising center or advising coordinator for petition forms, or visit us in person to talk about the process.
b) If you have not earned at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA, a 2.85 GPA in the prep-for-the-major and/or a 75 on the GSP, you are not eligible to petition. You will need to either bring up your GPAs, or choose another major. See Advising Coordinator and/or the Office of Advising and Evaluations for help.
If I am an upper division student (60 units or more), are there any upper division classes required for my major I can take while I am still a premajor?
Yes. You can take JMS 300, 375, 440, 489, 494 and any coursework toward your minor.
What minors do you recommend?
If you want to specialize in a particular content area of journalism, such as health, sports, or entertainment, we recommend getting your minor in that field. For example, potential sports reporters should consider minoring in Recreation; Health reporters should consider Health Education; Entertainment reporters should consider Theatre or Television, Film and New Media. You might also considering minoring in a foreign language.
Reminder: you can’t major and minor within the School of Journalism & Media Studies
How long will it take me to finish and graduate?
*the following information is for students with 2007/2008 catalog years. All other catalog years should consult the “Journalism Transition Checklist.”
The core required major classes in the Journalism major are taken in a sequence; they can not be taken all at one time. It will take you three semesters to complete the Journalism emphasis once you’ve been admitted to the major. Essentially, in your junior year you need to make sure you take two classes: JMS 300 and 310W and earn at least a C in each one. You can take JMS 300 while still a premajor. You cannot take JMS 310W until you’ve been admitted to the major.
In your second semester, you need to take JMS 420, and one of the following: JMS 315, 430, or 445. Additionally, you may also take JMS 470 and one of your elective courses.
Finally, in your final semester you take JMS 550 and your other elective(s).
The other required courses for the major may be taken any time before you graduate.
How do I find an Internship?
If you want to do a Journalism internship, you should begin searching for one during the semester before you plan to do one. You are responsible for finding your own internship; however, there are lots of internship fliers posted outside PSFA 337.
The internship is an actual class for which you will need to register and you will receive up to 3 units for completing the internship class. You can not register for the class during the registration period; instead you will need to go to the first day of class to receive your add code. If you have questions about the internships injournalism, contact Dr. Tim Wulfemeyer.
Media Studies hot issues
- What if I don’t meet the qualifications to get into the major?
- If I am an upper division student (60 units or more), are there any upper division classes required for my major I can take while I am still a premajor?
- What minors do you recommend?
- How long will it take me to finish and graduate?
- Can I do an internship?
What if I don’t meet the qualifications to get into the major?
If you did not earn at least a 2.85 in the four prep-for-the-major classes you will need to either retake classes or choose other classes on the list and earn high enough grades to earn a 2.85.
If your cumulative GPA is below 2.75, you have two options:
- Continue taking classes to bring your GPA up to 2.75. See an adviser in the Office of Advising and Evaluations (link to this site) to know exactly what grades you will need to earn and how long this might take
- Change majors. Please visit the Advising Coordinator to talk about your options.
If I am an upper division student (60 units or more), are there any upper division classes required for my major I can take while I am still a premajor?
Yes. You may take JMS 300, 375, 408, 489, 494, 460, 440, 480; courses from other departments (see your checklist and class schedule); Course work toward your minor.
What minors do you recommend?
If you want to specialize in a particular content area of the media, such as health, sports, or entertainment, we recommend getting your minor in that field. For example, if you are interested in sports, consider minoring in Recreation; if you are interested in media and health, consider Health Education; If you are interested in entertainment, consider Theatre or Television, Film and New Media. You might also considering minoring in a foreign language.
Reminder: you can’t major and minor within the School of Journalism & Media Studies
How long will it take me to finish and graduate?
Catalog year 2006/2007:
Depends on how many classes you want to take at any given semester. The 2006/2007 catalog year allowed much flexibility in choosing classes; the classes are not required to be taken in a particular order, you just need to complete all the classes before you graduate. See the “Media Studies Transition Checklist” for more information
Catalog year 2007/2008:
The core required major classes in the media studies specialization are taken in a sequence; they can not be taken all at one time. It will take you three semesters to complete the media studies specialization. Essentially, in your junior year you need to make sure you take JMS 408 and earn at least a C. Then, in your senior year, you take JMS 412 and 450 together—again, earning at least a C in each course.
Both of these classes are required prerequisites for the final course in the sequence, JMS 492, which is offered every fall and spring semester.
The other required courses for the major may be taken any time before you graduate.
Can I do an internship?
No. The Media Studies major does not offer an internship class.
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Public Relations
- What if I don’t meet the qualifications to get into the major?
- How long will it take me to finish and graduate?
- What is an Allied Discipline Course?
- If I am an upper division student (60 units or more), are there any upper division classes required for my major I can take while I am still a premajor?
- How do I find an Internship?
What if I don’t meet the qualifications to get into the major?
Students with major catalog year 2005 and earlier:
Preparation-for-the-major:
If you did not earn at least a 2.85 in the five prep-for-the-major classes, then you will need to retake one or more of the classes to earn a 2.85. If you earned C’s, you will not be able to receive course forgiveness, you will not earn units for the repeated class(es), nor will the new grades be counted into your cumulative GPA. We will however, hand-calculate the new grade in your prep-for-the-major GPA requirement.
Cumulative GPA:
If your cumulative GPA is below 2.75, you have two options:
- Continue taking classes to bring your GPA up to 2.75. See an adviser in the Office of Advising and Evaluations (link to this site) to know exactly what grades you will need to earn.
- You will need to change majors. See Advising Coordinator and/or the Office of Advising and Evaluations for help.
GSP: If you earned lower than a 75, you will have to change majors. We suggest Media Studies, since it has similar premajor requirements but does not require the GSP.
Students with catalog year 2006 and forward:
a) If you have earned at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA, a 2.85 in the prep-for-the-major classes and at least a 75 on the GSP, you are eligible to petition for entrance to the major. Please email the JMS advising center or advising coordinator for petition forms, or visit us in person to talk about the process.
- If you have not earned at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA, a 2.85 GPA in the prep-for-the-major and/or a 75 on the GSP, you are not eligible to petition. You will need to either bring up your GPAs, or choose another major. See Advising Coordinator and/or the Office of Advising and Evaluations for help.
How long will it take me to finish and graduate?
The core required major classes in the public relations emphasis are taken in a sequence; they can not be taken all at one time. It will take you three semesters to complete the public relations emphasis once you’ve been admitted to the major. Essentially, in your junior year you need to make sure you take two classes: JMS 480 and 310W and earn at least a C in each one. You can take JMS 480 while still a premajor. You can not take JMS 310W until you’ve been admitted to the major. In addition to being offered fall and spring semesters, JMS 310W is offered in the second session of summer school, so as long as you take JMS 480 in either fall or spring semester of your junior year, and JMS 310W in your junior year or the summer before you start your senior year, you will graduate on time.
Both of these classes are required prerequisites for JMS 481 and JMS 581, which are offered every fall and spring semester.
Once you have taken JMS 481 and JMS 581, you are then prepared to take JMS 585 your final semester.
Additionally, if you want to do an internship, you would do it while also taking JMS 585, since the internship requires completion of JMS 481. The units for the internship class, JMS 490B, will count toward your required 6 units of electives.
The other required courses for the major may be taken any time before you graduate.
What is an Allied Discipline Course?
An allied discipline is like a minor in that you will do coursework in a discipline outside of your major, but it is fewer units than a minor and will not show up on your diploma. You are required to complete 9 upper division units in one area. See the Allied Discipline flyer for lists of classes you can take.
One caveat: you are not allowed to take the allied discipline classes in management or marketing until you have achieved major status.
If you would like to do coursework in an area not on the approved list, you must get approval from the advising coordinator.
If I am an upper division student (60 units or more), are there any upper division classes required for my major I can take while I am still a premajor?
Yes. you may take JMS 375, 480, 489 ,494; 3 units selected from 300, 440, 460; 6 units of electives and you can start work on your allied discipline (except management or marketing, which require you to be in the major).
How do I find an Internship?
If you want to do a public relations internship, you should begin searching for one the semester prior to your final semester. You are responsible for finding your own internship; however, there is an internship directory.
The internship is an actual class for which you will need to register and you will receive up to 3 units for completing the internship class. You can not register for the class during the registration period; instead you will need to go to the first day of class to receive your add code. The internship class is offered every fall, spring, and summer session. If you have questions about the internships and/or to obtain the directory, contact Dr. Bey-Ling Sha. (insert link to her contact information)
Allied discipline courses
What are Allied Discipline Courses?
An allied discipline is like a minor in that you will do coursework in a discipline outside of your major, but it is fewer units than a minor and will not show up on your diploma. You are required to complete 9 upper division units in one area. See the Allied Discipline flyer for lists of classes you can take.
One caveat: you are not allowed to take the allied discipline classes in management or marketing until you have achieved major status.
If you would like to do coursework in an area not on the approved list, you must get approval from the advising coordinator.
Credit / No Credit Courses
Can I take my classes for CREDIT/NO CREDIT?
No. ANY class that counts for your major or minor must be taken for a grade, unless it is only offered as CR/NC (such as 490A).
GPA Requirements
Once I am signed into my major do I have to keep the required GPA?
No. Once you are signed into the major your GPA can drop to a 2.0. However, you must have a 2.0 in your major in order to graduate.
Internships
How do I find an internship?
If you want to do an advertising internship, you should begin searching for one during the fall semester of your senior year. You are responsible for finding your own internship; however, there is an internship directory available at the School of Journalism & Media Studies main office, PSFA 361.
The internship is an actual class for which you will need to register and you will receive up to 3 units for completing the internship class. You can not register for the class during the registration period; instead you will need to go to the first day of class to receive your add code. The internship class is offered every fall, spring, and summer session.
Returning Students
I left SDSU years ago and did not finish my degree. What do I do now?
Apply to graduate for the next semester; this will allow the university to assess what coursework you did, and what you need to do to satisfy the graduation requirements. Once you receive the Graduation Evaluation, you will work with the Graduation Evaluator and the Advising Coordinator. Contact the Advising Coordinator for help with this process.
Study abroad
I’m planning to study abroad and need to know what classes I can take at my host university that will count for my major.
You need to get the list of classes for the university you hope to attend and compare its course offerings with the classes you have left to take for your major at SDSU. Read through the descriptions for the “abroad” university and then read ours. Make notes of what you think is a similar class. Bring the required paperwork from the Study Abroad Office to Advising coordinator and your notes. Please plan ahead and do not wait until the day before the paperwork is due; this process may take some time.
Transfer credit
I took some classes at another college or university (or am planning to do so) and want to know if they’ll count for my major. What do I do?
First, try using the website: www.assist.org or TAP on your web portal. If you can’t find your answer there, then you need to get a copy of the syllabus for the class you took (or are planning to take) at the other university. Meet with the Advising Coordinator to discuss how to petition the coursework.
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