Why Journalism & Media Studies at SDSU?
Nationally and locally acclaimed programs
The School of Journalism & Media Studies at San Diego State University comprises four major areas of study: advertising, journalism, media studies, and public relations. Faculty members are nationally recognized for their scholarship and teaching. For example, two JMS public relations faculty members receive more citations by their peers than any other PR faculty in the world. Textbooks written by JMS faculty members are ranked No. 1 in the United States and are used in classrooms around the world. Collectively, the faculty has published hundreds of journal articles, book chapters, and books, as well as contributed articles and essays to newspapers, magazines, broadcast stations, and online publications.
With more than 50 years of history in San Diego, the School of Journalism & Media Studies has a strong local alumni base. For JMS students, this means solid ties to local businesses and access to potential employers. Loyalty among alumni is fierce, and many of them support the School by donating money, mentoring students, offering internships, and teaching classes.
When you become a part of the School of Journalism & Media Studies at SDSU, you enter a world of international prestige and national alumni networks.
Strong curriculum
The curriculum in the School of Journalism & Media Studies adheres to national standards, and even exceeds them in many cases. Admission to JMS majors is restricted to those students who meet standards that rank among the highest of all majors on campus. Once you get into one of the School’s four major areas of study (advertising, journalism, media studies, and public relations), you will find that your classes offer a unique combination of theory and practical applications.
Four cornerstones underlie the JMS curriculum. First, all classes integrate professional, ethical principles with course content. Second, students learn not only about advertising, journalism, public relations, and media in the United States; they also learn how these professions operate around the world. Third, JMS faculty members embrace new technologies in their teaching, and students have access to cutting-edge equipment for class needs. Finally, classes emphasize the need for students to be engaged in their communities. To that end, many JMS courses include service-learning components, which permit students to apply what they are learning in the classroom while performing service for their community.
In addition to the education you receive in JMS classrooms, you also have the opportunity to gain pre-professional experience through student clubs, including the Ad Club, the Radio/Television News Directors Association, the Public Relations Student Society of America, and the Society for Professional Journalists. Eligible students also may join the prestigious national honor society, Phi Beta Kappa, or the journalism honorary Kappa Tau Alpha.
Students also have the opportunity to work for campus media, including The Daily Aztec, a four-day-a-week newspaper; and KCR, a student-operated radio station.
Excellent preparation for your future
When you graduate from the rigorous programs in the School of Journalism & Media Studies, you will leave San Diego State University with an understanding of theoretical principles that form the bedrock of your major area of study. You also will leave with the concrete skills to apply those theoretical principles on the job in ways that are ethical, professional, and considerate of global aspects of these professions. Lastly, you will leave SDSU with a strong network of professional contacts. Your faculty mentors, community service-learning opportunities, regulated internship positions, and your participation in the many pre-professional student groups in the School will have nurtured these contacts.
With a degree from the School of Journalism & Media Studies, you can enter with confidence the professional worlds of advertising, journalism, public relations, and media. Many graduates also choose to continue their education and pursue a graduate degree in their major area. Others take their talents on to law schools or business schools.
Whatever path you choose for your future, you will always remain a JMS Aztec . . . a proud graduate of the School of Journalism & Media Studies at San Diego State University. You can stay in touch with your friends and other JMS alumni by joining the Friends of Journalism & Media Studies alumni group. For more information, link to http://www.sdsumediafriends.org.
Living in "America's Finest City"
California's second largest city and the United States' seventh largest, San Diego boasts a citywide population of nearly 1.3 million residents and more than 2.8 million residents countywide. Within its borders of 4,200 sq. miles, San Diego County encompasses 18 incorporated cities and numerous other charming neighborhoods and communities, including downtown's historic Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, Coronado, La Jolla, Del Mar, Carlsbad, Escondido, La Mesa, Hillcrest, Barrio Logan, Chula Vista just to name a few.
San Diego is renowned for its idyllic climate, 70 miles of pristine beaches and a dazzling array of world-class family attractions. Popular attractions include the world-famous San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, Sea World San Diego and LEGOLAND California. San Diego offers an expansive variety of things to see and do, appealing to guests of all ages from around the world.
San Diego's arts and culture and culinary arts are booming. The hottest, new culinary arts talents prepare award-winning meals throughout the regions 6,400 eating establishments. Balboa Park, the largest urban cultural park in the U.S., is home to 15 museums, numerous art galleries, beautiful gardens, the Tony Award-winning The Globe Theatres and the world-famous San Diego Zoo.
San Diego County also features 92 golf courses and a variety of exciting participatory and spectator sports, beachfront resorts and luxury spas, gaming, a dynamic downtown district, annual special events and unique holiday offerings, multicultural festivals and celebrations, colorful neighborhoods and communities, a rich military history and much more.
- Content from the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau
► Mission Statement
The Foundation: ethics, globalization, technology, community engagement.
► Quick Facts
Interesting facts about San Diego State's School of Journalism & Media Studies.
Visit the website of The Daily Aztec, San Diego State University's campus newspaper.