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.

Curriculum

The School of Journalism & Media Studies envisions a global society where citizens are engaged in their communities; where media professionals are ethical and committed to social justice, and embrace technology to serve the public good; and where people from all backgrounds think critically about the media. The School’s curricula reflect these very important themes. Students are required to take a set of core classes in global communication and technology, ethics and law, and research methods for professional communicators. They also complement their in-class work with internships and service-learning projects in the community

►Undergraduate Curricula
►Graduate Curricula

Course descriptions

Follow the links below for information about the School of Journalism & Media Studies' course offerings.

►Undergraduate Courses
►Graduate Courses

Undergraduate admissions

SDSU provides comprehensive web support for undergraduate applicants, including information on application procedures, housing, scholarships and financial aid. First-time freshmen should follow this link for Freshmen Applicants. Students with more than 60 transferable semester units (90 quarter units) are considered upper-division transfers and should follow this link for Transfer Students. Information for International Students and students interested in a Second Bachelor's Degree is also available.

►Admissions procedures

Graduate admissions

Graduate programs at the School of Journalism & Media Studies offer advanced studies for individuals seeking additional knowledge of advertising, public relations, journalistic practices, emerging communication technologies, or the impact of mass communication practices on individuals, groups and society as a whole. The programs of study are appropriate for individuals who seek a career in the applied communication fields (journalism, advertising, public relations), who wish to pursue careers involving new media communication industries, who wish to teach at the community college level or who wish to continue studies of mass communication and media at the doctoral level.

►Admissions requirements
►Step-by-step admissions procedures
►Let us know you are applying

► Areas of Study
Explore the School of Journalism & Media Studies undergraduate and graduate programs.

► Living in "America's Finest City"
With incredible weather, miles of gleaming beaches, and world class recreation, San Diego truly lives up to its nickname.

► Activities
From clubs and publications to internships and study abroad programs, JMS students have plenty of opportunities to enrich their educations.

Campus Tours
Selecting a college environment in which you feel comfortable is important to your success as a student. SDSU invites prospective students and their families to see and experience SDSU for themselves by taking a campus tour.

As part of the NCAA Division I, San Diego State University has nationally competitive athletic teams. Check out what the Aztecs are doing this season.
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