B.S. Journalism

Large group of journalists with digital cameras.

Convergence and Traditions

Since 1936, SJSU's Journalism school has built a global reputation for developing aspiring reporters and editors into top-notch professionals. Silicon Valley employers prefer to hire our grads because of their well-rounded cross-plateform skills and strong, time-honored media ethics. JMC's lineup of student media outlets provides young journalists with venues to display and develop their talents in traditional, social and digital media.

Learn By Doing

Meet to discuss your internship planning and application follow‐up strategies. Bring your proposed internship job description printed out, with a fully completed and full signed Internship Agreement form plus a copy of your MySJSU transcript for final review and approval before receiving an add code for MCOM 111.

SJSU students majoring in Advertising, Journalism and Public Relations are required, as part of their degree program, to work a 240-hour professional internship. The company and location is selected by the student from a wide range of pre-approved traditional and new media opportunities.
Students must successfully complete prerequisite coursework in their majors, meet minimum grade point average requirements, and submit a completed Internship Agreement, signed by faculty advisors and on-site professional supervisors before the internship may be started. The school requires that internships be paid experiences, and the student be reimbursed at least the cost of registering for this academic credit experience.

Student progress during the internship is carefully monitored by school faculty and on-site supervisors. Examples of professional efforts generated by students (i.e. copies of news stories or clippings, online postings, press releases, tape productions, etc.) must be submitted to the school, during the internship, for review and evaluation. Post-internship supervisor evaluations are required.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communications is proud to report that SJSU students consistently receive the highest commendation for top-quality service in all professional media internships.

Program Learning Objectives (PLOs)

Our Program Learning Objectives (PLOs) for the journalism major are the overarching core values and student responsibilities that reflect San Jose State University, and the national accreditation standards established by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Our commitment to student success is showcased in our four Program Learning Objectives. The core PLOs for our Journalism undergraduate program:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the diversity of groups in a global society in relationship to communications.
  • Demonstrate the ability to think critically, creatively, and independently.
  • Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communication professions, audiences, and purposes they serve.
  • Demonstrate the ability to use tools and technologies appropriate for the communications profession in which they work.

Awards and Recognition

Our student media outlets have consistently been the pride of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications and recently they have been recognized as some of the best in the state and even among the best in the nation. SJSU student journalists have been honored for their investigative work as well as their art and design talents.

These awards give our students the recognition they deserve for their hard work and dedication, and give them the ability to put “award-winning journalist” on their resumes.

Full List of Student Awards

Degree Requirements

Degree Roadmap

The following road map is an advising tool that outlines the path of courses a student can take to complete requirements for graduation. This roadmap should be used in consultation with the catalog and your department to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums).