E. W. Scripps School of Journalism
Thomas Hodson, Director
Anne Cooper-Chen, Associate Director
Jan Slater, Associate Director
Bachelor of Science in Journalism
Ohio University's E. W. Scripps School of Journalism is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. It is one of a limited number of accredited schools and departments of journalism in the United States.Mission StatementThe E. W. Scripps School of Journalism is dedicated to the needs of its students; to excellence in teaching, advising, service, and research; and to leadership in journalism education. The school stresses the need for a liberal arts foundation combined with a professional education and practical experience for its students. The goals are to search for truth; to develop critical analysis, thinking, writing, and speaking abilities; and to enhance free, responsible, and effective expression of ideas.
To that end, the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism:
- stresses the importance of the First Amendment;
- fosters the highest standards of journalism ethics;
- prepares students to enter the journalism professions;
- provides a liaison between students and professionals;
- involves students and faculty in an extended University;
- values an international presence and perspective;
- attracts, nurtures, and retains a diverse group of outstanding students;
- expands scholarly activity to enhance the body of knowledge within journalism;
- supports a diverse faculty offering an array of contributions;
- offers an environment that equips students to live in a diverse world; and
- upholds the University mission of commitment to educational excellence through focus on the individual student.
The SchoolJournalism today is a profession--like medicine, law, teaching, or engineering. It requires its practitioners to be educated culturally and trained professionally. Blending the liberal arts with professional courses, Ohio University journalism students take approximately three-fourths of their courses outside the professional school.
Six sequences are offered, all leading to the Bachelor of Science in Journalism degree: advertising, magazine journalism, news writing and editing, public relations, broadcast news and online journalism.
While there is overlap between journalism and telecommunications in broadcast news career preparation, students interested in being news writers, reporters, and anchors should enroll in the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism, and students interested in studio and field production should enroll in the School of Telecommunications.
Media Practice
A basic philosophy of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism is that students should get media experience while working toward their degrees. Experience is available on a laboratory magazine, Southeast Ohio;on a community Web site, Athensi.com;and on a daily laboratory news broadcast, Athens MidDay.Information gathering, graphics, and advertising laboratories also offer practical experience.
Many students add to their experience by writing for and editing The Post,the independent daily campus newspaper; the Athena,the University yearbook; or The Ohio Journalist,the school's alumni publication. Some also serve on the staffs of local newspapers. Work might include gathering and writing news and features; editing local and wire copy; writing headlines; and preparing layouts.
In broadcast news, students can get practical experience preparing and broadcasting news over WOUB AM, FM, and TV, the University's radio and television stations, and over the local cable television system.
Online journalism opportunities are available for students through virtually any department or agency on campus or in the community, since most have active Web sites.
Advertising and public relations students gain practical experience through internships with agencies, corporations, hospitals, charitable groups, newspapers, magazines, and broadcast stations. Students serve in public relations capacities with University and community organizations.
With increased media use of computers and the Internet, many employers are seeking graduates who can write and design materials for the World Wide Web. The E.W. Scripps School of Journalism provides courses in Web page design and reporting to help students develop the skills necessary for Internet-based journalism careers.
Internship ProgramConsistent with its policy of combining classwork with practical training, the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism offers an internship program to qualified students. Many of these internships are developed by sudents. The period of internship typically is 10 weeks. Interns are provided with as varied hands-on experience in media-related organizations as possible and may be paid. Internship opportunities are located throughout the nation and abroad.
Admission RequirementsThe E. W. Scripps School of Journalism admits only the best academically and professionally qualified freshmen who normally rank in the top 15 percent of their high school class and meet minimum standardized test score requirements. Students with a lower class ranking will be considered if they have outstanding SAT or ACT scores. Students demonstrating notable talent or experience and members of historically underrepresented groups will be given special consideration.
Transfer StudentsThe following policy has been established by the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism as a means of selecting the best qualified students for the program. The academic quality of the curriculum depends in part on maintaining enrollment at a number that may be effectively served by our faculty. The school is dedicated to top-quality instruction, and this policy is one means through which that goal is achieved.
- Approximately 40 transfer students will be accepted annually into the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism.
- Transfer students from within or outside Ohio University will be considered only when they have at least 48 quarter hours (32 semester hours) with a minimum 3.0 g.p.a.
- In addition to grades, consideration will be given to test scores, journalism grades, journalism experience or background in a program offered by the school (professional or college), test scores, letters of recommendation, personal statements of intent, and work samples.
- You may apply for transfer using the school's Application for Transfer form which is on the school's website ( https://scrippsjschool.org/ .)
- Official transcripts, letters, and other supporting documents must be attached to the Application for Transfer at the time of its submission.
- Transfer applications are accepted twice during the academic year - no later than October 1 for transfer in Winter quarter and March 1 for transfer in Fall quarter. Application for transfer can bae made only once per academic year. Applications must be received by the above dates. Late applications will not be considered.
- A special faculty committee will conduct evaluations and recommendations. The school's Director and Associate Director will make final decisions.
- If the transfer application is denied, there is a process of appeal. This will be explained at the time of notification of the initial denial for transfer. Provisional admittance may be granted under certain circumstances.
Curricula and RequirementsThe Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication includes among its accrediting standards the following provision: generally, three-fourths of the student's program should consist of courses in the liberal arts and sciences and one-fourth in professional courses in journalism.
Journalism students at Ohio University meet the above provision by fulfilling two sets of requirements: general, which are followed by all students, and specialized, which are chosen by the student with the guidance of an advisor.
General RequirementsPolitical Science (2 qtrs)
Sociology and/or Anthropology (2 qtrs)
Economics (2 qtrs)
Psychology (1 qtr) (except PSY 120)
History (2 qtrs)
English (2 qtrs)
Statistics (1 qtr) (from approved school list)
Philosophy (2 qtrs) (one must be PHIL 120 or320)
Foreign Language (3 qtrs basic sequence or1 qtr advanced) orNatural Science (3 qtrs as approved by advisor)
Comparative Arts/Fine Arts (nonperformance courses) (2 qtrs) orAfrican American and/ orWomen's Studies (2 qtrs)
Speech (1 qtr) COMS 103
Specialization AreaThe specialization area must be approved by an advisor. Students may choose one of four options:
- A minimum of 36 hours in a single department within the College of Arts and Sciences (usually structured in accordance with the major requirements of the selected department).
- A minimum of 18 approved hours in each of two departments in Arts and Sciences.
- A minimum of 18 approved hours in one Arts and Sciences department and 18 advisor-approved hours in any other series of related courses.
- A minimum of 20 approved hours in one Arts and Sciences department and 16 advisor-approved hours in any other series of related courses.
Any courses defined as professional cannot be used as specialization courses.
Additional nonjournalism courses are required in some sequences. No course may be counted in more than one type of requirement. For example, a course used to meet a general requirement may not be applied to a sequence or specialization area requirement as well.
Hours RequirementTo assure the liberal emphasis of the overall program, the nonprofessional content of the B.S.J. must be a minimum of 128 quarter hours of the 192 required for the degree. Minimum professional hours required is 45 quarter hours. Professional hours are defined as credits in journalism, visual communication, telecommunication, or photography. Nonjournalism courses required in sequences may be counted as nonprofessional hours.
Standards
- To qualify for admission to JOUR 231, you must achieve at least 25 words per minute on a typing examination. This exam is administered on the first day of the JOUR 231 class.
- To remain active in the B.S.J. program, you must earn at least a C in all core courses.
- No core course may be taken more than twice.
Journalism SequencesAll journalism majors complete a basic 22-hour core of six courses: A grade of C or better is required in all core courses. Precision Language may be waived in some instances.
JOUR 133 or 133A Precision Language 4 JOUR 221 Graphics 5 JOUR 231 or 231A News Writing 4 JOUR 233 Information Gathering 3 JOUR 411 Communication Law 3 JOUR 412 Ethics, Mass Media & Soc. 3JOUR 105 Introduction to Mass Communication, a freshman course, is optional and not a required course for journalism majors.
Additional requirements for the various sequences are as follows:
Advertising Management
Major code BJ6932
JOUR 250 Advertising Principles 4 JOUR 340 Advertising Strageties 4 JOUR 375 Advert. Media Planning and Buying 4 JOUR 450 Advert. Copy Writing 3 JOUR 482 Advertising Management 4 JOUR 486 Advertising Campaigns 5 MKT 202 Marketing Principles 4 Advisor-approved internship required. Recommended electives:JOUR 321 Print Advertising and Layout 4 JOUR 476 Advertising Research 4 JOUR 475 Adv. Advertising, Media Planning and Buying 4 JOUR 477 Promotional Media 4
Broadcast News
Major code BJ6936
JOUR 350 Radio Broadcast News 4
JOUR 352 TV Broadcast News 4
JOUR 353 Broadcast News Prac.
or approved internship 2
JOUR 452 Broadcast News Producing 4
JOUR 455 Seminar in Broadcast News 3
JOUR 458 TV News Practice 4
JOUR 459 Advanced TV News Practice 3
JOUR 464 Reporting Public Affairs 3
Journalism electives to make 45 or more hours
Magazine Journalism
Major code BJ6933
JOUR 430 Mag. Editing and Prod. 4 JOUR 431 Mag. Practice 3 JOUR 441 Mag. Feature Writing 4 Select four advisor-approved electives; additional electives as desired. Recommended electives are:JOUR 311 History of Journalism 4 JOUR 331 Reporting Contemporary Issues 3 JOUR 333 News Editing 4 JOUR 363 Review and Criticism 3 JOUR 407 Electronic Publishing 4 JOUR 418 Web Editing 3 JOUR 431 Mag, Practice, second time 3 JOUR 432 Specialized Bus. Mags. 3 JOUR 435 Advanced Editing 3 JOUR 442 Adv. Feature Writing 3 JOUR 464 Reporting Public Affairs 3 JOUR 466 International Media 4 JOUR 467 Foreign Correspondence 4 JOUR 468 Column Writing 3 JOUR 479 Computer Assisted Reptg. 3
News Writing and Editing
Major code BJ6934
JOUR 311 Hist. of Am. Journalism 4 JOUR 331 Reporting Contemp. Issues 3 JOUR 333 News Editing 4 JOUR 332 Reporting Practicum 2 and JOUR 334 Editing Practicum 2 orapproved internship JOUR 464 Reporting Public Affairs 3 Select two of the following:JOUR 350 Radio Broadcast News 4 JOUR 363 Review and Criticism 3 JOUR 441J Mag. Feature Writing 4 JOUR 442 Adv. Mag. Feature Writing 3 JOUR 465 Editorial Page 3 JOUR 468 Column Writing 3 JOUR 470 Sportswriting 3 Journalism electives to make 45 or more hours
Online Journalism
Major code BJ6909
JOUR 314 Online J. Fundamentals 3 JOUR 333 News Editing 4 JOUR 415 Online J. Practice 3 JOUR 416 Online J. Seminar 3 Advisor-approved internship Select one of the following:JOUR 418 Web Editing 3 JOUR 419 Online Legal Issues 3 JOUR 479 Computer Assisted Rptg. 3 VICO 361 Intro Web Design 4 Select two advisor-approved electives; additional electives as desired. Recommended electives are:JOUR 250 Advertising Principles 4 JOUR 270 Intro to Public Relations 3 JOUR 331 Reporting Contemp. Issues 3 JOUR 350 Radio Broadcast News 4 JOUR 407 Electronic Publishing 4 JOUR 430 Mag. Editng and Prod. 4 JOUR 435 Advanced Editing 3 JOUR 464 Reporting Public Affairs 3 JOUR 466 International Media 4 VICO 462 Adv. Web Design 4
Public Relations
Major code BJ6935
JOUR 270 Intro to Public Relations 3 JOUR 333 News Editing 4 JOUR 370 Media Relations and Publicity 4 JOUR 471 PR Principles 4 JOUR 472 Advanced PR 4 Advisor-approved internship Select three advisor-approvrd electives; additional electives as desired. Recommende electives are:JOUR 250 Advertising Principles 4 JOUR 314 Online J. Fundamentals 3 JOUR 321 Advertising Layout 4 JOUR 331 Reporting Contemp. Issues 3 JOUR 350 Radio Broadcast News 4 JOUR 407 Electronic Publishing 4 JOUR 418 Web Editing 3 JOUR 430 Mag. Editing and Prod. 4 JOUR 432 Specialized Bus. Mags. 3 JOUR 435 Advanced Editing 3 JOUR 441 Mag. Feature Writing 4 JOUR 442 Adv. Article Writing 3 JOUR 464 Reporting Public Affairs 3 JOUR 470 Sportswriting 3
Carr Van Anda Program
If you are a junior with a 3.0 accumulative g.p.a. in all work, you may elect a sequence making up your own program in journalism: the basic core of six courses plus your choice of journalism courses to equal 45 or more hours. The program must have the approval of your advisor and the director of the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism. Formal application is necessary.
(https://www.ohio.edu/catalog/04-05/colleges/jour.htm) on September 1, 2004.
Athens, OH 45701
(740) 593-1000