Major code BJ6907

Scripps College of Communication
E. W. Scripps School of Journalism
200 Schoonover Center for Communication
20 E. Union St.
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.2590
Fax: 740.593.2592
http://www.scrippsjschool.org
info@scrippsjschool.org

Eddith Dashiell, Ph.D., Associate Director for Undergraduate Studies, contact person

Program Overview

The strategic communication track replaces two previous sequences of advertising and public relations, recognizing the close alignment between these two professions in today’s communications industries. The strategic communication track responds to changes in the journalism world in which print and digital media are converging and communication professionals are expected to have skills in a wide variety of traditional, digital and social media. This program gives students the ability to study in-depth the joint role of advertising and public relations in communicating topics and issues to target audiences as part of a solid liberal arts education.

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

The E.W. Scripps School of Journalism strives to admit the best academically and professionally qualified freshmen. The school considers the following criteria in granting admission:

·  Strength of high school curriculum
·  Performance in high school curriculum
·  High school class rank (if your class ranks)
·  High school grade point average
·  ACT and/or SAT scores

Students demonstrating notable talent or experience, as well as applicants from historically underrepresented populations, are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants are encouraged to include in their application essay information about all media-related experience, as well as participation in the school’s High School Journalism Workshop, if applicable.

Instead of reporting minimum test scores and GPA requirements, we report the middle 50% range to give a more accurate picture of the students who we are admitting. Our incoming freshmen class will be made up of students who are in the top 25% with higher scores as well as students in the lower 25% with lower scores. See the university-wide profile for comparison. For example, the middle 50% of the school’s admitted freshman classes for the fall of 2012 and 2013 had:

·  High school class rank: top 7-34%
·  ACT composite scores: 24-28
·  SAT composite scores (Math + Critical Reading): 1050-1250
·  High school grade point average: 3.64 (4.0 scale)

NOTE:  Students who attended our High School Journalism Workshop and earned Ohio University credit should indicate on the freshman application that they previously attended Ohio University (they should use the traditional application for incoming freshmen, despite the credit hour earned as a high school students).  

Change of Program Policy

Students seeking to change their major to journalism must follow the same requirements as external transfer applicants.

External Transfer Admission

The requirements for transfer apply to all transfers from other departments at Ohio University as well as from other colleges and universities.

1. Transfer applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall or a 3.0 in the last two semesters (three quarters) to be considered for admission. Please note that a 3.0 qualifies a student only for consideration and does not guarantee admission.
2. Transfer applicants must have completed a minimum of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) by the time of application.
3. Applications for transfer are taken twice per academic year. The deadline of 5 p.m. September 28 (or the following Monday if on a weekend) is for admission for spring semester. The deadline of 5 p.m. February 15 (or the following Monday if on a weekend) is for admission for the following fall semester.

Applicants will receive written notification of acceptance or denial. The transfer application includes completing an application form and providing a college transcript or DARS, letters of recommendation, essay and optional writing samples.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

Students are prepared for careers in advertising and public relations, including social media. Opportunities include work at private firms, nonprofit-sector organizations, and agencies such as advertising, interactive, public relations, branding, direct marketing and promotional agencies. The program also prepares students for graduate programs in mass communication.

Requirements