Welcome to the School of Journalism and Mass Communication!

Did You Know?
Prejournalism majors spend the first two to four semesters at CU-Boulder enrolled in arts and sciences core curriculum and elective courses. After admission to the school, students enroll in the journalism courses required for their major. Most of the journalism courses are taken during the junior and senior years.

We're glad of your interest in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC). Please read the information below and then follow the instructions for registering for orientation.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication offers the bachelor of science degree in journalism from one of five sequences: advertising, broadcast news, broadcast production, news-editorial, and media studies. Prospective students apply to the SJMC as second semester freshmen (or later) and begin at CU-Boulder typically in the College of Arts and Sciences as prejournalism and mass communication majors.

Incoming freshmen are usually pre-registered for JOUR 1001 Contemporary Mass Media, one of the two required courses for admission. In a subsequent semester, students must register for the other required course, JOUR 2403 Principles of Advertising if they are going to apply to advertising or JOUR 2601 Principles of Journalism if they are going to apply to broadcast news, broadcast production, or news-editorial (media studies applicants may take either).

Requirements for application to SJMC more

  1. Be a current CU-Boulder student
  2. A minimum of 30 semester hours, completed or in progress including at least 12 hours completed at CU-Boulder.
  3. Progress toward completion of arts and sciences core.
  4. JOUR 1001 Contemporary Mass Media and JOUR 2402 Principles of Advertising or JOUR 2601 Principles of Journalism completed or in progress at time of application.
  5. An overall grade point average of at least 2.25 in completed course work and an average of at least 2.50 in JOUR courses (completed and/or in progress).
  6. Written essay — the guidelines are determined by the sequence to which the student is applying.

Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. The application process is competitive and admission is weighted toward the grade point average and written essay in addition to the minimum hours, core, and course requirements.

When to Apply more

Spring Semester: No later than February 20 for admission the following fall semester.

Fall Semester: No later than October 1 for admission the following spring semester.

Differences between Precommunication and Prejournalism more

Journalism

The Department of Communication in the College of Arts and Sciences offers a major in communication. Students entering arts and sciences declare precommunication, and after meeting prerequisites, can apply for admission to the department of communication.

The major in communication leads to the bachelor of arts (BA) degree. Courses offered within the major include interaction skills, public speaking, interpersonal communication, organizational communication, argumentation, rhetorical theory, communication theory, and communication and society, among many others.

Prejournalism majors are preparing to apply to the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Once admitted, and upon successful completion of the program, they receive a bachelor of science (BS) in journalism, with emphasis in one of the five sequences; advertising, broadcast news, broadcast production, news-editorial, or media studies.

Both Precommunication and Prejournalism students (PRJR) begin their career in the College of Arts and Sciences. Journalism Undecided students (JRUD) begin their career in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. These majors take part in an orientation coordinated with the College of Arts and Sciences.

Prejournalism and directly admitted Journalism students attend orientation along with the College of Arts and Sciences, but will meet with advisors from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

arrow   Begin your registration for orientation.
(You'll register along with the Arts and Sciences students.)