Magazine and Brand Media web page
The information on this page pertains to program requirements for students who matriculated in the 2023-2024 academic year. View requirements for previous catalog years here.
The magazine and brand media major prepares students to be magazine writers, editors and creative directors for print and online publications. As part of their coursework, students:
Unique to Drake: Drake is one of the few private, liberal arts colleges to provide a full four-year sequence for magazines. Many magazine and brand media majors also work outside of classes on the nationally award-winning Drake Magazine.
Accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Drake is among 115 accredited programs worldwide. To earn accreditation, schools meet 9 standards, which address such issues as class size, diversity, student services and curriculum. Accreditation reviews occur every 6 years. Drake's program has been continuously accredited, most recently in 2016.
Students should work with their advisers to ensure selection of courses best-suited to their educational and career objectives. Please see Graduation Requirements and Regulations sections of the catalog for additional information.
Required courses for the Magazine and Brand Media major are as follows:
| Course | Credits |
| School of Journalism and Mass Communication Core Courses | |
| JMC 030 - Mass Media in a Global Society | 3 |
| JMC 031 - Multimedia Lab | 1 |
| JMC 040 - Pre-Professional Workshop | 1 |
| JMC 041 - Financial Fundamentals for Communication Professionals | 1 |
| JMC 054 - Reporting and Writing Principles | 3 |
| JMC 055 - Digital Media Strategies | 3 |
| JMC 104 - Communication Law and Ethics | 3 |
| Area of Concentration - All SJMC majors must complete a 21-credit block of courses not offered within the SJMC. This block must be approved by the student's adviser and dean. At least 12 of these credits must be in courses numbered 100 or higher. Courses taken to satisfy requirements in other areas may also count toward this requirement. | 21 |
| Magazine and Brand Media Major Courses | |
| JMC 057 - Video Production | 3 |
| JMC 058 - Foundations of Visual Communication | 3 |
| JMC 070 - Media Editing | 3 |
|
JMC 105 - Web Content and Development, or JMC 195 - App Design |
3 |
| JMC 119 - Brand Media Planning | 3 |
| JMC 172 - Journalism Capstone | 3 |
| Select three of the following | |
| JMC 103 - Public Affairs Reporting | 3 |
| JMC 120 - Magazine Freelance Writing | 3 |
| JMC 161 - Advanced Magaine Staff Writing | 3 |
| JMC 168 - Advanced Reporting for Print and Online | 3 |
| JMC 173 - Reporting for TV & The Web | 3 |
| JMC Electives (advisor approval) | 3 |
| JMC TOTAL | 44 |
| TOTAL | 120 |
The magazine media minor provides students with an overview of how to tell meaningful stories, deliver reliable information and communicate effectively with an audience. Students gain experience in basic magazine writing and editing. Students also have the opportunity to select from several courses for magazine journalists including options such as web page design, video production, and feature writing.
Required courses for the Magazine Media minor are as follows:
| Course | Credits |
| JMC 054 - Reporting and Writing Principles | 3 |
| JMC 070 - Media Editing | 3 |
| JMC 104 - Communication Law and Ethics | 3 |
| JMC 119 - Brand Media Planning | 3 |
| JMC 055 - Digital Strategies | 3 |
| Upper-Level JMC Writing Elective (Choose One) | 3 |
| JMC 103 - Public Affairs Reporting | 3 |
| JMC 120 - Magazine Freelance Writing | 3 |
| JMC 161 - Magazine Staff Writing | 3 |
| JMC 168 - Advanced Reporting for Print and Online | 3 |
| TOTAL | 21 |
The information in this catalog does not constitute a contract between the university and the student. The university reserves the right to make changes in curricula, admission policies and processes, tuition and financial aid, academic standards and guidelines, student services and any other regulations or policies set forth in this catalog without giving prior notice.