The information on this page pertains to program requirements for students who matriculated in the 2019-2020 academic year. View requirements for previous catalog years here.
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication (B.A.J.M.C.) with a major in News
As News majors, students gain knowledge and multimedia skills needed for careers in reporting, editing, management or publishing, in print and online.
Graduates work on publication staffs, in the news and production departments of other news media and agencies, in public information positions and in website editing positions.
Approximately 70 students are enrolled in the major. Average class size is 15 students.
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 2011.
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 News major are as follows:
| Course | Credits |
| School of Journalism and Mass Communication Core Courses | |
| INTD 025 - Bulldog Foundations | 1 |
| 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 059 - Introduction to Visual Communication | 3 |
| JMC 104 - Communication Law and Ethics | 3 |
| POLS 001 - American Political System | 3 |
| SCSS XXX - | 3 |
| Non-SJMC courses - Select 72 credits of courses not offered within the SJMC. At least 48 of those credits must come from the College of Arts & Sciences and must include POLS 001 and one course in sociology (SCSS). ECON 002, ECON 010, STAT 040, STAT 050, STAT 060, STAT 071, entrepreneurship (ENTR), and Health Sciences (HSCI) count as Arts & Sciences credit. At least 40 credits must be in courses numbered 100 or higher. | 80 |
| 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 |
| News Major Courses | |
| HIST 076 - America from 1877 to Present | 3 |
| JMC 063 - Video for Journalists | 3 |
| JMC 070 - Media Editing | 3 |
| JMC 098 - Advanced Reporting | 3 |
| JMC 103 - Public Affairs Reporting | 3 |
| JMC 105 - Web Page Design | 3 |
| JMC 172 - Journalism Capstone | 3 |
| JMC Electives - select with advisor | 6-8 |
| TOTAL | 124 |
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.