Journalism Certificate at LMU 2012-2013
Although LMU doesn’t yet offer a Journalism major or minor, a large number of LMU graduates have gone on to successful careers or graduate work in Journalism. These students, who have often majored or minored in English, Communication Studies, or Business have taken advantage of a number of exciting LMU courses. (Note: Some of the courses you take for the Certificate may also be counted toward your Major or Minor in English, Communication Studies or your Core.) These courses make up the LMU “Journalism Certificate” and are particularly recommended for students who intend pursuing a Masters or Ph.D. in Journalism, or who plan to work as a Freelance journalist, PR or Advertising professional, in corporate communications, for a newspaper or magazine or on various new media platforms. No students need complete all of the courses listed below, but a healthy sampling will stand a future journalist in good stead and will assist in admission to most graduate programs in journalism across the county. The “certificate” appears as a line on the student’s final transcript, and may be referenced in a student’s resumé. (You will not receive a frameable certificate from the Registrar.)
It is important to note that a working journalist often develops a specialization in a particular area, such as sports, entertainment, or politics. Elective courses in these areas would, of course, be useful. The Journalism Curriculum includes Political Science courses specifically since local, state and national politics have an impact on most news, and politics is considered an important working knowledge base for any journalist. Ethics coursework from the Philosophy Department is also included as ethics are a concern at the forefront of a career in Journalism. Interdisciplinary Applied Programs contributes a selection of PR and media coursework. Generally students may elect one course from PHIL, or one course from POLS, or one course from IDAP courses listed. Five (5) Journalism Certificate courses must be selected from the English courses listed. In some cases where students have other experience as a journalist, an additional IDAP or other course may be approved, dropping the total of English/Journalism required courses to four (4). Some students will take all six courses from the Journalism/English courses listed. Consult Dr. Bannister to make sure your program fulfills the certificate requirements.
Eligible Courses: Journalism Certificate
English Department Courses
□ ENGL 301 Writing for Journalism I: Workshop
□ ENGL 302 Writing the Article: Workshop
□ ENGL 304 Writing for Advertising
□ ENGL 381 SS: Journalism and New Media
□ ENGL 401 Writing for Journalism II: Workshop
□ ENGL 402 Writing Internship in Media
□ ENGL 403 Writing Workshop in Non-Fiction: Adv.
□ ENGL 405 Literary Non-Fiction: Workshop
□ ENGL 406 Journalism: The Interview: Workshop
□ ENGL 407 Reviewing the Arts
□ ENGL 408 Journalism: Editing Workshop
□ ENGL 460 From Hard News to Blogs: Post-1800 Journalism
□ ENGL 463 The Art of the Essay
□ ENGL 469 Practicum in Journalism I
□ ENGL 470 Practicum in Journalism II
□ ENGL 498 SS: Creative Non-Fiction/ Magic Journalism
□ ENGL 498 Writing the Feature
□ ENGL 498 Publishing a Journal
□ ENGL 498 Journalism and Society
□ ENGL 498 Writing the Moment: New Media
□ ENGL 498 Journalism: Telling L.A.’s Story
□ ENGL 498 Journalism: The Age of Content
□ ENGL 562 Contemporary Rhetorical Theory
□ ENGL 567 Style in Writing
□ ENGL 574 Rhetoric and the Media
□ ENGL 575 The Art of Rhetoric
Interdisciplinary Applied Programs (previously INDA, Interdisciplinary Arts and Media)
□ IDAP 300 Principles of Public Relations
□ IDAP 320 Broadcast Writing
□ IDAP 330 Broadcast News Production
□ IDAP 340 Video Production for Public Relations
□ IDAP 398 Writing for Public Relations
□ IDAP 398 Introduction to Social Media
□ IDAP 498 Public Relations Strategies
□ IDAP 498 Advertising Principles and Strategies
Philosophy Department Courses
□ PHIL 330 Contemporary Moral Problems
□ PHIL 328 Media Ethics
Political Science Department Courses
□ POLS 135 American Politics
□ POLS 332 Campaigns and Elections
□ POLS 339 Media and Politics
□ POLS 385 Political Films and Media
□ POLS 423 Political Rhetoric
□ POLS 435 The Politics of California
□ POLS 436 Politics of Los Angeles
Selecting Courses
Students interested in assembling a Journalism Curriculum should review each semester’s course offerings across the colleges, paying particular attention to special studies courses focusing on journalistic issues, media topics, or related fields. Students may consult with Dr. Linda Bannister, Journalism Certificate Advisor, (lbannist@lmu.edu, 310.338.2854, UH3875), to determine which special or new courses may be appropriate. The Journalism Certificate eligible courses offered by the College of Communication and Fine Arts, (IDAP courses) may require the permission of Dr. Dean Scheibel, Director, Interdisciplinary Applied Programs. (dscheibel@lmu.edu)
Note: Although there is no set sequence for taking Journalism courses, some of the above listed courses may carry prerequisite courses that must be completed first. Students interested in Journalism are also strongly advised to participate in LMU’s award-winning student newspaper The Los Angeles Loyolan, The Tower Yearbook, The ROAR Network, and/or The Marymount Institute Press.
Obtaining the Journalism Certificate
A Journalism Certificate can be issued to the student who successfully completes 18 units of approved Journalism coursework (earning a C [2.0] or better in each course). The bulk of the student’s curriculum, at least 5 of 6 courses selected, generally should consist of writing courses from the Journalism coursework offered by the English Department. Students should bring a transcript (unofficial is fine) with name, email address and ID number written on it and showing 18 units of accepted, completed coursework to Dr. Linda Bannister in UH3875 at least one month prior to intended graduation with appropriate courses highlighted. Notice of Certificate approval will be forwarded by email to the Registrar and to the student by Dr. Bannister. Students who seek a certificate can be advised on how to create a program that focuses on their area of interest; for example, political reporting, sports reporting, electronic media, etc.
Note: this certificate program is not a major or a minor. No application or Change of Major/Minor paperwork from the Registrar is required. You need only email your interest to Dr. Bannister to sign up. Get on Our Mailing List ASAP to Learn of Journalism Events on Campus. Email your contact info (email, cell, mailing address) and student ID to Dr. Bannister at lbannist@lmu.edu