Open to all Majors and Minors, 18 units

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  other  majors  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.  A Journalism Certificate at LMU offers maximum flexibility as no specific courses are required. 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. A total of 18 units is required to earn the certificate.  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 298       Language of Journalism

□ ENGL 301     Writing for Journalism I: Workshop

□ ENGL 302     Writing the Article: Workshop

□ ENGL 304     Writing for Advertising

□ ENGL 381     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     SS: 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 566     Metaphor: Theory and Practice

□ ENGL 562     Contemporary Rhetorical Theory

□ ENGL 567     Style in Writing

□ ENGL 574     Rhetoric and the Media

□ ENGL 575     The Art of Rhetoric

□ ENGL 598     SS: Pazz and Jop: Writing Music Criticism

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  310     Writing for Public Relations

□ IDAP  400     Introduction to Social Media

□ IDAP  370     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