Undergraduate Program: Pre-Journalism Curriculum
Although LMU doesn't 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 majored or minored in English or Communication Studies, have taken advantage of a number of exciting LMU courses. These courses compose the LMU "Pre-Journalism Curriculum" and are particularly recommended for students who intend pursuing an M.A. or a Ph.D. in journalism, or who plan to work as journalists or who plan to freelance for newspapers or magazines. No student 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 country.
It is important to note that a working journalist often develops a specialization in a particular area, such as sports, entertainment, or environment. Content courses in these areas would, of course, be useful. The Pre-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.
Pre-journalism courses are offered by a variety of departments and colleges across the university, making the Pre-Journalism Curriculum truly interdisciplinary.
Additional Information
Students interested in assembling a Pre-Journalism Curriculum should review each semester's course offerings across the colleges, paying particular attention to special studies in courses focusing on journalistic issues, media topics, or related fields. Students may consult with Dr. Linda Bannister, Pre-Journalism advisor, to determine which special or new courses may be appropriate.
Note: Although there is no set sequence for taking pre-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 campus yearbook The Tower, and /or radio station KXLU.
A Pre-Journalism Curriculum Completion Certificate is available to those students who successfully complete (earning a C, 2.0, or better in each course) 18 units of approved pre-journalism course work. Bring transcript showing 18 units of accepted completed courses to Dr. Bannister at least two months prior to intended graduation.
English Courses- ENGL 301 Writing for Journalism
- ENGL 302 Writing the Article: Workshop
- ENGL 303 Writing for Business and Industry
- ENGL 304 Writing for Advertising
- ENGL 401 Writing for Journalism II: Workshop
- ENGL 402 Writing Internship in Media
- ENGL 403 Writing Workshop in Non-Fiction, Advanced
- ENGL 405 Literary Non-Fiction: Workshop
- ENGL 406 Journalism: The Interview: Workshop
- ENGL 408 Journalism: Editing Workshop
- ENGL 409 Journalism: Writing for the Internet: Workshop
- ENGL 463 The Essay
- ENGL 469 Practicum in Journalism I
- ENGL 470 Practicum in Journalism II
- ENGL 498 Creative Non-Fiction: New Journalism
- ENGL 562 Contemporary Rhetorical Theory
- ENGL 567 Style in Writing
- ENGL 574 Rhetoric and Media
- ENGL 575 The Art of Rhetoric
Political Science Courses- POLS 130 American Politics
- POLS 135 Contemporary American Politics
- POLS 332 Political Parties and Elections
- POLS 430 Campaign
- POLS 435 The Politics of California
- POLS 436 Politics of Los Angeles
Philosophy Courses- PHIL 320 Ethics
- PHIL 330 Contemporary Moral Problems