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UW-Milwaukee - Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

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Program Requirements

In Fall 2008, revised JMC major and minor requirements will take effect and a number of new courses will be offered. Some courses taught prior to Fall 2008 are being eliminated, re-named, or re-numbered and some will have modified prerequisites. Here are the new JMC requirements.

If you declared a JMC major or a minor prior to Fall 2008, you can use the department's previous requirements for graduation (which may be met by a combination of old and new courses) by following these instructions.

Students who entered the U.W. System prior to Fall 2008 may follow the JMC major or minor requirements in effect prior to Fall 2008 as long as they formally declare the major or minor within five years of the date they entered.

Requirements in Effect Prior to Fall 2008 for
Declaring and Completing the JMC Major and Minor

Note: New procedures for declaring the JMC major and minor will take effect after August 22, 2008. See below.

Declaring the Major

  1. Earn at least a B in JMC 101 (Introduction to Mass Media) and at least a B in JMC 201 (Media Writing).
  2. Have at least 15 credits on your transcript with at least a 2.5 GPA in all credits taken at UWM.
  3. Visit the departmental office, Johnston 117, to fill out a declaration form and meet with a departmental advisor.
  4. No one may declare a JMC major during the week before the start of or the first two weeks of the spring and fall semesters.

Completing the Major

To graduate with a major in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication major, students must complete the following requirements:

  1. Successfully complete at least 36 credits in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, including the premajor courses (JMC 101 and 201), with a grade point average in JMC of at least 2.5.
  2. Successfully complete the department's senior seminar, JMC 661 (Seminar in Mass Communication and Society).
  3. Fulfill the requirements of at least one of the following submajors:
  4. Successfully complete JMC 559 (Law of Mass Communication).
  5. Successfully complete at least 18 credits in JMC courses numbered 300 or above (including JMC 559 and JMC 661).
  6. Successfully complete at least 12 credits numbered 300 or above in a single department, certificate or program other than the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Declaring the Minor

To be eligible to declare a minor in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication (JMC), a student must:

  1. Earn at least a B in JMC 101 (Introduction to Mass Media) and at least a B in JMC 201 (Media Writing).
  2. Have at least 15 credits on the transcript with at least a 2.5 GPA in all credits taken at UWM.
  3. Visit the departmental office, Johnston 117, to fill out a declaration form and meet with a departmental advisor.
  4. No one may declare a JMC minor during the week before the start of or the first two weeks of the spring and fall semesters.

Completing the Minor

To complete the minor in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, students must earn at least 18 credits in JMC courses. In addition to JMC 101 and 201, which are required to declare the minor, students must also complete JMC 661 (Seminar in Mass Communication and Society). At least six other credits must be earned in courses numbered 300 or above.

JMC Major or Minor Declaration Process In Effect After August 22, 2008:

  1. Applications for admission to the JMC major and minor are received by the JMC office in 117 JOH between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. from the third Monday through the fifth Friday of the fall and spring semesters. Applications mailed and postmarked by 4 p.m. on the fifth Friday of a semester also will be accepted.
  2. Students are eligible to apply if they meet all of the following criteria:
    1. They have at least 24 credits on the transcript, excluding CLEP credits and retroactive foreign-language credits. These 24 credits must include at least 12 credits taken in residence at UWM unless the applicant has completed a bachelor's degree and is seeking an additional major or degree.
    2. They have passed the required JMC pre-major courses (JMC 101 and JMC 201).
  3. Applicants are required to submit:
    1. A completed application form (available from the JMC office) containing contact information (phone number, UWM email address, and mailing address) and indicating the minor or intended sub-major/concentration in the major;
    2. A current UWM transcript (official or unofficial);
    3. A current resume;
    4. A 500-word written statement outlining their academic interests, career goals, experience related to journalism, communication, media or related areas, and any other factors they believe may be relevant to the decision about admission to the major or minor.
  4. Before registration for the next semester, applicants will receive an admissions notification sent to their UWM e-mail addresses. Students offered admission to the major or minor will be required to complete declaration of major or minor forms in the JMC office and to meet with a faculty advisor within two weeks of the date of the e-mail. Those who do not complete the forms and meet with an advisor forfeit admission. The notification message will describe an appeals process for students denied admission.

Frequently Asked Questions: New JMC Admissions Process

For more information, contact Stephanie King, undergraduate studies.