Undergraduate Program
- JMC Major and Minor Requirements
- Admission to the JMC Major and Minor
UWM Schedule of Classes
Fall
UWinteriM
Spring
Summer
JMC Major and Minor Requirements
Note: The requirements listed here became effective in Fall 2008. Students who declared the major or minor before August 23, 2008, or who entered the U.W. System prior to Fall 2008 may use previous requirements.
Requirements for Completing the JMC Major
- Successfully complete at least 39 credits in Journalism and Media Communication-including both JMC 101: Introduction to Mass Media and JMC 201: Media Writing-with a grade point average of at least 2.5 in JMC courses.
- Pass the senior seminar, JMC 661: Seminar in Media Communication and Society.
- Pass JMC 559: Law of Mass Communication.
- Pass at least 24 credits in JMC courses numbered 300 or above (including JMC 559 and 661).
- Complete the requirements of one of the following three concentrations:
- Strategic Communication Concentration
JMC 207: Introduction to Strategic Communication
JMC 307: Strategic Communication Writing and Production
JMC 505: Research for Strategic Communication
JMC 524: Strategic Communication Campaigns
- Journalism/Documentary Concentration
JMC 204: Integrated Reporting
JMC 604: Advanced Integrated Reporting
And the two classes in one of the following three areas:
Print Journalism
- JMC 320: Print and Online News
- JMC 500: Advanced Reporting
Broadcast Journalism
- JMC 342: TV News Reporting
- JMC 544: TV News Management
Documentary
- JMC 332: Introduction to Digital Documentary
- JMC 532: Documentary Production
- Media Studies Concentration
JMC 262: Principles of Media Studies
JMC 562: Media Studies and Culture
And one course in each of the following two areas:
Media Production Elective (at least one of the following):
- JMC 204: Integrated Reporting
- JMC 231: Publication Design
- JMC 232: Photojournalism
- JMC 306: Feature and Magazine Writing
- JMC 307: Strategic Communication Writing and Production
- JMC 336: Media Graphics
- JMC 504: Critical and Opinion Writing
- JMC 602: Specialized Reporting
Media Studies Elective (at least one of the following):
- JMC 356: Media Literacy
- JMC 360: History of Mass Media
- JMC 361: Media Ethics
- JMC 450: Race, Ethnicity and Media
- JMC 614: Mass Media and Public Opinion
- JMC 615: Mass Media and Politics
- JMC 620: Global Media Systems
- JMC 645: Health and the Media
- JMC 659: Comparative Media Law
Students who complete the JMC major (and fulfill requirements of the College of Letters and Science) will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Media Communication.
Requirements for Completing the JMC Minor
To complete the JMC minor, students must earn at least 18 credits in JMC courses (including JMC 101: Introduction to Mass Media and JMC 201: Media Writing). At least 9 of the credits must be earned in courses numbered 300 or above. Students must achieve a grade point average of at least 2.5 in JMC courses.
For more information on JMC majors and minors, see Stephanie King, program assistant, in JOH 117 or call her at 414-229-4436.
Admission to the JMC Major and Minor
Eligibility
Students are eligible to apply for JMC majors or minors if they meet all of the following criteria:
- Passing grades in JMC 101 and JMC 201.
- 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.
Deadlines
Applications for admission to the JMC major and minor are accepted 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. During the 2008-2009 academic year, applications may be submitted between from September 15 through October 3, 2008, and from February 9 through February 27, 2009.
Preparing the Admissions Application
Applications must have the following four parts in order:
- An application form (pdf 66kb) (also available from the JMC office);
- A current UWM transcript (official or unofficial);
- A current résumé;
- A 500-word written statement outlining the applicant's academic interests, career goals, experience related to journalism and media communication or related areas, and any other factors that may be relevant to the decision about admission to the major or minor.
Three stapled, collated copies of the four-part application must be turned in. Place the three copies of your application in a 9 x 13 manila or white envelope. Do not use a binder or folder of any kind. Please do not submit samples of your work or additional materials. The admissions committee will contact you if anything is needed.
Notification of Applicants
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
Printable PDF of JMC Admissions Instructions (pdf 28kb)
