Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies

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Purpose and Focus

The Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies prepares students to become thoughtful scholars, researchers, and effective professionals in broadcast, online, and print journalism, integrated marketing communication (advertising & public relations), and media studies. Faculty engage students in a supportive environment of scholarship and service, stressing knowledge of theory and practice, ethics, critical thinking, and social responsibility.

Undergraduate Major

Journalism and Media Studies

Areas of Concentration

Broadcast Journalism

Provides study and experience in areas of television and radio production, writing, and journalistic inquiry.

Print Journalism

Provides study and practice in the areas of print, Internet, emerging media, writing, interviewing and design.

Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC)

Provides study and practice in the areas of advertising, public relations, and marketing communication and the relationships among these areas.

Media Studies

Prepares students for advanced study of the interaction between media and society, particularly in the areas of media criticism, cultural studies, visual communication, and journalism.

Admission to the Major

Minimum: GPA: 3.00

Admission Policies

The Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies is a highly competitive program and limits enrollment in any given year for entering majors. Students will be assigned a pre-journalism (JOURPRE) designation until they have completed the following pre-major requirements:

1. Journalism and media studies core (9 credits)
   JOUR 100, 101, and 102.
2. UNLV General Education Core courses (16–18 credits)
   ENG 101 and 102
   U.S. and Nevada Constitutions requirement
   Six credits chosen from the remaining general education core requirements. All courses satisfying Pre-Journalism requirements must be completed with at least a B (3.0) grade (B- is unacceptable). Pre-journalism students may not enroll in upper-division JOUR courses (300–400 level). Upon completion of the pre-major requirements, students may apply for admission to the major.
3. A qualifying entrance exam will be administered once each semester to students who have completed (or are in their final semester prior to completion of) all pre-major requirements. The entrance exam will test basic competencies from the Pre-Journalism core as well as writing ability. Students also will submit, as part of the entrance exam, an essay that details academic and career goals.
4. Successful completion of all requirements will result in the student entering the pool of potential majors. Subsequent interviews and reviews of records will determine whether a student will be admitted to the limited enrollment space available for majors.

Transfer Policies

Transfer students will be assigned a JOURPRE designation until they have completed the pre-major requirements described above and must meet with an advisor in the college’s Student Advising Center for articulation of transfer credit.

School Policies

Academic Policies

Students must be journalism and Media Studies majors during the completion of the last 30 credits taken at UNLV in fulfillment of the departmental residency requirement. Journalism and Media Studies courses may not be used to satisfy more than one requirement, with the exception of international and multicultural requirements. Only course work in the major for which a grade of C or above (C- is not acceptable) is received will count toward satisfaction of the degree requirements. Maintenance of a UNLV 3.00 GPA is required to remain in and graduate from the program. Students must complete 42 upper-division (300–400) level credits, including 27 upper-division credits in Journalism and Media Studies. Note: Journalism and Media Studies majors are limited to a maximum of 44 total credits within the major.

Required Minor

Each student majoring in Journalism and Media Studies also must complete a minor in a field of their choice (18 – 24 credits, depending upon the program). A Liberal Arts minor is strongly encouraged, and students should work closely with advisors to select and complete a minor that will enhance a degree in Journalism and Media Studies.

Change of Major

Change of status from pre-major to major requires the student to acquire a change of major form from the Student Advising Center and follow the steps indicated.

Internships

Practical application of classroom experience through professional internships is mandatory for all majors. A student is expected to have completed at least 12 credits of appropriate course work prior to any internship and to have at least a 3.00 GPA. A student must complete three credits of internship.

Advisement

Students are strongly encouraged to have all course work for the Journalism and Media Studies major approved in consultation with an academic advisor in the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs Student Advising Center. Failure to seek academic advising may result in the delay of graduation.

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