What Does the Photojournalism Emphasis Offer?
Career Options
MSCD's Journalism graduates with a Photojournalism emphasis have a promising future as photojournalists at a variety of newspapers or magazines. They may also freelance their work to a variety of publications, including online publications.
Metro's Photojournalism graduates have typically obtained their first jobs at newspapers such as the Greeley Tribune, the (Evergreen) Canyon Courier, the Topeka Capital-Journal, and the Montrose Daily Press. We've had graduates begin their careers at the Philadelphia Enquirer, the New York Daily News, the Miami Herald, and the Denver Post.
The Photojournalism emphasis provides a balance between reporting and photography skills. Check the requirements section below for details.
Requirements
Students with a Photojournalism emphasis take a series of photojournalism courses. JRN 2600 Introduction to Photojournalism, JRN 3600 Photojournalism I, and JRN 4600 Photojournalism II become progressively more advanced. The first two classes are taught using traditional darkroom techniques, while JRN 4600 is taught with digital camera technology.
JRN 4890 Social Documentary is the culmination of the photojournalism classes, where students work on long-term projects that have significant social/cultural concerns and connections.
Photojournalism students are required to take reporting, editing, and page design classes in addition to photojournalism, in order to build basic journalism skills for their industry.
Proficiency in standard written English is a prerequisite for all Journalism courses. Students are required to complete ENG 1010 before taking any Journalism courses beyond JRN 1010.
To make Journalism graduates more marketable in our multicultural society, Journalism majors have a 2-year foreign language requirement beginning with the Fall 2002 semester. Students who declared their majors before then do not have to meet this requirement, but it is highly suggested. Students who are proficient in another language may test out of the requirement through the Department of Modern Languages.
A minor is required for all Journalism majors. Students majoring in one of the three Journalism emphases may not minor in Journalism, Photojournalism, or Public Relations.
Students should select an advisor early in their course of study. The Journalism Program will provide students with a list of suggested General Studies courses to help them gain a broad base of knowledge necessary for working in news and information media. Contact the MSCD Journalism office for more information.
Listed below are requirements for the Photojournalism Emphasis. See the Course Descriptions page for details about each course.
Journalism Major, Photojournalism Emphasis
Required Courses (Semester Hours):
ART1271 Basic Photography Methods or equivalent (3)
JRN1010 Introduction to Journalism and Mass Media (3)
JRN1100 Beginning Reporting (3)
JRN1200 Beginning Editing (3)
JRN2100 Intermediate Reporting (3)
JRN2210 Beginning Layout and Design (3)
JRN2600 Introducation to Photojournalism (3)
JRN3600 Photojournalism I (3)
JRN3982 Cooperative Education-Photojournalism (3)
(JRN3982 may be taken more than once with permission of a journalism adviser)
JRN4600 Photojournalism II (3)
JRN4500 Ethical and Legal Issues in Journalism (3)
Subtotal: 33 Semester Hours
Elective Courses: Select One of the Following:
JRN1700 Survey of Public Relations (3)
JRN3100 Publication Practicum (3)
JRN3150 Contemporary Issues (3)
JRN3200 Intermediate Editing (3)
JRN 3400 Feature Article Writing for Newspapers (3)
JRN350M Portfolio Presentation (1)
JRN4100 Investigative Reporting (3)
JRN4200 Advanced Layout and Design (3)
JRN4400 Feature Article Writing for Magazines (3)
JRN4890 Social Documentary (3)
Subtotal: 3 Semester Hours
Total Semester Hours Required for Photojournalism Major: 36 Semester Hours
Photojournalism Minor
Required Courses (Semester Hours):
JRN1010 Introduction to Journalism and Mass Media (3)
JRN1100 Beginning Reporting (3)
JRN1200 Beginning Editing (3)
JRN2600 Introduction to Photojournalism (3)
JRN3600 Photojournalism I (3)
JRN3980 Cooperative Education-Photojournalism (3)
JRN4500 Ethical and Legal Issues in Journalis (3)
Total Semester Hours Required for Photojournalism Minor: 21 Semester Hours
Digital Media Minor
Visit the Digital Media Minor page to see requirements for this exciting new minor, which offers courses selected from the departments of Art, Communication Arts & Sciences, and Technical Communications. Four concentrations in this minor are offered: Still Media, Motion Media, Interactive Media, and Content Design.
The Still Media concentration emphasizes studies in photography, photojournalism, and computer imaging. Motion Media concentration minors focus their studies on television and corporate video production. Students who choose Interactive Media concentrate on computer graphics, interactive applications, and web-based media production. Content Design concentration minors study design of the message from the visual and written perspective.