Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism & Mass Communication

The Department of Communication and Journalism at the University of New Mexico offers a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Journalism & Mass Communication through the College of Arts and Sciences with concentrations in either Multimedia Journalism, Strategic Communication, or Digital Field Multimedia.  Our Multimedia Journalism concentration combines print, broadcasting and online journalism and helps to prepare students for a variety of careers and positions with media companies. Our Strategic Communication concentration helps to prepare students for a variety of careers in advertising and public relations fields.  The Digital Field Multimedia concentration allows students to use the tools of digital media in the fields of broadcast. With the IFDM core courses, students will develop technical and creative skills while utilizing digital media technology.

Course work is dependent on the concentration you choose.

Specializing in one of these areas, each major is required to take at least one course in writing for the media, along with courses that explore ethics and multimedia and visual communication. Students must complete one of the following sequences below.

As of Fall 2019 the Strategic Communication Concentration degree structure has changed. Please refer to your LoboTrax Degree Audit for your catalog year and degree details.

Advisement and Program Information

Program Advisement:
Sarah Volden, C&J Sr Academic Advisor
(277-5305, cjadvise@unm.edu)

Major Study Requirements

Students must choose from one of three concentrations: Multimedia Journalism or Strategic Communication or Digital Field Multimedia. 

-Students majoring in Multimedia Journalism will be required to take 15 hours of Journalism Core courses, 12 hours of Multimedia Concentration classes, and 9 hours of specific Journalism electives (as listed on your Audit). These students will be required to choose a minor; see catalog.unm.edu for available options.

-Student majoring in Strategic Communication concentration will be required to take 15 hours of Journalism Core courses, 21 hours of Strategic Communication courses, and 9 hours from specific electives. No minor is necessary for this concentration.  (This pertains to catalog years 201780 to present.)

-Students majoring in Digital Field Multimedia concentration will be required to take 24 hours of coursework in Journalism which are specified and 29 hours of classes within IFDM which are again specified and must be taken in sequence.  No minor is necessary for this concentration. This concentration also requires application and acceptance through the IFDM program.

Completion of a Math course is required for all Journalism majors and will also apply to the UNM Core Curriculum. A 2.5 grade point average is required for admission to and graduation from the department.

Minor Study Requirements

Students who declare a minor in Journalism must take 21 credit hours of C&J department courses, which must include the following:

COMM 1140 - Intro to Media Writing (formerly C&J 171)

COMM 2185 - Multimedia and Visual Communication (formerly C&J 269) or COMM 2130 - Media Theories (formerly C&J 268)

COMM 2135 - Media Ethics and Law (formerly CJ 466)

21-hours total

Please note a Math course is required for many classes for Journalism minors.

Other Requirements

  • Depending on your catalog year, COMM 1140 and MATH 1130 must be completed before moving forward with Journalism courses. 
  • You may take CJ electives at the same time you are taking required CJ courses. 
  • Students must have a 2.5 grade point average for all course work in the major. You must have a grade of "C" or better in all departmental courses. A "C-" does not count as a "C." 
  • Electives are specific and listed in your LoboTrax Degree Audit

Independent Studies

C&J policy prohibits students from using Independent Studies as a substitute for a required course.

Core Requirements for Journalism & Mass Communication Majors

(As of Fall 2019)

Core Courses — 18 hours
The following required course must be taken prior to concentration:

  • COMM 1140 - Writing for the Mass Media I (formerly C&J 171)

The following can be taken in conjunction with concentration courses:

  • COMM 2135 - Media Ethics and Law (formerly C&J 466)
  • COMM 2185 - Multimedia and Visual Communication (formerly C&J 269) (1140 is prerequisite)
  • CJ 350 - Data Tools for Media Professionals
  • CJ 365 - History of Media
  • CJ 478 - Media Theory and Research

Requirements (in addition to Journalism core) for Multimedia Journalism concentration

  • COMM 1145 - Sex, Lies, and Fake News
  • COMM 2190 - Writing and Editing for Multimedia Journalism (formerly C&J 278)
  • CJ 360 - Video Journalism
  • CJ 367 - Social Media for Journalists
  • CJ 375 - Intermediate Reporting
  • CJ 475 - Advanced Multimedia Journalism
  • +12 hours of Journalism electives as specified by the Audit in accordance with Catalog year.

No Minor Necessary

Requirements (in addition to Journalism core) for Strategic Communication concentration (please note this is for catalog years 201780 to present)

Strategic Communication concentration classes: (21 hours)

  • CJ 327 Persuasive Communications
  • CJ 374 Design and Visual Presentation 1
  • CJ 387 Introduction to Strategic Communication
  • CJ 389 Creative Concepts
  • CJ 390 Strategic Writing
  • CJ 391 Strategic Social Media
  • CJ 488 Strategic Planning and Campaign

Journalism Electives: (9 hours)

  • COMM 2190 Writing and Editing for Multimedia Journalism (formerly CJ 278)
  • COMM 2245 Web Design (formerly CJ 279)
  • CJ 332 Business and Professional Speaking
  • CJ 340 Organizational Communications
  • CJ 361 Photojournalism
  • CJ 370 Audio Journalism (formerly Radio News Production CJ 393)
  • CJ 492 Internship
  • CJ 464 Multimedia Visual Production

No Minor Necessary

Requirements (in addition to Journalism Core) for Digital Field Multimedia concentration

No Minor Necessary

Other General Requirements

  • 72 or more semester hours in courses outside the department.
  • 65 semester hours in the College of Arts and Sciences.
  • 2.5 grade point average for all course work in the major.

Course Descriptions

Click here for details on all undergraduate courses offered through the Department of Communication and Journalism.