Journalism

Overview

Journalism thrives on intelligent storytelling and effective communication. At TMU, students gain hands-on experience through internships and contributing to The Mane newspaper, allowing them to build professional skills and earn college credit while working as budding journalists.

What sets our program apart is the opportunity for students to specialize in their areas of interest. Aspiring economic journalists can enhance their expertise by taking business and finance courses as part of their journalism degree. Similarly, those drawn to political reporting can explore history and political studies. This flexible program is thoughtfully designed to adapt to each student’s unique goals, preparing them for success in their chosen field.

Journalism Emphasis Curriculum

This curriculum provides a comprehensive and flexible pathway to mastering the principles of journalism while exploring specialized interests within the fields of communication and media.

Communication Core Courses

Total units required: 15

• C220: News Media Literacy
• C472: Rhetorical Criticism

Choose one of the following courses:

• C371: Interpersonal Communication (3 units)
• C391: Intercultural Communication (3 units)

Choose one of the following courses:

• C254: Journal and Autobiographical Writing (3 units)
• C261: Introduction to Journalism (3 units)
• C321: Screenwriting I (3 units)
• C351: Creative Writing (3 units)

Choose one of the following courses:

• C382: Persuasion (3 units)
• C481: Argumentation & Debate (3 units)

Journalism Core Courses

Total units required: 18

• C261: Introduction to Journalism* (3 units)
• C320: Newspaper Workshop (must complete 3 semesters, 3 units total)
• C338: Multimedia Storytelling (3 units)
• C492: In-Depth Reporting (3 units)

Select five of the following elective courses:

• C122: Social Media and Communication (3 units)
• C132: Podcast Studio (3 units)
• C138: Photo Journalism (3 units)
• C142: Photoshop (3 units)
• C211: Introduction to Mass Communication (3 units)
• C234: Travel Writing (Directed Study) (3 units)
• C301: Political News Reporting (3 units)
• C303: Documentary Filmmaking (3 units)
• C320: Newspaper Workshop** (3 units)
• C331: Freelance: Entrepreneurship in the Digital Age (3 units)
• C341: Magazine Writing (3 units)
• C352: Editing I: Principles of Copyediting (3 units)
• C362: Writing Editorials and Columns (3 units)
• C373: Graphic Design I (3 units)
• C399c: Winterim Journalism Immersion (3 units)
• C404: Graphic Design II (3 units)
• C430: Honors Internship (1-9 units)
• C432: Sports Journalism (3 units)
• C452: Editing II: Advanced Copyediting (3 units)

Optional Political Science Courses (maximum of 3 units):

• POL325: Political Parties and Elections (3 units)
• POL333: The Presidency (3 units)
• POL334: Congress (3 units)
• POL336: Political Communication (3 units)
• POL423: Law and Public Policy (3 units)
• POL424: The Judicial Process (3 units)
• POL446: The Supreme Court and the Bill of Rights (3 units)

Note: C261 and C320 may be counted within both core and elective requirements where applicable.

Minor in Biblical Studies

To earn a minor in Biblical Studies, students must complete 24 Bible units. The coursework includes:

• B101, B102: Old Testament Survey I & II (6 units)
• B121: Essentials of Christian Thought (3 units)
• B201, B202: New Testament Survey I & II (6 units)
• BTH321, BTH322: Christian Theology I & II (6 units)
• Bible Elective: Choose one elective course (3 units)

This program provides a comprehensive foundation in Biblical knowledge and Christian theology.

Graduation Requirements

Please refer to the degree checklist for complete details. This example checklist is from the 2025-26 academic catalog.

SCRIPTURE SET (21 units)*

• B101,2 Old Testament Survey I, II
• B121 Essentials of Christian Thought
• B201,2 New Testament Survey I, II
• BTH321,2 Christian Theology I, II

WORLDVIEW AND SKILLS SET (40 Units)**

• C100 Spoken Communication
• E110 English Composition
• ECN200 Essentials of Economics & Society
• H211,2 Essentials of World History I, II
• H230 Essentials of U.S. History
• Literature Elective
• Literature Survey
• LS150 Essentials of Biology (or GS150 Essentials of Geology) + Lab
• MA240 Critical Thinking & Quantitative Analysis
• MU190 Essentials of Music & Art
• P311 Essentials of Philosophy
• POL220 U.S. Government

**Depending on the student’s major, specific G.E. requirements allow for substitutions. 

*Students transferring with ≥ 61 total units may need to satisfy fewer than 7 Bible G.E. courses as evaluated and confirmed by the Registrar’s Office before starting the student’s first undergraduate semester. All other students must satisfy all 7 Bible G.E.

• Complete a minimum of 121 semester units of credit.
• Complete a minimum of 40 semester units in upper division courses. Includes 300 & 400 level courses.
• Satisfy all General Education requirements.
• Complete the required curriculum for the chosen major’s field(s) of study.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 (cumulative) in all TMU Courses. Some majors have different GPA requirements.
• Complete a minimum of 32 semester units at TMU, not including Directed Studies coursework.
• A maximum of 12 units can be transferred to complete degree requirements after the last 12 units taken at TMU.

Program Learning Outcomes

This emphasis offers a course of study for students interested in the various and changing field of journalism, including writing and reporting, sports photography, editing, public relations, media literacy, TV, radio, and multimedia/social media journalism.

1. Effectively incorporate a biblical worldview in writing as appropriate for the situation.
2. Demonstrate proficiency in journalistic reporting and writing (news story, feature, editorial, and column writing) and Associated Press style. This includes writing a concise journalistic lead and proper quote attribution.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in utilizing forms of multimedia journalism beyond print media: visual elements in concert with writing and editing elements to produce effective pieces of visual journalism.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of journalistic ethics and fairness. Produce stories that are balanced, framing complex issues in a way to present all sides to the reader without interpretation or editorializing. Utilize quoted sources to generate a fair representation of various sides of the issue.