Journalism B.A.

Are you naturally curious about the people and the world around you? Are you brave enough to ask the tough questions and to seek and report the truth? Do you want to record history as it happens? With the guidance of our hands-on, experienced journalism faculty, you will be prepared to report on major news events with the highest standards of journalistic ethics and integrity.

Our journalism graduates learn to write, edit and visually tell news stories through a variety of digital, broadcast and print platforms.

Journalism Tracks

The journalism B.A. provides students with the skills and knowledge leading to careers in electronic and digital media. It is a limited-access degree program, which means a separate application must be submitted directly to the Nicholson School of Communication in order to be considered for admission. Students choose from two focus areas:

Digital News

For students who wish to work as writers, reporters, editors and photographers for the news media, primarily websites, newspapers and magazines.

Electronic News

For students who desire to work in broadcast news as reporters, photographers, anchors or broadcast sports journalists.

How to Apply

The exciting and fast-paced field of journalism is appealing to many incoming UCF students, however, the program is limited-access. Only the most promising and committed students are selected. Those who have experience in the field and are dedicated to contributing to it are more likely to remain journalism majors and to work harder to achieve success, as both a student and a graduate.

Students who are interested in majoring in journalism should demonstrate a strong and concrete commitment to the field through prior coursework, memberships, workshops, published work, internships and other practical experience. Admission to the journalism program is also based on GPA. The average GPA tends to be around a 3.3 or above. The GPA that will be considered is your cumulative GPA, which includes all of your grades from all of the colleges or universities that you have attended.

If you meet the mentioned criteria, you are welcome to apply to the journalism major, however, meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee admission.

Students who plan to major in journalism are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor in the Nicholson Academic Student Services Center, located in NSC 143. It is important for students to meet with an advisor at least once per semester to ensure that they are meeting the requirements for admittance to the program.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• 30 credit hours must be earned prior to applying.
• Grammar proficiency: Grammar proficiency can be met by earning an “A-“ or higher in both English Composition I and English Composition II, or by earning credit through AP, IB or CLEP, or by successfully passing the grammar proficiency exam through the UCF Testing Center.

Limited-Access Program Application

Portfolio

Journalism majors must complete a portfolio review at least one semester prior to graduation. The portfolio review process is only for students already accepted into the program, and the portfolio is comprised largely of work generated during their studies at UCF.

Portfolio Requirements and Other Resources Submit Your Portfolio

Internships

An Opportunity to Put Your Journalistic Skills to the Test. Internships provide you with the opportunity to put your newly acquired skills to the test, without all of the real-world pressure. Internships are essential as they provide students with professional newsroom experience as well as the opportunity to earn academic credit.Internships must be approved by the journalism faculty and are not granted until the appropriate coursework has been completed, which is usually by a student’s junior or senior year. Students are encouraged to seek internships locally, nationally and internationally during the summer semester. Many of our journalism students intern at media outlets such as the Orlando Sentinel, the Orlando Business Journal and WKMG-TV.

It is strongly recommended that an internship candidate meet with a journalism faculty advisor prior to interviewing with the prospective internship provider. Internship candidates must submit their internship paperwork in person to the faculty advisor. Internship paperwork not submitted in person will not be approved.

Internship Packet and Other Resources

Facilities

Learn Real-World Skills in a Real-World Environment

The radio-television studio and production facilities opened in 1999 as a centerpiece of the new $14 million communication building. The facility was equipped with state-of-the-art analog and digital technology through a combination of public and private funding. A unique partnership with Panasonic Broadcast Systems along with a major donation from the Harris Corporation facilitated the outfitting of the facility. Financial contributions from Darden Restaurants, WOFL-TV, WFTV-TV, Cox Radio and WESH-TV were also critical. The primary mission of the radio-television production facility is to support instruction and access to the facility is normally restricted to radio-television majors and faculty.

In the summer of 2012, major upgrades happened in the NSC studio and newsroom. UCF awarded technology enhancement grants for two major projects at the Nicholson School of Communication: Phase 1 of the multimedia newsroom and High Definition (HD) upgrades to the NSC studio.

The multimedia newsroom project created a new learning laboratory for news students in the radio-television and journalism areas. Phase 1 of the project focused on adding new computer equipment and editing facilities for students in both capstone news experiences. Students will work on expanding the online and broadcast news product from the Nicholson School.

The HD upgrades to the NSC studio included HD cameras and a new digital switcher in the production control facility. With this equipment, R-TV students are able to produce programs in widescreen HD as part of their coursework and projects.