CMW: Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Written Component (6 hours)

• ENGL 101 - Critical Reading and Composition Credits: 3
• ENGL 102 - Rhetoric and Composition Credits: 3

ARP: Analytical Reasoning and Problem-Solving (6-7 hours)

• STAT 201 - Elementary Statistics  OR STAT 205 - Elementary Statistics for the Biological and Life Sciences   
• Any other approved Carolina ARP Core course

SCI: Scientific Literacy (7 hours)

• Two approved Carolina Core courses from the natural sciences including one laboratory course

GFL: Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language (0-3 hours)

• Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language (except Latin or Ancient Greek) equivalent to the minimal passing grade on the exit examination in 122. Students can demonstrate this proficiency by successfully completing Phase II of the Proficiency Test or by successfully completing the 122 course, including the exit exam administered as part of that course.

GHS: Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (3 hours)

One US History course from the following:

• HIST 111 - United States History to 1865 Credits: 3
• HIST 112 - United States History since 1865 Credits: 3

GSS: Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences (3 hours)

• Any approved Carolina Core GSS courses

AIU: Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding (3 hours)

• Any approved Carolina Core AIU course

CMS: Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component (3 hours)

• SPCH 140 - Public Communication Credits: 3
• SPCH 230 - Business and Professional Speaking Credits: 3
• SPCH 260 - Argumentation and Debate Credits: 3

INF: Information Literacy (0-3 hours)

• Any approved overlay or stand-alone Carolina Core INF course

VSR: Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility (0-3 hours)

• Any approved overlay or stand-alone Carolina Core VSR course

One English course selected from the following:

• ENGL 282 - Special Topics in Fiction Credits: 3
• ENGL 283 - Special Topics in British Literature Credits: 3
• ENGL 284 - Drama Credits: 3
• ENGL 285 - Special Topics in American Literature Credits: 3
• ENGL 286 - Poetry Credits: 3
• ENGL 287 - American Literature Credits: 3
• ENGL 288 - English Literature Credits: 3

One additional Social Science:

• Any Carolina Core GSS course

One non-US History course from the following:

• HIST 101 - European Civilization from Ancient Times to the Mid-17th Century Credits: 3
• HIST 102 - European Civilization from the Mid-17th Century Credits: 3
• HIST 104 - Introduction to the Civilization of the Islamic Middle East Credits: 3
• HIST 105 - Introduction to East Asian Civilization Credits: 3
• HIST 106 - Introduction to African History Credits: 3
• HIST 107 - Introduction to Ancient Near Eastern Civilization Credits: 3
• HIST 108 - Science and Technology in World History Credits: 3
• HIST 109 - Introduction to Latin American Civilization Credits: 3

Journalism and Mass Communications Core Courses (9 hours)

• JOUR 101 - Media and Society Credits: 3
• JOUR 291 - Writing for Mass Communications Credits: 3
• JOUR 303 - Law and Ethics of Mass Communications Credits: 3

Required Courses for Mass Communications (27 hours)

Select three of the following principles courses: (9 hours)

•    JOUR 201 - Principles of Public Relations  
•    JOUR 202 - Principles of Advertising and Brand Communications  
•    JOUR 203 - Principles of Visual Communications  
•    JOUR 204 - Principles of Journalism  

Three required courses from the following: (9 hours)

•    JOUR 205 - History and Philosophy of the Mass Media  
•    JOUR 306 - Theories of Mass Communications  
•    JOUR 501 - Freedom, Responsibility, and Ethics of the Mass Media  
•    JOUR 506 - Mass Media Criticism  
•    JOUR 542 - Public Opinion and Persuasion  

Choose one of the University’s Leadership with Distinction Pathways: Global Learning, Research, Civic Engagement, or Community Service. Courses listed under each pathway are examples that address the pathway’s learning outcomes. Except for the required courses identified, other relevant courses that address the pathway outcomes may be substituted per approval of advisor.

A. Global Learning (6 Hours)

• JOUR 541 - International Mass Communications  (required)

• One approved SJMC international elective

B. Research (6 Hours)

•           JOUR 332 - Mass Communications Research   (required)
•           One approved SJMC research elective

C. Civic Engagement (6 Hours)

• Two approved SJMC civic engagement electives

D. Community Service (6 Hours)

• Two approved SJMC service learning or community engagement elective

Capstone portfolio course (3 Hours)

• JOUR 515 - Mass Communications Capstone Portfolio  

Additional requirements for those seeking the Leadership Distinction designation:

The major in Mass Communications aligns with Graduation with Leadership Distinction. All students pursuing the Leadership Distinction designation will be assigned a faculty mentor from the Mass Communications sequence with whom they will be required to meet at least once per semester during their academic career. Further information on Graduation with Leadership Distinction can be obtained through the Office of USC Connect.

Minor (18 hours)

A student in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications may choose to complete a minor consisting of 18 credit hours of prescribed courses. The minor is intended to develop a coherent basic preparation in a second area of study. Courses applied toward general education requirements cannot be counted toward the minor. No course may satisfy both major and minor requirements. All minor courses must be passed with a grade of C or better. A minor form must be completed and approved by the school after the student has completed 30 hours of course work.

Cognate (12 Hours)

A student in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications may choose to complete a cognate. A cognate requires a minimum of 12 hours of courses in other departments related to the student’s major and/or career goals. Cognate courses may be taken in one or more departments depending on the interest and requirements of the student, but must have approval of the student’s adviser. Journalism courses may not be used in the cognate. At least 6 of the 12 hours must be at the 300-level or higher. No 100 level courses may be used in the cognate.