Nov 23, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025 
    
Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025

Journalism and Criminology, Integrated, B.A.



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BA in Journalism and Criminology, Integrated


Description

The study of Journalism and Criminology provides students with not only a historical and theoretical understanding of journalism, public relations, and advertising, but their functions in our socially-mediated and globally-networked society. Students become adept at writing for the printed page, as well as video and audio reporting, blogging and web writing, along with web coding and design. Students learn skills of critical thinking and visual literacy that allow them to create successful promotional campaigns that engage with audiences across social media platforms.  

What careers can this major prepare you for?

Graduates will be able pursue careers opportunities in media outlets of all types, nonprofits focusing on issues of interest, government agencies serving those communities, community relations, survey and public opinion agencies, among others. at the intersection of journalism, criminal justice/criminology, and/or social justice. Career options include staff positions with media outlets of all types, institutes for non-profit news, philanthropic research positions, and criminal-legal system grant writing positions. Students who pursue the B.A. in Journalism and Criminology may alternatively wish to pursue careers in the criminal justice system (e.g., juvenile and adult probation officers, nonprofit rehabilitation agencies for people with criminal-leqal system involvement, police officers, court personnel, parole and correctional officers, and victim advocates). Finally, the B.A. in Journalism and Criminology provides strong preparation for professional schools, including law and social work, and for graduate training in Criminology, Journalism, Sociology, and other social science disciplines.  

What skills are developed within this major?

Journalism offers skill development in trains in skills including digital content creation (e.g. podcasting, video editing), writing, interviewing, effective use of social media, and research. Criminology offers skill development in critical thinking, information literacy, and provides a strong foundation in applied research.

Hours Required for Degree


Minimum hours required for degree: 120

Minimum hours require for major: 39

College Requirements


See college page  for college requirements.

Major Requirements


Students must complete a minimum of 39 credits and maintain a 2.25 GPA with an integrated major in Journalism and Criminology.

Transfer students must obtain at least 20 (of 39) credit hours from Communication or Criminology courses at Cleveland State University.

Internship Elective


Students are strongly encouraged to take an internship in either Journalism or Criminology.

Honors Program/University Scholars Requirements


Honors or University Scholars students majoring in Journalism and Criminology must complete 6 additional credit hours toward the degree.   

Honors or University Scholars students majoring in Journalism and Criminology must: 

  • Take Communication Inquiry (COM 303 ) with an added honors contract* agreed to between the faculty member and the student, which will provide an opportunity to gain in-depth understanding of communication methods OR 
  • Take one approved 3-credit hour graduate elective 

Additionally, Honors or University Scholars students majoring in Journalism and Criminology must: 

  • Take 3 credit hours of independent research (SOC 496H  or COM 496 ) OR  
  • Take one 3 credit hour 300 or 400-level elective with an honors contract.* 

*The honors contract in a course may involve completion of a project, research paper, video, or presentation as appropriate. 

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