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The journalism program seeks to attract self-motivated students with above-average capabilities and to provide these men and women with high-quality training for careers in the mass media. Accordingly, the Division of Journalism has established high standards for admission to, and retention in, the program. It offers the Bachelor of Science degree in journalism, and the Bachelor of Science degree in public relations.

Faculty

Knight Foundation Chair (Student Success): Huff, Francine
Garth Reeves Eminent Scholar Chair: Ziegler, Dhyana
Professors: Abrams, Michael E.; Bertolaet, Todd; Kimbrough, Ann; Odine, Maurice; Wilder, Kay
Associate Professors: Grable, Bettye; Jones, Kenneth; White, Valerie
Assistant Professors:
Instructor: Jiles, William
Associate University Librarian: Karen Southwell
Office of Retention: White, Ruthie
Director, WANM-FM: Miles, Keith A.
Director, FAMU TV-20: Jones, Ernest

Admission Qualifications

A high school graduate interested in journalism, graphic design, or public relations at FAMU should apply for admission and indicate interest through the office of the director of admissions for the university. That office will determine admission eligibility as follows:

High School GPA: 2.5
English Composition Course GPA: “B” average or better
SAT/ACT Score: 1010/21

A student who does not initially meet these criteria may enter the College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities and major in Interdisciplinary Studies. After completing 30 semester hours with at least a 2.5 overall GPA and “B” average in FAMU freshman composition courses, the student may seek the Dean’s permission to change majors.

A student will be considered a major upon completing at least 30 hours of freshman course work (or equivalent) with a GPA of 2.5. This includes a 2.5 average or better in freshman English composition courses or acceptable alternatives approved by the Dean.

All undergraduate transfer students who enter FAMU with junior class standing must have satisfactorily completed the College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST). Florida community college transfers with AA degrees are also expected to have a minimum 2.5 GPA and a “B” average in English composition. International transfer applicants, whose native language is not English, must present a minimum score of 500 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a certificate from an English language institute.

A student entering FAMU for the first time and intending to major in journalism must be able to keyboard at least 40 words a minute with 85 percent accuracy. Some may also be required to take additional reading, speech, or composition courses.

Retention

All students admitted as journalism majors, having fulfilled the All majors must maintain a 2.5 GPA in journalism, graphic design, and public relations courses. A full-time student must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours of academic work per semester.

A student will be placed on academic probation when his/her GPA falls below 2.4 cumulative GPA, and/or 2.5 GPA in journalism, graphic design, and public relations courses for more than two consecutive semesters. A student placed on probation must meet with the retention committee, which will recommend conditional reinstatement, full reinstatement, or removal from the journalism program.

Graduation

Students must earn 125 semester hours of credit, have at least a 2.4 cumulative GPA, and have a 2.5 GPA in related courses to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism or Public Relations. Students who wish to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design must earn 120 semester hours and maintain 2.0 cumulative GPA.

General Education Requirements (35 semester hours)

Minor (12 semester hours)

Journalism majors must select 12 hours of course work outside the major, such as: literature, political science, criminal justice, history, math, psychology, sociology, economics, Spanish or French. Courses taken in this area cannot be used to complete the liberal arts requirements mentioned above. Other areas may be selected with the approval of the Dean.

Concentration/Free Electives (9 semester hours)

The journalism faculty realizes that some students need to acquire a background in a sub-specialty area. Hence, students may select 9 semester hours in such areas as: military science, business, computer science, agriculture, photography or graphic design. Students who do not wish to develop a concentration may select 9 semester hours among any courses they choose. Decisions must be made with faculty/academic advisors.

Other Requirements

Students must earn at least a “C” grade in all core courses and respective sequence courses. No course can count more than once to satisfy degree requirement

Programs

• Journalism, Broadcast Journalism, BS
• Journalism, Public Relations, BS

• Graphic Design Minor
• Journalism Minor
• Public Relations Minor

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