Pre-Journalism Advising

Students wishing to pursue a journalism degree should review the entrance requirements of the schools they would like to attend for information on suggested prejournalism courses of study. Students seeking a journalism degree from the University of Missouri must complete their junior and senior years at the School of Journalism, University of Missouri-Columbia. For admission, students must present to the UMC School of Journalism 60 acceptable credit hours.

The following courses and skills are required for admission to the UMC School of Journalism:

English Composition:  Six hours with at least a "B" grade in the second course.

Math:  College Algebra with a grade of "C" or higher.

Foreign Language:  Four years of high school work in one foreign language, or 12-13 hours of college work in one foreign language.

Science:  Math 31, Elementary Statistics (prerequisite College Algebra) plus six hours (to include a lab) in biology, chemistry, astronomy, geology, physics, or mathematics above college algebra.

Science Electives:  Five or six additional hours in behavioral, biological, physical or mathematical science from the following areas: anthropology, astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics above college algebra, physics, psychology or sociology.

Social Science:  Nine hours to include to include American History from the beginning to the present day and American Government/Intro to Political Science plus Microeconomics.(Advertising majors must complete both microeconomics and macroeconomics.)

Humanistic Studies: Three hours in American or British literature plus at least five hours in two of the following areas: history or appreciation of art or music, philosophy, humanities, religious studies, non-U.S. civilization or classical studies, history or appreciation of communication or theater (not to include such courses as voice and articulation, principles of speech, etc., which may count as elective credit only).

Word Processing Skills:  Forty words per minute.

Nontransferrable courses at the School of Journalism include:  basic military science, basic physical education, business education (i.e. typing or shorthand), photography, public relations, advertising, journalism or mass communication, orientation, industrial arts, college preparatory, and no more than three hours of applied music, dance, acting, or studio art.

Prior to admission to the School, students must take two journalism courses at UMC with a minimum 2.75 gpa.  The English composition requirement must be satisfied before enrollment in any journalism course.

Admission is by sequence:   Offered sequences include Advertising, Broadcast News, Magazine, News-Editorial and Photojournalism.

The School of Journalism accepts credit through the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP - subject exams only), Advanced Placement Program (AP), and advanced standing.  The School will not accept credit by exam to fulfill the English composition requirement. Credit should be referred for review by sending an official transcript to Admissions, 230 Jesse Hall, Columbia, MO 65211.

The School computes the grade point average for transfer students based on courses accepted for Admission.  Both attempts of a repeated course figure into the GPA, but the hours are only counted once.

For more information, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Student Affairs in the College of Arts and Sciences, 303 Lucas Hall, 516-5501. Or visit the University of Missouri School of Journalism web site at http://www.journalism.missouri.edu/