Pre-Journalism Curriculum
Although LMU doesn’t offer a journalism major or minor, a large number of LMU graduates have gone on to successful careers or graduate work in journalism. These students, who have majored or minored in English or Communication Studies, have taken advantage of a number of exciting LMU courses. These courses comprise the LMU “Pre-Journalism Curriculum” and are particularly recommended for students who intend pursuing a Masters or Ph.D. in Journalism, or who plan to work as a journalist, freelance, or for a newspaper or magazine. No student need complete all of the courses listed below, but a healthy sampling will stand a future journalist in good stead and will assist in admission to most graduate programs in journalism across the country.
It is important to note that a working journalist often develops a specialization in a particular area, such as sports, entertainment, or the environment. Content courses in these areas would, of course, be useful. The Pre-Journalism Curriculum includes Political Science courses specifically, since local, state, and national politics have an impact on most news, and politics is considered an important working knowledge base for any journalist.
A pre-journalism certificate can be issued to the student who successfully completes 18 semester hours of pre-journalism coursework. Students must take at least five of the six courses from the English Department. Only one course may be selected from another discipline. Students who seek a certificate will be advised on how to create a program that focuses on their area of interest: for example, political reporting, sports reporting, electronic media, etc.
Pre-Journalism courses are offered by a variety of departments and colleges across the University, making the Pre-Journalism Curriculum truly interdisciplinary.
Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts, English Department
Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts, Political Science Department
Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts, Philosophy Department
Students interested in assembling a Pre-Journalism Curriculum should review each semester’s course offerings across the colleges, paying particular attention to special studies courses focusing on journalistic issues, media topics, or related fields. Students may consult with Dr. Linda Bannister, Pre-Journalism Advisor, to determine which special or new courses may be appropriate.
There are a number of Pre-Journalism eligible courses offered by the College of Communication and Fine Arts, some of which may entail prerequisites and/or college permission. Please consult with Dr. Linda Bannister for more information about these courses.
Note: Although there is no set sequence for taking pre-journalism courses, some of the above listed courses may carry prerequisite courses that must be completed first. Students interested in journalism are also strongly advised to participate in LMU’s award-winning student newspaper The Los Angeles Loyolan, the campus yearbook The Tower, and/or radio station KXLU.
A Pre-Journalism Curriculum Completion Certificate is available to those students who successfully complete (earning a C [2.0] or better in each course) 18 semester hours of approved pre-journalism coursework. Bring transcript showing 18 semester hours of accepted completed courses to Dr. Bannister at least two months prior to intended graduation. If courses are in progress during the last semester before graduation, the certificate will be issued after a final grade of C (2.0) or better is posted for each course.