Listed below are requirements for the major in Journalism, Advertising, and Media Studies—Journalism Concentration. In addition to requirements for the major, students must satisfy all of the university general education requirements and the College of Letters & Science breadth and other degree requirements.
Degree requirements will vary depending on when you took your first college class. You are strongly advised to consult both your journalism advisor and your L&S advisor to ensure you stay on track toward a degree.
Read more about the degree requirements on the L&S Degree Requirements web pages.
Effective Date: Fall 2022
If you started the program before the effective date of the new requirements, please consult with your advisor about your set of requirements.
JAMS Major Requirements
Students must complete 18 or more credits in courses numbered 300 or above, and at least 15 upper-division (numbered 300 and above) credits in the major in residence at UWM. Students may count a maximum of 6 credits in any combination of JAMS 399 and JAMS 600, each of which can be taken to a maximum of 6 credits. The College of Letters and Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA on all credits in the major attempted at UWM. Students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including transfer work.
A Journalism, Advertising, and Media Studies (JAMS) major requires a minimum of 36 credits in JAMS and at least 12 credits in a single program other than JAMS, of which, at least 6 credits must be at the 300 level or above:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| JAMS 101 | Introduction to Mass Media | 3 |
| JAMS 201 | Media Writing | 3 |
| JAMS 559 | Freedom of Expression in the Digital Age | 3 |
| or JAMS 461 | Media Ethics | |
| Complete 12 credits of JAMS Electives | 12 | |
| Select 12 credits in a single program outside of JAMS 1 | 12 | |
| Select at least one JAMS 600-level course with the word "Seminar" in its title to meet the L&S requirement for a research experience in the major | 3 | |
| Concentration (see requirements listed below) | 12 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
Journalism | ||
Media Studies | ||
Advertising/Public Relations | ||
| Total Credits | 48 | |
- 1
At least 6 credits must be at the 300 level or above.
Concentration Requirements
Journalism
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| JAMS 204 | News Writing | 3 |
| JAMS 320 | News Reporting | 3 |
| Select at least two of the following: | 6 | |
| Audio Storytelling | ||
| Introduction to Digital Documentary | ||
| Television News Reporting | ||
| Advanced Integrated Reporting | ||
| Specialized Reporting: | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Media Studies
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| JAMS 262 | Principles of Media Studies | 3 |
| JAMS 562 | Media Studies and Culture | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Advertising and Public Relations | ||
| Publication Design | ||
| Photojournalism | ||
| Introduction To Video Storytelling | ||
| Feature and Magazine Article Writing: | ||
| Audio Storytelling | ||
| Media Graphics | ||
| Introduction to Social Media and Search Engine Optimization | ||
| Critical and Opinion Writing | ||
| Select one of the following: 1 | 3 | |
| News Literacy | ||
| Race and Ethnicity in the Media | ||
| History of Mass Media | ||
| Media Ethics 2 | ||
| Freedom of Expression in the Digital Age 2 | ||
| Seminar in Media and Public Opinion | ||
| Seminar in Media and Politics | ||
| Seminar in Global Media | ||
| Seminar in Contemporary Issues in Media Studies: | ||
| Seminar in Media Communication and Society: | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
One Media Studies course from among the following (in addition to at least one JAMS 600-level course with the word “Seminar” in its title selected to meet the L&S requirement for a research experience in the major).
- 2
If JAMS 461 or JAMS 559 is chosen for the Media Studies Elective, it cannot be double-counted as an Upper-Level Core Requirement.
Advertising/Public Relations
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| JAMS 207 | Introduction to Advertising and Public Relations | 3 |
| JAMS 307 | Persuasive Media Writing and Production: | 3 |
| JAMS 524 | Advertising and Public Relations Campaigns | 3 |
| JAMS 407 | Media Planning | 3 |
| or JAMS 505 | Research for Advertising and Public Relations | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |