The study of journalism entails the mastery of working with people to present news and features in a way that reflects events accurately and fully. Students in the print program will acquire skills in analytical thinking, lucid writing, and effective interviewing to be able to present a clear and forceful picture of their subject in words and images. To have a broad background, students are encouraged to earn more than 60 percent of their credits in other departments, thereby developing a wide understanding of the world and the processes that make society work.

In addition, students will become familiar with methods of writing that effectively reach mass audiences and that portray events and people in satisfying ways. Since a wide range of knowledge is essential within the field, students will study libel law, ways of writing for magazines, the process of communication, and such areas as the interaction between the mass media and society today.

At the Daily Universe, BYU’s laboratory newspaper, print journalism students work with faculty and professional mentors to produce a daily newspaper with a circulation of 18,500. Working at one of 43 work stations, students gain practical experience in deadline reporting, editing, feature writing, and production of a daily newspaper. To visit the Universe's Web site, click here.

Students in the print program have received top local, regional, and national awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and the Associate Collegiate Press, among others. 

Major Requirements

1. Complete one course from the following: Engl 150, Honrs 150, Phil 150 (students must receive a B grade or better to be eligible to apply for admission to the program).

2. Complete the following core courses: Comms 101, 211, 239 (students must receive a B grade or better in these courses to be eligible to apply for admission to the program).

3. Apply to the major.

4. Complete the following: Comms 300, 308, 321.

5. After consulting with a faculty advisor, complete one of the following tracks:

    a. News Editorial Track: Comms 377, 420, 484.

    b. News Design and New Media Track: Comms 365, 428, 487.

        Note: Twelve students will be admitted to the news design and new media track each year based on an application.

6. After consulting with an advisor, complete an internship in conjunction with 4 hours of the following: Comms 399R.

        Note: A C- grade or better in the following prerequisite courses must be achieved before the internship experience:

                News editorial track: Comms 308, 321, 420.

                News design track: Comms 308, 365, 428.

7. Complete one course from each of the three clusters (9 hours total) from the following departmental electives:

    Cluster 1:  Comms 302, 351, 411, 416

    Cluster 2:  Comms 301, 360, 406, 480

    Cluster 3:  Comms 381, 382, 481, 482

8. Complete 80 credit hours outside the Department of Communications, including 65 credits in liberal arts and sciences.