Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Advertising, B.A.J.M.C. program will be able to …

1. Demonstrate the ability to conduct research, gather information, write clearly and correctly and present relevant news or persuasive information at a professional level.  
2. Demonstrate the ability to think critically, creatively and independently  evaluate their own work and the work of others for accuracy, fairness, clarity, style and correctness.  
3. Demonstrate an understanding the history of journalism and mass communications, the diversity of groups in a global society in relationship to communications and the role of journalism and mass communications in society. 
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical concepts, legal implications, considerations and practices that guide the mass media professions.  
5. Demonstrate the ability to apply tools and technologies appropriate for the production, editing and presentation of visual, aural, textual or other media content.  
6. Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts and methods appropriate for the communications professions.   

Admissions

Entrance Requirements

Freshman Students

In order to be admitted to a program of study in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, freshmen must meet all University admission requirements. In order to continue in the program, each student must attain a minimum USC GPA of 2.50 upon completion of 30 degree-applicable hours. Credit received for remedial work is not counted toward the 30 hours.

Transfer Students

A student desiring to transfer to the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, from either another college of the University or another institution, must have a cumulative minimum GPA of 2.50 on all work attempted. Transfer students from other institutions must take at least half the journalism and mass communications course work in residence at the University of South Carolina Columbia. Other journalism and mass communications courses from those institutions may be used as journalism and mass communications electives at the discretion of the SJMC administration. No more than 12 semester hours of journalism and mass communications related courses from non-ACEJMC-accredited institutions will be applied toward the journalism and mass communications degree.

Degree Requirements (120 hours)

See School of Journalism and Mass Communications for progression requirements and other regulations.

Program of Study

Founding Documents Requirement

All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade in the subject areas of History, Political Science, or African American Studies that covers the founding documents including the United State Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation and one or more documents that are foundational to the African American Freedom struggle, and a minimum of five essays from the Federalist papers.  This course may count as a requirement in any part of the program of study including the Carolina Core, the major, minor or cognate, or as a general elective.  Courses that meet this requirement are listed here.

Requirements (120 hours)

¹

Must be passed with a grade of C or higher.

²

Carolina Core Stand Alone or Overlay Eligible Requirements — Overlay-approved courses offer students the option of meeting two Carolina Core components in a single course. A maximum of two overlays is allowed. The total Carolina Core credit hours must add up to a minimum of 31 hours. Some programs may have a higher number of minimum Carolina Core hours due to specified requirements.

³

JOUR courses used to fulfill College Requirements may not also be used in the major.

Major Map

A major map is a layout of required courses in a given program of study, including critical courses and suggested course sequences to ensure a clear path to graduation.

Major maps are only a suggested or recommended sequence of courses required in a program of study. Please contact your academic advisor for assistance in the application of specific coursework to a program of study and course selection and planning for upcoming semesters.

Advertising, B.A.J.M.C.

¹

Regardless of individual course grades, students must maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. 

²

Some colleges require a minimum GPA for major courses.  Courses indicated in this column are included in the major GPA for this program of study. 

³

The Carolina Core provides the common core of knowledge, skill and academic experience for all Carolina undergraduate students. 

⁴

Students in the Advertising major are required to demonstrate proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the 122 course through course credit or the corresponding foreign language placement score. 

⁵

Journalism Major Electives (18 hours) include: 1) two JOUR concept/lecture course (6 hours); 2) two directed capstone electives (6 hours); and 3) nine hours of JOUR electives.

• JOUR concept/lecture course (3 hours): JOUR 201, 203, 204, 205, 219, 242, 243, 249, 285, 286, 303, 304, 306, 307, 308, 309, 311, 312, 316, 331, 332, 333, 343, 344, 345, 348, 382, 385, 391, 394, 398, 400, 428, 440, 445, 451, 480, 491, 501, 506, 507, 508, 509, 527, 536, 539, 542, 563, 595, 596.
• Directed Capstone Electives (6 hours): JOUR 516, 518, 521, 528, 530, 537, 538, 597. 

⁶

Electives cannot include courses of a remedial or developmental nature. 

⁷

Sports Media Concentration Courses (12 hours): JOUR 391 (required) and 9 hours from: JOUR 242, 243, 244, 245, 307, 343, 344, 345, 394, 428, 443, 444, 461, 472, 472L. 

⁸

History Course (3 hours): HIST 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110; ARTH 107; FAMS 300; GERM 280.

⁹

Social Science (3 hours): any CC-GSS course or one of the following JOUR courses: JOUR 243, 285, 303, 304, 307, 308, 309, 311, 345, 391, 394, 398, 596. 

¹⁰

Social or Behavioral Sciences (3 hours): any course from AFAM (African American Studies); ANTH (Anthropology); COLA (College of Liberal Arts); CRJU (Criminal Justice); GEOG (Geography – except GEOG 545 & 546); HIST (History); LASP (Latin American Studies); POLI (Political Science); PSYC (Psychology); SOCY (Sociology); SOST (Southern Studies); WGST (Women’s & Gender Studies) or any one of the following JOUR courses: JOUR 243, 285, 303, 304, 307, 308, 309, 311, 345, 391, 394, 398, 596. 

Program Notes

• All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade that covers the founding documents. This course may fulfill any requirement in the program of study. Courses that meet this requirement are listed in the academic bulletin.
• All majors within the school will be expected to pass all journalism and mass communications courses used toward the major with a minimum grade of C.
• The last 30 credit hours toward your degree must be earned in residence at the University of South Carolina.