Journalism Boot Camp

Journalism Boot Camp is the first course in the graduate Journalism program. It is officially known as COMM-624 Principles & Practices of Journalism. Although students are officially admitted to the program for the fall semester, all graduate Journalism students are enrolled as non-degree students during the summer while in Boot Camp. This course is valued at 3 credits and is billed accordingly. The class meets July 30 – August 17, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, for that three week period. In this class students will write, report, and produce for a variety of media platforms – print, online, radio and television. In Boot Camp and in the M.A. program the importance of convergence training along with the fundamentals of critical thinking, news judgment, interviewing, ethics and fact checking – all against a backdrop of a changing media industry are stressed. A minimum grade of B (3.0) is required in order to pass this course and move on to the full program in the fall.

Please note that due to its non-degree nature, students are not able to acquire federal financial aid for this class.  The University Student Accounts Office may be contacted for individualized payment plans.

Course Requirements*

• Print Track

COMM-624 Principles and Practices of Journalism (with a grade of B or better) (3)

COMM-535 Online News Production I (3)

COMM-601 Legal Aspects of Communication ( with a grade of B or better) (3)

COMM-724 Reporting of Public Affairs (3)

COMM-596 Audio Storytelling (1.5 credits)

COMM-596 Video Storytelling (1.5 credits)

COMM-XXX Approved Elective (15)

COMM-720 Seminar in Journalism (3)

• Broadcast Track

COMM-624 Principles and Practices of Journalism (with a grade of B or better) (3)

COMM-535 Online News Production I (3)

COMM-601 Legal Aspects of Communication (with a grade of B or better) (3)

COMM-724 Reporting of Public Affairs (3)

COMM-596 Audio Storytelling (1.5)

COMM-596 Video Storytelling (1.5)

COMM-632 Backpack Video Journalism (3)

COMM-722 Broadcast News II (3)

COMM-560 Backpack Documentary (with a grade of B or better) (3)

COMM-XXX Approved Electives (9)

*Course requirements are subject to change.