Preparation for Transfer as a Journalism or Fashion Media Major
The following sequences are suggested courses to take in your semesters prior to transferring to SMU as a journalism or fashion media major. For students attending a Texas public community college or university, Texas Common Course Numbers (TCCNS) are listed. If you are transferring from a college or university outside of Texas, click on the SMU course for a course description which may be used to select/compare courses at your current institution.
CC listings refer to SMU’s Common Curriculum, which all undergraduates are required to complete. Refer to the Common Curriculum Transfer Guide for a list of courses satisfying CC components. Interactive equivalency guides organized by transfer institution are available on the Transfer and Transition Services’ website.
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Journalism and Fashion Media Admission Requirements
Undergraduate students planning to major or minor in journalism must have completed 24 hours of study, and must complete the following core classes with a minimum combined 2.5 GPA with nothing lower than a C+ in any one of them:
Students must declare the major or minor before taking JOUR 2312 - News Reporting . JOUR 2312 and JOUR 2398 Introduction to Digital Media and Analytics are required before further journalism study, with the exception of Critical Studies courses. Students transferring from other universities must have completed equivalent courses and obtained the equivalent GPA in those courses before they can be considered a major candidate in the Division of Journalism.
Strong writing skills are essential for a major in journalism and, later, in the profession of journalism.
Preparing for a Smooth Transition
Transfer students who take time to prepare for their transition to Meadows are some of the most successful students. Following are a few important points to remember:
- The second language requirement of the Common Curriculum may be satisfied by 1) transferring two terms of college courses in the same world language, 2) placing out of four terms of world language by taking an SMU placement test or through AP or IB credit, or 3) being literate in a native language other than English.
- SMU accepts AP scores of 4 or 5.
- Compare Course Descriptions found in SMU’s University Catalog to course descriptions at your current institution to maximize your awarded transfer credits.
- For additional information on journalism majors, visit the department homepage.
- For more information about transferring to SMU, click here or call 214-768-3417.
B.A. in Journalism / B.A. in Fashion Media
SCHs = Semester Credit Hours
|
First Year
|
| Fall |
TCCN |
SCHs |
| WRTR 10XX - First Year Writing I |
ENGL 1301 |
3 |
| SPCH 10XX |
SPCH 1315 |
3 |
| CC Math Course |
Choose One: MATH 1324, MATH 1332, MATH 1325, MATH 1425, MATH 2413, MATH 2320, MATH 1342, BUSN 2305 |
3 |
| CC Breadth Course - Creativity and Aesthetics |
Choose One: ARTS 1301, ARTS 1316, ARTS 2316 , ARTS 2326, ARTS 2333, ARTS 2346, ARTS 2356, DRAM 1351, HUMA 1315, MUSI 1306 |
3 |
| World Language Course* |
4 |
| |
SCHs |
16 |
| Spring |
TCCN |
SCHs |
| WRTR 10YY - First Year Writing II |
ENGL 1302 |
3 |
| ECO 1311 - Principles of Microeconomics: Consumers, Firms, and Markets |
ECON 2302 |
3 |
| CC Breadth Course - Historical Contexts |
Choose One: ARTS 1303, ARTS 1304, HIST 1301, HIST 1302, HIST 2321, HIST 2322 |
3 |
| CC Breadth Course - Social and Behavioral Sciences |
Choose One: ANTH 2351, GOVT 2305, GOVT 2371, PSYC 2301, PSYC 2314, PSYC 2319, SOCI 1301 |
3 |
| World Language Course* |
4 |
| |
SCHs |
16 |
|
Second Year
|
| Fall |
TCCN |
SCHs |
| CC Breadth Course - Literary Analysis and Interpretation |
Choose One: ENGL 2321, ENGL 2322, ENGL 2323, ENGL 2326, ENGL 2327, ENGL 2328, ENGL 2331, ENGL 2332, ENGL 2333 |
3 |
| CC Breadth Course - Exploring Science |
Choose One: BIOL 1406, BIOL 1407, BIOL 1408, BIOL 1411, BIOL 2401, BIOL 2402, CHEM 1405, CHEM 1411, CHEM 1412, ENVR 1401, ENVR 1402, GEOL 1401, GEOL 1403, GEOL 1405, GEOL 1445, PHYS 1401, PHYS 1402, PHYS 1403, PHYS 1405, PHYS 1404, PHYS 1407, PHYS 1415, PHYS 1417, PHYS 2425, PHYS 2426 |
4 |
| Second major, minor or elective courses |
9 |
| |
SCHs |
16 |
| Spring |
TCCN |
SCHs |
| CC Breadth Course - Philosophical, Religious and Ethical Inquiry |
Choose One: PHIL 1301, PHIL 1304, PHIL 2303, PHIL 2306 |
3 |
| CC Breadth Course - Technological Advances and Society |
Choose One: COSC 1301/1401, BCIS 1305, COSC 1309 |
3 |
| Second major, minor or elective courses |
9 |
| |
SCHs |
15 |
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism - William J. O’Neil Business Program
SCHs = Semester Credit Hours
|
First Year
|
| Fall |
TCCN |
SCHs |
| WRTR 10XX - First Year Writing I |
ENGL 1301 |
3 |
| ECO 1311 - Principles of Microeconomics: Consumers, Firms, and Markets |
ECON 2302 |
3 |
| CC Math Course |
Choose One: MATH 1324, MATH 1332, MATH 1325, MATH 1425, MATH 2413, MATH 2320, MATH 1342, BUSN 2305 |
3 |
| CC Breadth Course - Creativity and Aesthetics |
Choose One: ARTS 1301, ARTS 1316, ARTS 2316 , ARTS 2326, ARTS 2333, ARTS 2346, ARTS 2356, DRAM 1351, HUMA 1315, MUSI 1306 |
3 |
| World Language Course* |
4 |
| |
SCHs |
16 |
| Spring |
TCCN |
SCHs |
| WRTR 10YY - First Year Writing II |
ENGL 1302 |
3 |
| ECO 1312 - Principles of Macroeconomics: Inflation, Recession, and Unemployment |
ECON 2301 |
3 |
| CC Breadth Course - Historical Contexts |
Choose One: ARTS 1303, ARTS 1304, HIST 1301, HIST 1302, HIST 2321, HIST 2322 |
3 |
| CC Breadth Course - Social and Behavioral Sciences |
Choose One: ANTH 2351, GOVT 2305, GOVT 2371, PSYC 2301, PSYC 2314, PSYC 2319, SOCI 1301 |
3 |
| World Language Course* |
4 |
| |
SCHs |
16 |
|
Second Year
|
| Fall |
TCCN |
SCHs |
| SPCH 10XX |
SPCH 1315 |
3 |
| CC Breadth Course - Literary Analysis and Interpretation |
Choose One: ENGL 2321, ENGL 2322, ENGL 2323, ENGL 2326, ENGL 2327, ENGL 2328, ENGL 2331, ENGL 2332, ENGL 2333 |
3 |
| CC Breadth Course - Exploring Science |
Choose One: BIOL 1406, BIOL 1407, BIOL 1408, BIOL 1411, BIOL 2401, BIOL 2402, CHEM 1405, CHEM 1411, CHEM 1412, ENVR 1401, ENVR 1402, GEOL 1401, GEOL 1403, GEOL 1405, GEOL 1445, PHYS 1401, PHYS 1402, PHYS 1403, PHYS 1405, PHYS 1404, PHYS 1407, PHYS 1415, PHYS 1417, PHYS 2425, PHYS 2426 |
4 |
| Second major, minor or elective courses |
6 |
| |
SCHs |
16 |
| Spring |
TCCN |
SCHs |
| CC Breadth Course - Philosophical, Religious and Ethical Inquiry |
Choose One: PHIL 1301, PHIL 1304, PHIL 2303, PHIL 2306 |
3 |
| CC Breadth Course - Technological Advances and Society |
Choose One: COSC 1301/1401, BCIS 1305, COSC 1309 |
3 |
| Second major, minor or elective courses |
9 |
| |
SCHs |
15 |
Note
*The second language requirement may be satisfied by (1) transferring two terms of college courses in the same world language, (2) placing out of four terms of a world language by taking an SMU placement test or through AP or IB credit, or (3) being literate in a native language other than English.
The Meadows Movement
Welcome to the Meadows School of the Arts! We’re excited you’re interested in transferring to SMU and majoring in Journalism. Established in 1969, the Meadows School is a nationally recognized arts education institution offering degrees in the communication, performing and visual arts.
Meadows graduates are found in top positions around the globe at major television networks, Town & Country, Los Angeles Clippers, Condé Nast and Burson-Marsteller; the chair of the National Endowment for the Arts; dance and theatre company founders and Oscar and Tony award winners; news producers and reporters for major networks; singers for the Met and musicians for major metropolitan symphonies; artists whose work is shown in the U.S. and abroad; directors and curators of museums and galleries; and more.
The Division of Journalism
Established in 1922, the Division of Journalism at SMU Meadows provides students with the intellectual, interpretive, practical and ethical skills needed to function as professionals in today’s digital world. Students gain hands-on experience in the high-definition Tony Pederson Broadcast Studio and convergence media lab producing content for broadcast, print and digital platforms. In addition to highly personalized classroom training, the program offers a wide array of practical learning opportunities: SMU-TV news programs (Spanish and English); sports, fashion, and lifestyle broadcasts; and the SMU Daily Campus online news site. The division also has the Fashion Media major to train professionals in all facets of fashion communication.
The Meadows Advantage
Located in Dallas, Top-Five Media Market
The Division’s award-winning faculty has considerable industry experience as reporters, editors, producers, consultants and authors, and many have earned honors including the Emmy Award and regional and national awards. Small class sizes (typically 12-1) ensure plenty of individual attention; stellar internships in Dallas and other major markets are plentiful; and the annual Sammons Lecture in Media Ethics and O’Neil Lecture in Business Journalism bring in top professionals in journalism and business to speak and interact with students.
Alumni
Journalism graduates of SMU hold positions in numerous media organizations, including:
- ABC, CBS and NBC News, Bloomberg News, ESPN, Fox News, CNN
- Dallas Cowboys
- The Dallas Morning News,Houston Chronicle
- Newsweek, American City Business Journals, The New York Times
- Top regional publications and network affiliate television stations across the U.S.
Internships
SMU is located in the largest media market in the Southwest and the No. 5 television market in the United States. A wide variety of internships are available in broadcast, print, digital, magazine, public relations and governmental affairs. Recent internships in Dallas and other major markets include: Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, Texas Rangers, Entertainment Tonight, The Insider, The Dallas Morning News, Marie Claire, D Magazine, Christian Dior, Goldman Sachs and more.
Study programs at American University in Washington, D.C., and SMU-in-London broaden students’ journalistic horizons.
The Journalism Majors
The Division of Journalism offers two bachelor of arts degrees - Journalism and Fashion Media - and a minor to prepare students for success in the dynamic, fast-changing world of journalism. In addition, Journalism and Fashion Media majors may choose a concentration in business journalism through the William J. O’Neil Program in Business Journalism, or a concentration in sports journalism.
Majors study cross-platform multimedia journalism, including broadcast, print and digital formats, supplemented by multiple hands-on practica and significant internship opportunities. Students are also taught the intellectual and theoretical skills they will need to help them interpret the world around them and understand the role of the media in society. They graduate as clear, concise thinkers and writers.
The major requires 37 credit hours within the division. A total of 80 credit hours must be taken outside the division; at least 65 of these hours must be in the arts and sciences. All journalism and fashion media majors must declare and complete a second major or a minor of their choosing, which must be outside the Division of Journalism.
B.A. in Fashion Media
SMU’s Fashion Media program prepares students to enter the growing field of fashion media, an increasingly significant segment of the trillion-dollar international fashion industry. Fashion media careers include opportunities in journalism, blogging, social media, public relations, event planning, styling and fashion photography. Dallas’ profile as a fashion center offers a rich laboratory in which students can sharpen their skills. Professional internship opportunities are available to all Fashion Media students as part of their coursework.
William J. O’Neil Business Program
This innovative interdisciplinary program includes courses in Meadows School and in the Cox School of Business. In addition to the 37 credit hours required for the journalism major, students wishing to concentrate in business and economics journalism complete a second Major in Business ; the Minor in Business Administration ; or the summer Minor in Business plus ECO 1311 and ECO 1312 . Students put into practice what they are learning about business, financial markets and economics in advanced journalism classes and in coverage of North Texas-based companies and the regional economy.
Minor in Journalism
The Minor in Journalism , consisting of 22 hours of coursework, provides a basic understanding of the role of the news media in American society and an introduction to the basic skills necessary for the practice of the field.
Honors in Journalism
Declared journalism majors with a GPA of 3.5 or better can apply to the journalism honors program. The honors program is highly selective and consists of honors coursework within the Division of Journalism and an honors thesis. Separate from the honors program, the top 10 percent of the graduating journalism class is invited for membership in Kappa Tau Alpha, the Journalism Mass Communication Honor Society.
SMU Degree
A degree from SMU is typically comprised of a minimum of 120 hours, 60 of which must be completed through SMU. Components of the degree include:
- Courses in your major.
- Courses required for the Common Curriculum (CC) .
- Elective courses. These electives may be used to add a second major or minor.
The Common Curriculum (CC)
The Common Curriculum is required of all undergraduate students and consists of three main components:
- Foundations - 6 hours of Writing courses, 3 hours of Quantitative Reasoning courses, proficiency in a second language.
- Breadth - 7 Breadth courses which may double count with majors and minors.
- Proficiencies and Experiences - 8 Proficiencies and Experiences requirements, met through coursework or approved, noncredit activities.
NOTE: If you transfer with 23 or fewer credit hours and/or transfer in your first year out of high school, transfer work earned prior to high school graduation (dual/concurrent credit) will not satisfy CC requirements.
Apply Now!
Click here for more information about transferring to SMU.
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