ATTENTION STUDENTS: IMPORTANT GRAD CHECK INFORMATION

ATTENTION STUDENTS: IMPORTANT ENROLLMENT INFORMATION

International undergraduate student application information.

UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION

The first step is admission to the University. Undergraduate students are officially admitted to the School after preparatory work in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or another accredited liberal arts institution.

To apply for admission to the J-School, complete both change-of-school forms. They are available n the Journalism Advising and Records Office, 201 Stauffer-Flint Hall, and online at right. Application deadlines are September 1 for spring and February 1 for summer or fall. There are two options for admission in the J-School:

1) DIRECT ADMISSION OF INCOMING FRESHMEN:
Qualifications: English ACT score of 33 or higher or Verbal SAT equivalent score and Composite ACT score of 30 or higher or equivalent SAT composite score, and high school GPA, unweighted, of 3.7 or above. A student who transfers one or more English courses or has Advanced Placement credit in English also must meet the ACT or SAT requirements stated above to be directly admitted.

The directly-admitted student must maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA and will be placed on probation in the School if the cumulative GPA falls below 2.5. Failure to achieve a 2.5 cumulative GPA in one semester of probation may lead to dismissal from the School. To retain admission to the School, the student must fulfill the courses required for admission by the completion of 45 hours:

• English 101 or exemption, 102 or 105 and one of the following: English 203, 205, 209, 210 or 211. (If all English courses are taken at KU, the required English GPA is 2.67. When any English courses are transferred, students must earn a 3.0 English GPA or have a 2.67 English GPA and English ACT score of 25 or higher.)
• Communication Studies 130 or 230 exemption.
• One of the following Math courses: 105, 106, 111, 115, 121, 141, 365, or Biol 570.
• Completion through level two of a foreign language (proficiency through the fourth level is required for graduation.)
• Economics 104 or 142 or 144.
• A principal course in a humanities department.
• A principal course in a social science department.
• A 4-5 hour natural science course with a lab.
• Journalism 101 with a grade of 2.0 or higher.

2) REGULAR ADMISSION:
A student who is not eligible for direct admission will be admitted to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences as a pre-Journalism major. A student may apply when completing 45 hours in the semester of application, including required courses (listed above under direct admission of incoming freshmen), with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.

For students entering college prior to Fall 2006, click here for admission options into the School of Journalism.

ADMISSION IS COMPETITIVE
The number of students admitted each semester depends on the number grad-uating in the preceding semester and the School’s overall capacity. Candidate selection is based on GPA. Ninety percent of available spaces will be filled by candidates with the highest overall GPAs. The remaining ten percent will be selected from among those who petition by the deadline, provided their overall GPA is a minimum of 2.50. To petition for admission, students should consult the Journalism Advising and Records Office. In reviewing petitions, the School considers elements such as ACT scores, socioeconomic factors, academic progress and commitment to the profession.

Students should enroll in JOUR 101 Media and Society during their first two semesters. Pre-journalism students are encouraged to become involved in campus media and student organizations at the School.

See J-School Frequently Asked Questions for more information. If you have questions about the application process, please contact the Journalism Advising and Records Office in 201 Stauffer-Flint.

To make an advising appointment, click here for the reservation system instructions (.pdf).

UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM

Four courses form the core of the undergraduate curriculum, two at the foundation level and two at the upper level. After completing the foundation-level core courses, the student selects a track, either News/Information or Strategic Communications. Each includes courses to develop critical and creative thinking ability and skills required by specific fields in journalism and mass communications. Undergraduate journalism majors earn a Bachelor of Science degree.

1) The News/Information track prepares students for careers in reporting, writing and editing for the media, including newspapers, magazines, radio, television and the Internet. At the capstone level, students apply their learning by working on campus media. If you see yourself as a reporter, writer or editor--online, broadcast or in print--then the News/Information track is for you. You will gain hands-on experience in communicating information to the public and learn principles of news judgment. You will test yourself as a broadcaster, editor or producer on student media and internships. You'll also have the opportunity to enroll in advanced courses in writing, editing, visual communication, or media management.

2) The Strategic Communications track prepares students to work in media sales and management and marketing communications fields, including advertising and public relations. At the capstone level, students apply their learning to professional practice in media sales and management or strategic campaign development. If you can see yourself developing advertising, marketing, or public relations campaigns, selling ideas, developing promotions for clients who have products or services to sell, or working for corporations, governments, profit or non-profit agencies, you will choose the Strategic Communications track. Within that track you may elect to specialize in advertising, public relations, or media management. In addition to classwork, you may enhance your skills by working on advertising and promotion staffs, or student media, in student organizations, and on internships.

Courses: Undergraduate course descriptions

For more information on advising, faculty mentoring and enrollment, please click here.

To make an advising appointment, click here for the reservation system instructions (.pdf)