PROFESSIONAL!JOURNALISMHANDBOOK

2014-15

OVERVIEW Students interested in media careers will find themselves in the heart of it all at the School of Journalism & Mass Communication (SJMC). Located in one of the nation’s top media markets, the SJMC is highly regarded among journalism schools. The School’s connections to the dynamic Twin Cities media community provide students with opportunities to learn from professionals in the field and to work in media organizations during school and beyond. The award-winning and internationally renowned faculty earn high praise from students for their teaching ability. WHAT IS MASS COMMUNICATION?

Is mass communication the study of communicating with the masses? Well, yes. But there’s more to it than that. Mass communication is about storytelling with strategy and purpose. The study of mass communication is centered around how messages persuade and affect the behavior and opinion of the person or people receiving the content.

Mass communication has become a vital and seamless part of everyday human life. Today’s society is dependent on mass communication —from morning television news to social media feeds and blog posts; from personalized advertising messages to branded content sponsored by a specific company. Messages sent by mass communicators help inform the public and often help set agendas and public opinion. Mass communicators help people develop an understanding of social problems and make informed decisions. The general public is dependent on mass communication for information about goods and services available for purchase or use.

Trained mass communicators know the best way for their messages to reach the most people or the people most interested in the messages. Through journalism, mass communicators use newspapers, television, radio, magazines, blogs, websites, mobile apps and social media to reach their publics. Through strategic communication, public relations or advertising practitioners craft strategic messages about a product, brand, company or service. With the diversification and evolution of mass communication, the field has expanded to a wide variety of social media and digital applications.

The use of effective mass communication channels is becoming even more important in today’s fast-paced and global environment. The study and implications of mass communication, as well as the understanding of effective, ethical and diverse messaging, has never been more important.

At the University of Minnesota School of Journalism & Mass Communication, students gain the knowledge needed to become effective, informed, strategic and ethical mass communicators — regardless of the medium.

PROGRAMS & STUDENTS SJMC students earn a B.A. in Journalism in one of three program tracks:

• Professional Journalism – Prepares students for careers such as news reporting, writing, editing, producing and photojournalism in traditional and emerging media.

• Professional Strategic Communication – Prepares students for careers in advertising, public relations, corporate, government, nonprofit and advocacy communications.

• Mass Communication – Prepares students who wish to study the social, political, economic, and legal aspects of mass communication.

OTHER SJMC PROGRAMS

• BA/MA in Health Communication—Students earn a BA in Journalism—Strategic Communication track and an MA in Health Communication after a fifth year of study. For more information, visit http://www.sjmc.umn.edu.

• Mass Communication Minor – Study the social, political, economic and legal aspects of mass communication. For more information, visit sjmc.umn.edu/ugrad/masscomm/minor.html.

• New Media Minor – Study multiple perspectives of how information (content) is created in new media and the role and impact of those media on human communication. For more information, visit sjmc.umn.edu/ugrad/inmsMinor.html.

• Individualized Degree Programs – Students may also include Mass Communication as a concentration area in an individualized degree program. For more information, visit idp.class.umn.edu/ or http://cce.umn.edu/Inter-College-Program/.

Where our grads are working…

Journalism Track

Company Job Title Location Appleton Post Crescent Reporter Appleton, WI Bismarck Tribune Health and Education Reporter Bismarck, North Dakota Canterbury Park Marketing Coordinator Shakopee, MN Clear Channel Radio Producer Madison, WI Facebook Journalist Program Manager New York, NY Guitar World Magazine Interviewer/Blogger Oakland, CA KARE-11, Metromix Freelance Reporter Golden Valley, MN Kenya National TV Multimedia Journalist Kenya KGUN-TV, ABC Affiliate Reporter Tucson, AZ KING 5-TV (NBC) Assignment Editor / Online

Web Producer Seattle, WA

KXII, Fox Affiliate News Anchor Texoma, TX Las Vegas Sun Reporter Las Vegas, Nevada Lola Red PR Publicity Director Minneapolis, MN Lucky Magazine Fashion News Contributor New York, NY Mankato Free Press Reporter Mankato, MN

Minnesota Department of Education

Deputy Communications Director

Minnesota

Minnesota Department of Health Community Outreach Worker Minneapolis, MN Mpls.St.Paul Magazine Associate Editor Minneapolis, MN Outdoor Life Magazine Content Editor New York, NY Phoenix Downtown Journal; Living Social

Blogger; Freelance writer Phoenix, AZ

RedBrick Health Communications Coordinator Minneapolis, MN SecureConnect Marketing Coordinator Minneapolis, MN St. Cloud Times Reporter St. Cloud, MN Stage 29 Productions Production Assistant Los Angeles, CA Star Tribune Multimedia Producer Minneapolis, MN Star Tribune Sports Reporter Minneapolis, MN Target Business Analyst Minneapolis, MN The Wall Street Journal News Editor for Mobile

Content New York, NY

The Washington Post Visual Journalist Washington, D.C. Thomson Reuters Social media writer Eagan, MN Tiger Oak Publications Web Editor Minneapolis, MN WDAZ-TV Reporter Grand Forks, ND WDIO-TV Reporter Duluth, MN Wonacott Communications, LLC Assistant Account Executive Los Angeles, CA ! ! ! ! ! !!

APPLYING FOR SJMC MAJOR STATUS The School of Journalism & Mass Communication is part of the College of Liberal Arts and is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC). Students who wish to major in journalism must apply for admission to the SJMC after they have been admitted to the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) at the University of Minnesota. Students who plan to complete a degree in a college other than CLA may add journalism as a second major. APPLICATION DEADLINE Applications are accepted twice each academic year, at the start of fall and spring semesters. The Fall 2014 application deadline is Friday, September 12, 2014 at 4 p.m. The Spring 2015 application deadline is Friday, January 20, 2015 at 4 p.m. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Students are eligible to apply for major status, once they have:

1. Completed or enrolled in JOUR 1001, earning a grade of “C” or higher. 2. Completed or enrolled in 30 letter-graded semester credits (28 letter-graded credits for

students enrolled in CLA 1001/1002), including a minimum of 13 credits at the University of Minnesota. NOTE: Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate credits do not count towards these required credit totals.

3. Attended or viewed a required Premajor Information Session To be competitive for the major, you should have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Freshmen admitted to the University Honors Program will be directly admitted to the major if they request admission during their first semester. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS To apply for major status, you must submit the following items to 110 Murphy Hall by the second Friday of the fall or spring semester:

1. An Application Form 2. A written Statement of Intent 3. A Sample Major Program Plan/Timeline 4. ACT/SAT or English Usage test scores.

In addition, the SJMC Student Services office will pull your student course report, which lists course taken and grades earned at transfer institutions and at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Before applying, be sure all your grades have been reported to your UMN-TC academic record. To view more detailed information about the application process, including application deadlines, visit: sjmc.umn.edu/apply.

AUTO ADMITTANCE FOR QUALIFYING STUDENTS Students who meet the required criteria AND submit the requested application materials in steps 1-5 by the application deadline will undergo a streamlined review by the Director of Undergraduate Studies, who will look at the statement of intent and sample major program plan. This process will allow students to be admitted to the major as early as the second semester of their first year. Students are eligible to apply for auto admit major status, if they:

1. Have completed coursework at the University of Minnesota. NOTE: Transfer students are only eligible for auto admission after their first semester on campus.

2. Have a 3.25 cumulative GPA. 3. Completed JOUR 1001 and earned a “B” or higher. 4. Completed 15 letter-graded UMNTC semester credits (or for university freshmen have

completed 14 letter-graded credits and CLA 1001). 5. Have a 24 or higher on the writing portion of the ACT or a 550 or higher on the writing

portion of the SAT. 6. Attended or viewed a Premajor Information Session.

Auto admitted students must have completed 30 letter-graded credits (28 credits for students taking CLA 1001/1002) by the end of the semester they are admitted. To apply, students must submit the materials listed above, under application requirements. WHAT IS THE STATEMENT OF INTENT? The Statement of Intent is a 1 ½ to 2-page double-spaced essay that demonstrates your ability to clearly express your academic and professional goals in writing. You can learn more about the Statement of Intent at: sjmc.umn.edu/apply. WHAT IS THE SAMPLE PROGRAM PLAN/TIMELINE? The Sample Program Plan/Timeline is a form you will use to list the professional and context courses you would like to take for the major. The form includes a grid you will use to schedule your major courses in appropriate semesters. WHAT IS THE ENGLISH USAGE TEST? IS IT REQUIRED? The English Usage Test (EUT) is an alternative option for students who either do not have ACT/SAT scores or prefer not to use them. The EUT is a free, 40-question multiple-choice test on punctuation, spelling, grammar, word choice and reading comprehension. Students will also be asked to summarize a newspaper editorial and respond to it in their own words. An ACT, SAT or EUT score is required for application. SJMC Student Services will administer the EUT on the week of the application deadline. Students can sign up for a test time in 110 Murphy, beginning the first day of the semester.

COMMON REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL SJMC MAJORS The following requirements apply to all SJMC majors admitted to the major Fall 2012 to the present. Preparatory Course – JOUR 1001 (or JOUR 1001H): Introduction to Mass Communication (3 cr)

Note: All students must earn a grade of “C” or better in JOUR 1001. For all other major courses, including Supporting Courses, grades of “C-” or higher are required.

Core Course – JOUR 3004W (or JOUR 3004V): Information for Mass Communication (3 cr) 10 professional and context courses (30 cr) Supporting Courses (12 cr). See below. Senior Project For SJMC majors, the CLA senior project is satisfied by two required courses on the Major Program Plan/Timeline. A minimum of 36 credits (maximum of 48) is required for the major. A minimum of 72 non-journalism credits is required for the major. !

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SELECTING YOUR SUPPORTING COURSES All SJMC majors must develop an area of expertise outside of journalism through a series of supporting courses that concentrate on a single subject area. Courses from any university department may be used to meet this requirement if the courses provide the background useful for future work in the profession. For instance, you might want to build a core of courses focused on business, politics or design. Note: Supporting Courses must be 3xxx level or higher, taken A-F, with grades of C- or higher. The Supporting Coursework Requirement can be fulfilled by:

• Completing a second major in another department • Completing a minor in another department • Developing a series of courses in different departments but with a common theme, approved by

a faculty mentor. More information, including a proposal form, can be found at sjmc.umn.edu under Major Tracks and Minors.

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PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISM TRACK OVERVIEW The professional journalism track prepares students for careers such as news reporting, writing, editing and producing, feature writing, design, graphics and photojournalism in traditional and emerging media. The program offers a variety of professional courses at the beginning, intermediate and advanced levels that fit these interests. You should familiarize yourself with the range of professional courses offered and plan your program so that you can move smoothly from beginning courses through the more advanced ones. Note: Prerequisites for journalism courses are enforced at registration. Requirements for this program track: JOUR 1001 (or 1001H): Introduction to Mass Communication (3 cr) (Meets social sciences core requirement and technology and society theme) JOUR 3004W (or 3004V): Information for Mass Communication (3 cr) JOUR 3101: News Reporting and Writing (3 cr) Five additional professional courses (15 cr) Two of these courses must be 4xxx or 5xxx level. Four context courses (12 cr), including JOUR 3776 and at least one course at the 4xxx/5xxx level Non-journalism Supporting Course Requirement (12 cr): All SJMC majors are required to develop an area of expertise outside of journalism through a series of supporting courses that concentrate on a single subject area. Senior Project: The two required 4xxx or 5xxx professional (skills) courses fulfill the CLA major project requirement.

Up to four optional courses (professional or context) are allowed for a maximum of 48 journalism credits. Basic Technology Skills Requirement Every SJMC professional journalism student should have familiarity with basic technology skills behind today’s media platforms, including blogging software, audio slideshows and video. Instructors of basic reporting courses will encourage multiplatform storytelling through assignments, in-class instruction and direction to outside resources. Students should discuss with faculty mentors the best way to acquire that technology literacy.

CHOOSING YOUR COURSES All professional journalism track students must take JOUR 3101, a beginning news writing and reporting course. Students interested in reporting/writing/editing would then take JOUR 3121 (Intermediate

News Reporting). You may also want to take an editing course (JOUR 3155) TV, Radio, and Digital News Reporting course (JOUR 3451) Interactive and Data Journalism (JOUR 3103), Multimedia Production and Storytelling (JOUR 3102), or the Murphy News Service (JOUR 4193). You might follow with either JOUR 5131 or JOUR 5155, courses that teach in-depth journalism and database reporting methods.

Students interested in feature writing/editing follow JOUR 3101 with JOUR 3173W (Magazine Writing), although they could still benefit from taking JOUR 3121 and one of the 4xxx/5xxx reporting courses. You should supplement those courses with JOUR 5174 (Magazine Editing and Production).

Students interested in reporting/producing for video news follow 3101 with JOUR 3102 (Multimedia Production and Storytelling) and then move from JOUR 3121 (Intermediate News Reporting) and JOUR 3451 (TV, Radio, and Digital News Reporting) to JOUR 4451, a course in advanced TV, radio, and digital news reporting. Students typically also take JOUR 4452, a course in newscast producing. Additionally, students might take JOUR 4193 (Murphy News Service).

Students interested in design/graphics/photojournalism may choose among several skills courses after JOUR 3101, depending on interests. Those courses could include JOUR 3102 (Multimedia Production and Storytelling), JOUR 3103 (Interactive and Data Journalism), JOUR 3155 (Editing for Print and Digital Audiences), JOUR 3321 (Media Design), and, on a more advanced level, JOUR 4302 (Electronic Photojournalism), JOUR 4303 (Documentary Photojournalism), or JOUR 5174 (Magazine Editing and Production).

Note: These are merely examples of typical course flows. Media convergence is creating a market for journalists with broader skill sets. As such, you might want to create a more varied program. Finally, program plans allow room for at least one skills course in a more specific area. Those include JOUR 4171, a course on covering the arts, and JOUR 4992, which is a practicum course taught at a professional news organization. You should be on the lookout for these special course opportunities as they arise. APPROVED COURSES FOR STUDYING ABORAD Study Abroad in Rome: Jour 3745 and Jour 4259 Study Abroad in Florence: Jour 4274 and Jour 4259 Study and Internships in London: Jour 3xxx-level context courses DIS - Copenhagen: Jour 3/4xxx-level context courses, Jour 3275, Jour 4259, Jour 4302, Jour 4990, Jour 4992 Australearn: Jour 3xxx context courses University of Wollongong, Australia: Jour 3xxx context courses

Professional Journalism Track Preparatory Course Required: Jour 1001 Introduction to Mass Communication Core Course Required: Jour 3004W/V Information for Mass Communication Professional (Skills) Courses 18 credits, must include Jour 3101 and two 4/5xxx level skills courses

Course Prerequisite(s) Jour 3101 News Reporting and Writing 3004 or concurrent Jour 3102 Multimedia Production and Storytelling 3004 or concurrent, [3101 or concurrent or 3279W

or concurrent or 3241 or concurrent] Jour 3103 Interactive and Data Journalism (fall

only) 3004, [3101 or JOUR 3279W]

Jour 3121 Intermediate News Reporting 3004, 3101 Jour 3155 Editing for Print and Digital Audiences

(spring only) 3004, 3101

Jour 3173W Magazine Writing 3004, [3101 or 3279W] Jour 3321 Media Design 3004 or concurrent Jour 3451 TV, Radio, and Digital News Reporting 3004, [3101 or 3279W] Jour 3/4/5990 Special Topics in Mass Comm:

Professional Jour major

Jour 4171 Covering the Arts (spring only) 3004, 3101 Jour 4193 Brovald-Sim Community Newspaper

Practicum: Murphy News Service [3004, 3101] or [3004, 3201]

Jour 4302 Electronic Photojournalism 3004, 3102 Jour 4303 Documentary Photojournalism (spring

only) 3004, 4302

Jour 4451 Advanced TV, Radio, and Digital News Reporting (fall only)

3004, 3121 or concurrent, 3451

Jour 4452 Electronic Newscast Producing (spring only)

3004, 3121 or concurrent, 3451

Jour 4992 Field Based Practicum Jour major; by application Jour 5131 In-depth Reporting (fall only) 3004, 3121 Jour 5155 Database Reporting

(spring only) 3004, 3103, 3121

Jour 5174 Magazine Editing and Production 3004, [3155 or 3173 or 3321 or 4302]

Context Courses Jour 3776: Mass Communication Law, plus three selected from the following, with at least one at Jour 4/5xxx level: Jour 3005 Mass Media Effects Jour 3006 Visual Communication Jour 3007 The Media in American History and Law: Case Studies (once a year) Jour 3201 Principles of Strategic Communication Jour 3551 Economics of New Media (once a year) Jour 3552 Internet and Global Society (once a year) Jour 3614 History of Media Communication (once a year) Jour 3/5615 History of the Documentary (fall only) Jour 3741 Diversity and Mass Communication (fall only) Jour 3745 Mass Media and Popular Culture Jour 3771 Mass Media Ethics: Moral Reasoning and Case Studies Jour 3775 Administrative Law & Regulation for Strategic Communication (spring only) Jour 3776 Mass Communication Law Jour 3796 Mass Media and Politics (fall only) Jour 3/4/5991 Special Topics in Mass Communication: Context Jour 4251 Psychology of Advertising Jour 4272 Interactive Advertising (spring only) Jour 4274W Advertising in Society Jour 4551 New Media and Culture Jour 4721 Mass Media and Society (once a year) Jour 4733H Honors: Thesis Seminar (fall only) Jour 4801 Global Communication (once a year) Jour 5501 Communication, Public Opinion, and Social Media (fall only) Jour 5541 Mass Communication and Public Health (fall only) Jour 5542 Theory-Based Health Message Design (spring only) Jour 5552 Law of Internet Communication (once a year) Jour 5601W History of Journalism (once a year) Jour 5606W Literary Aspects of Journalism (spring only) Jour 5725 Management of Media Organizations (once a year) Jour 5777 Contemporary Problems in Freedom of Speech and Press (fall only) Jour 4993H Honors: Projects Also offered during May and Summer (all courses contingent on enrollment) May Term: Jour 3745 (Mass Media & Popular Culture) Jour 3771 (Mass Media Ethics)

General Summer Session: Jour 3004W (Information for Mass Comm) Jour 3201 (Principles of Strategic Communication) Jour 3321 (Media Design) Jour 4551 (New Media and Culture)

TIPS FOR SCHEDULING YOUR COURSES

• A minimum of four semesters will be required to include all major courses you have taken or plan to take on your timeline (including the semester you take 1001).

• Start with the semester you enrolled in JOUR 1001 and take JOUR 3004W in the next semester.

• Now schedule your professional (skills) courses for each semester. Allow one semester for

beginning courses and at least two semesters to move through intermediate and advanced courses. Intermediate courses usually have one prerequisite course, and advanced courses usually have two or more prerequisites. Check to make sure you have scheduled the appropriate prerequisite courses before putting intermediate or advanced courses on your timeline. Also, make sure you schedule advanced courses only during semesters when they are offered.

• If JOUR 3102 is on your program plan, take it concurrently with JOUR 3101 or the

following semester.

• Next, add your context courses. Check carefully to make certain you are scheduling your context courses in semesters when they are usually offered. Make sure you have included the required course, JOUR 3776, and at least one 4/5XXX context course on your plan.

• Select the supporting course option on your Major Program Plan/Timeline you plan to

complete: minor, second major or the thematic option. If you have not yet decided how you will complete the supporting course requirement, these courses can be added at a later date. However, you must consult with a faculty mentor to have your supporting courses approved and entered in APAS before your senior year.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

• Try not to schedule more than two professional courses or a total of three journalism courses in any one semester.

• If you are planning to study abroad, indicate this on your timeline by writing “Study

Abroad” in the semester you think you will be going. Even if you do not know which semester, you plan to study abroad, indicate one.

• Very few major courses are offered during summer session. Be sure to check the course

availability list before scheduling a major course in summer session. Also, keep in mind that summer courses may be cancelled if they are under enrolled.

• You do not have to include or take any optional courses for the major. If you do plan to

take optional courses, indicate which course(s) you will take and enter them on your timeline.

SAMPLE Professional Journalism Track

Name: _____________________________________

Email: _____________________________________

Student ID: _______________ Date: ____________ Major requirements

A minimum of 36 (maximum of 48) journalism credits is required.

A minimum of 72 non-journalism credits is required.

12 credits of non-journalism supporting coursework is required.

Instructions

1) Review Course Profiles (http://sjmc.umn.edu/profiles) and prerequisites for professional courses. 2) Complete the Major Program Plan section below indicating the courses you will take to complete the major. 3) Next, use the Major Program Timeline below to indicate the term you will take each course on your plan. 4) There should be a minimum of 12 courses in your sample plan. 5) List only Journalism courses in the sample plan.

Fall _____ Spring_____ Summer _____

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Fall _____ Spring_____ Summer _____

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Fall _____ Spring_____ Summer _____

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Fall _____ Spring_____ Summer _____

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Preparatory Course (3 credits)

Jour 1001

SJMC Core Course (3 credits)

Jour 3004W or 3004V

Professional (Skills) Courses (18 credits)

Jour 3101

__________________

__________________

__________________

(4/5xxx) ___________

(4/5xxx) ___________

The two 4/5xxx level Professional (Skills) Courses will complete the CLA Senior Project Requirement.

Context Courses (12 credits)

Jour 3776

__________________

__________________

(4/5xxx) ___________

Honors Students must include Jour 4733H in Context Area.

Supporting Program 3/4/5xxx non-journalism

(12 credits, A-F)

Minor in:

_________________

Second major in:

_________________

Thematic program (faculty approval required)

Optional Journalism Courses __________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

Major Program Plan Major Program Timeline

Sample Program Plan

You’ve Been Admitted! Now What? After you have applied to the Journalism major and have been admitted to the program, you will be required to attend a New Major Planning Session. Prepare for the New Major Planning Session by doing the following:

• Familiarize yourself with the requirements for your major track

• Think about courses you might want to take by reviewing courses for different interest areas and the lists of professional and context courses

• For those courses of interest to you, read the Course Profiles which can be found on the

SJMC website. Course Profiles contain considerable information about prerequisites, course objectives, competencies you will develop in the course and the types of assignments and exams typically included in the course. Reading a variety of Course Profiles will help you to understand how the courses fit together in the school’s curriculum.

Next Steps to Declare Your Major

• At the New Major Planning Session, talk with the a faculty mentor about your interests and your goals for your time in the School of Journalism & Mass Communication and finalize your plan with them.

• Obtain a faculty mentor signature on your plan.

• Consider signing up for a one-on-one appointment with a SJMC faculty mentor the week

following the New Major Planning Session to address any lingering questions you have.

• After the New Major Planning Session, drop your plan off in room 110 Murphy. Rebecca Rassier will contact you if any corrections are needed.

• A copy of your final program plan will be emailed to your UMN account. Additional

copies will not be available in 110 Murphy.

• Sign up to receive the Murphy Weekly on the SJMC website. To sign up, email listserv@lists.umn.edu with “sub jour-majors First Name Last Name” in the body of the e-mail.

After your plan is approved

• Save your approved Program Plan/Timeline for future reference.

• Enter your course timeline in Graduation Planner, so you also have access to your planned courses: plan.umn.edu.

• Check your APAS report here frequently to review your progress toward the major

• Take time to familiarize yourself with the official SJMC policies

GENERAL SJMC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES You are responsible for knowing these policies and procedures. You should contact the School of Journalism & Mass Communication Student Services Center (110 Murphy Hall) with any questions. Accreditation Requirement A minimum of 72 credits in courses outside journalism and mass communication must be completed in a 120-credit degree program. Amendments to your program plan Remember to request program amendments from your faculty mentor or Rebecca Rassier for any courses not on your original Major Program Plan/Timeline BEFORE you register for a new course. An amendment is not required to make changes to your timeline. Conduct and Academic Integrity Familiarize yourself with the University of Minnesota policies related to Student Conduct and Academic Integrity. To review the policies and related FAQs, visit the Office for Student Conduct and Academic Integrity at umn.edu/oscai. SJMC faculty take issues of academic conduct and academic integrity very seriously. Course Prerequisites Check the online class schedule for journalism class prerequisites. If you register for a course and you do not have the prerequisites, you will be required to drop the class. Most prerequisites are enforced at registration. Grades You must take all major courses, including supporting courses, on an A-F grading basis. A grade of C- or higher is required in all major and supporting courses. A grade of C or higher is required in JOUR 1001. A minimum GPA of 2.00 in the major and a cumulative GPA of 2.00 are required for graduation. First Day of Class You must attend the first day of class. Students who are absent on the first day of class may lose their spots to other students unless approval is obtained in advance from the instructor for an intended absence. Grievances Students who wish to appeal non-admission to the major, report discrimination or harassment, or discuss other grievances should submit a written statement describing the grievance or incident to the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Except under unusual circumstances, the formal appeal should be preceded by a discussion with the person or persons involved. Appeals should be timely. You may also wish to contact the Student Conflict Resolution Center. Visit the SCRC website at www.sos.umn.edu.

Online and Distance Learning (ODL) Courses ODL courses will apply to the major if they are listed on the approved Major Program Plan/Timeline and if they are taken for letter grades, earning grades of C- or higher. SJMC REGISTRATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Here is What We are Asking You To Do:

• Register on time. • Register only for courses you plan to take. • Cancel any courses that you decide not to take as soon as you are certain you will not

want the class. This will allow us to admit eligible students from the waitlists while they still have time to adjust their class schedules if necessary.

• You may not skip class to register. Who is Teaching Each Section?

• SJMC hires dozens of adjunct instructors each year to teach many of our courses. • The names of adjuncts assigned to specific sections are entered into the Course Schedule

as soon as possible, but sometimes those personnel decisions haven’t been finalized before registration begins.

• We cannot answer questions about who is assigned to specific sections before the information is entered into the Course Schedule.

When a Course is “Closed,”

• you should place yourself on the course waitlist. • if there are available seats in other sections of the same course, enroll in one of the

sections with open seats or put your name on multiple wait lists. • do not wait until the first day because you think the section you prefer will open up then.

If you take this risk and the course does not open up, there is very little we can do to help you once classes have begun.

• any student with a place in a closed course who does not attend the first day of class will lose his/her seat to a student on the waitlist.

If You are on a Course Waitlist,

• you must attend the first class meeting for that course in order to be eligible for an open seat if one becomes available.

• your place on the waitlist for a course DOES NOT correspond to your place on the priority list for admittance to that course.

Authority to Assign Students on the Waitlist to Open Seats

• SJMC Student Services staff members are solely authorized to admit students from waitlists into courses with available seats. Admittance from the waitlist is based on a number of criteria that can only be determined by the staff in the SJMC Student Services Center.

• Individual faculty members teaching courses do not have the authority to admit students from the waitlist into their course if there are available spaces on the first class day. DO

NOT make a direct appeal for a seat in a closed course to the faculty member teaching the course.

• Faculty members are instructed to submit the names of the enrolled students who attended the course and any students from the waitlist who attended and are eligible for the course to the staff in the SJMC Student Services Center in 110 Murphy.

• SJMC will not accept petitions to be admitted to a closed course. • Repeated attempts to appeal to a faculty member, the SJMC Student Services Center staff

or other SJMC, College or University personnel about admittance to a course, or attempts to persuade enrolled students to switch sections with you, or to try to manipulate in any other way the enrollment process, will not be tolerated.

Requesting Amendments to Update your Program Plan

• Majors should remember to request program amendments for any courses not on your original plan before you register for a new course.

• Meet with your faculty mentor to request the program amendment and remember to bring a copy of your SJMC program plan and your APAS report to the meeting.

UM Classroom Scheduling Policy

• Colleges and departments must distribute classes evenly throughout the day and throughout the week.

• It may not be possible for journalism majors to schedule all their classes on a Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday meeting pattern in any semester, or to schedule classes exclusively in the morning or afternoon.

• SJMC will not accept petitions or appeals for admittance to courses based on a preference for a Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday meeting pattern or preference for time of day.

Getting in to Courses Reserved for Journalism Majors

• Non-majors must attend the first day of class to determine if space is available. • If space is available on the first day and the instructor believes you have appropriate

academic or professional background for the class, the SJMC Student Services staff in 110 Murphy Hall will be notified later that day.

making themost of your

time at

SJMCBE INFORMED

Subscribe to the Murphy Weekly and READ each week. The Weekly includes important student services information, job and internship postings, and announcements about events and deadlines.

FREELANCE/WORK FOR THE MINNESOTA DAILY

News or business side —or for The Wake, KUOM (Radio K) or other student magazines or literary journals. Having experience in campus media will put you ahead of the competition in the job market.

DEVELOP A PORTFOLIO OF WORKNews clips, newsletters for a student club or church group, posters you have prepared, announcements for events, etc—anything that was prepared for an audience can go into your portfolio.

REGISTER AT YOUR QUEUE TIME

Follow the “Registration in SJMC Professional Courses” guidelines found in the Undergraduate Handbook.

PARTICIPATE IN THE SJMC ALUMNI SOCIETY MENTOR PROGRAM

In the program, a student is matched with a professional in the community who serves as a mentor. Applications are due in the fall and the mentorship takes place throughout the school year. Mentorships are not for credit, but are a great opportunity for seniors to make connections and network as they prepare to graduate.

APPLY FOR SJMC SCHOLARSHIPS

More than $100,000 is distributed every year. Applications are due at the end of January and the application is short. In addition to a WXVSRK�EGEHIQMG�TVS½PI��XLI�VIZMI[IVW�EVI�looking for students who are engaged outside the classroom (media experience, internships, student groups, and volunteering).

CHECK YOUR APAS

Check your APAS report after registering JSV�GPEWWIW�XS�GSR½VQ�XLEX�]SYV�VIKMWXVEXMSR�corresponds with your approved program; if you need to make amendments (changes to your program), check in with Journalism advising (your faculty mentor and/or 110 Murphy Hall). Absolutely check your APAS EJXIV�]SY�VIKMWXIV�JSV�]SYV�½REP�WIQIWXIV ��MJ�there are areas in red, see the appropriate advistor (Journalism or CLA) BEFORE the start of classes.JOIN STUDENT GROUPS

Society of Professional Journalists, Ad Club, National Student Advertising Competition, Public Relations Student Society of America, Magazine Club, Alliance for Women in Media, Ski U Media or PRISM (a multicultural student club for all tracks). Student groups offer a great way to get involved in the school and community, as well as providing multiple networking opportunities.

START LOOKING FOR INTERNSHIPS

Internships (and jobs) are posted on Goldpass and you can post your resume there as well WS�IQTPS]IVW�GER�½RH�]SY��'0%�'EVIIV�Services can help you polish your resume).

CREATE A LINKEDIN PROFILE

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INVESTIGATE STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNTIES AND PLAN EARLY

Many programs offer journalism-related courses that may transfer back to meet SJMC requirements. You will need to plan carefully both the courses you take at the SJMC and abroad to maximize your options. For example, many study abroad courses are approved as 3xxx-level context courses, so you want to plan carefully the 3xxx-level context courses you take at the SJMC. Many study abroad programs also incorporate an internship at an ad agency, the BBC, a television station, a newspaper, and so on. -RXIVIWXIH�WXYHIRXW�QYWX�½VWX�EXXIRH�E�0IEVRMRK�%FVSEH�½VWX�WXIT�QIIXMRK�LXXT���[[[�YQEFVSEH�YQR�IHY�WXYHIRXW�TLT�

USEFUL LINKS Boynton Health Services http://www.bhs.umn.edu Center for Writing http://www.writing.umn.edu CLA Career Services Office http://www.clacareer.umn.edu CLA Student Services http://class.umn.edu College of Liberal Arts (CLA) http://cla.umn.edu Disability Resource Center http://www.ds.umn.edu GoldPASS Job Search Site goldpass.umn.edu International Student and Scholar Services http://www.isss.umn.edu Learning Abroad http://www.UMabroad.umn.edu One Stop Student Services onestop.umn.edu Student Academic Success Services http://www.sass.umn.edu Student Conflict Resolution Center http://www.sos.umn.edu University Counseling and Consulting Services http://www.uccs.umn.edu University Honors Program http://www.honors.umn.edu University of Minnesota Alumni Association http://www.minnesotaalumni.org

CONNECT WITH US

SJMC on Facebook facebook.com/umnsjmc

SJMC on Twitter twitter.com/umn_sjmc

SJMC on Tumblr umnsjmc.tumblr.com Murphy Weekly The Murphy Weekly is an email digest and blog for undergraduate and graduate students in the School of Journalism & Mass Communication. To sign up click here and complete the online form. SJMC Student Services Center Rebecca Rassier, Coordinator of Student Services 110 Murphy Hall 612-625-0120