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The comprehensive journalism program leads to an associate in arts degree or transfer to a four-year institution. The program combines modern educational practices, hands-on experience and Macintosh computer technology to prepare students for advanced study or the working world of journalism, photojournalism or public relations. We provide DEPARTMENT SERVICES for the community through school visits, workshops and other outreach projects.

Coursework - All classes emphasize good writing skills and the discipline needed to complete the journalism curriculum successfully. Students who complete the coursework will be able to compete in the profession of journalism in reporting, editing, design and photojournalism. Practical application of skills is possible on The Ranger, the award-winning weekly campus newspaper, to provide background experience required to be a working journalist.

Elective options - Students may use electives in the journalism program to fulfill baccalaureate requirements at many four-years colleges or universities. Students planning to continue study toward a bachelor's degree should be aware of graduation requirements from their transfer institution.

Facilities - A newsroom/laboratory equipped with the latest Macintosh computers and a classroom equipped with Macintoshs are available for students in classes on the second floor of Loftin Student Center. The Ranger newsroom (Loftin 212) and the writing lab (Loftin 208) provide an environment for staff reporters and editors to gain practical experience in the production of a newspaper and The Fourth Write magazine.

Faculty - Full-time and adjunct faculty are committed to providing students with the latest information in the fields of print journalism, public relations, photojournalism and graphic design.

Practical experience - Student writers, photographers and artists may choose to work as paid staff members on The Ranger. Stipends vary, according to position.

Journalism career opportunities - include newspaper beat reporter or general assignment reporter, layout editor, copy editor, free-lance writer, magazine editor or writer, journalism teacher/publications adviser, public relations practitioner, photojournalist, specialized reporter for newspaper or on-line service, wire service reporter, feature writer, graphics specialist in desktop publishing or web authoring.  

Students who choose to gain experience working on The Ranger or The Fourth Write magazine will either have to attend summer school or spend more than two years at San Antonio College.

Requirements for the Associate in Arts Degree in Journalism or Photography:

Note: A student may take 15 hours of photography or 15 hours of journalism. Or, a student may combine hours in journalism and photography. The degree will be granted in the discipline with the most hours, e.g., nine hours of photography and six hours in journalism would mean an AA in photography. COMM 1307 is not required for a photography degree but it is recommended. Students pursuing either degree should visit the journalism-photography department in Room 204 of Loftin Student Center or contact the department at (210) 733-2870. Also, note that some of the 15 hours of the major might not transfer if the student subsequently wants to earn a bachelor's degree.
Requirements:
  • Satisfaction of mimimum entrance requirements.
  • Demonstration of college level reading proficiency on standardized examination.
  • Completion of a minimum of 60 hours, including 15 hours earned at San Antoni College.
  • Maintenance of a minimum grade-point average of 2.0 for all college-level courses taken at SAC and for all courses applied toward a degree, whether taken at SAC or attempted at another college.
    • .



    Core Components Course Selections Semester Hours
    Communication English 1301 and 1302 6
    Speech 1311 3
    Japanese 1311 or 1312;
    German 1300, 1310 or 2311;
    Spanish 1300, 1310 or 2311;
    French 1300, 1310 or 2311;
    Italian 1311 or 1312;
    or any 1400 series modern language course or equivalent; American Sign Language: SGNL 1301, 1302, 2301 or 2302     		3
    Mathematics Math 1314 or any math (except 1350 and 1351) for which 1314 or 1332 is a prerequisite. MATH 1332 may be taken for the associate's degree, but it may not satisfy transfer requirements at a four-year institution -- contact the transfer university to check. 3
    Natural Sciences (4 hours must be in a laboratory science) Select from: biology, chemistry, geology, Geography 1171, 1172, 1301, 1371 or 1372; astronomy, physics or Anthropology 2301. 7
    Humanities, Literature & Visual/Performing Arts LITERATURE -- Any sophomore level literature (English) course or Interdisciplinary Studies 2374 or Interdisciplinary Studies 2375 -- 3 hours
    HUMANITIES -- Humanities 1301, 1302, 1315 or 2319; Philosophy 1301 or 2306; Interdisciplinary Studies 2372 or 2373; German 2312; Latin 1311 or 1312; Spanish 2312, 2321 or 1301; or French 1301 or 2312 -- 3 hours
    VISUAL/PERFORMING ARTS -- Arts 1301, 1303 or 1304; Arch 1301 or 1302; Drama 1310; Interdisciplinary Studies 2376; or Music 1306, 1310 or 1370 -- 3 hours
    		9
    Social and Behavioral Sciences HISTORY -- History 1301 and 1302 -- 6 hours
    GOVERNMENT -- Government 2301 and 2302 -- 6 hours
    OTHER SOCIAL/BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES -- Psychology 2301; Sociology 1301; Geography 1302 OR 1303; Economics 2301 or 2302; or IDST 2370 or 2371 -- 3 hours
    		15
    Physical Education/Kinesiology Choose from any two one-hour activity courses Note: Exception for students with more than two years of military service and those physician-certified as physically unable to participate -- 2 hours
    		2

    		48 hours
    Journalism or Photography major Choose from COMM 1307 (not required for photography), COMM 2311, COMM 2315, COMM 1316, COMM 2309, COMM 2310, COMM 2324, COMM 2325, COMM 2373, COMM 1318, COMM 1319, PHOT 1372, PHOT 2370, PHOT 2371, PHOT 2372 -- 15 hours
    		15
    63 hours total


    Courses Recommended for Transfer:

    12 hours of English to include English 1301-1302 (minimum grade of C); English 2322-2323 or 2332-2333 or 2327-2328 Ñ The University of Texas at Austin will allow students to forego ENG 1302 and take coursework at UT-Austin to satisfy the writing requirement after transfer.

    12 or 14 hours (four semesters) of Foreign Language

    15 hours of Social Sciences to include History 1301-1302 and Government 2301-2302 (It is strongly recommended that students take both required courses in government at the same institution.) The above courses are required in the core curriculum. In addition, the student may choose 3 hours from ANTH, ECON, GEOG, PSYC OR SOCI.

    3 hours of Mathematics 1314 or higher

    8 hours of Natural Science to include Biology 1408-1409 or Chemistry 1411-1412 (or equivalent) or Geology 1403-1404 or Physics 1401-1402 (or equivalent)

    3 hours in a second Natural Science or a higher math course

    3 hours of Fine Arts (ARTS, DANC, DRAM or MUSI)

    12 hours of COMM , which may include COMM 1307; COMM. 1372, COMM 2311; COMM 2315; COMM 1316; COMM 1317; COMM 2373, COMM 2325; COMM 2324; COMM 2309; and COMM 2310

    (NOTE: Certain courses may not be accepted except by special negotiation with the transfer institution. Please be aware that all four-year institutions do not accept the same transfer courses. The transfer student should check with the four-year university. Some will accept journalism courses as "electives" in the major; others will not.)

    Click here for transfer institutions.

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    ©2005 by the Department of Journalism-Photography at San Antonio College (c/o ranger@accdvm.accd.edu), 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, Texas 78212-4299. All rights reserved. With this notice intact, this publication may be distributed electronically, but no part may be otherwise reproduced without permission. Views expressed in this publication and in the student laboratory newspaper, The Ranger, do not necessarily reflect those of San Antonio College or the Alamo Community College District.

    San Antonio College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability with respect to access, employment programs, or services. Inquiries or complaints concerning these matters should be brought to the attention of: Director of Human Resources, Title IX Coordinator, 210/208-8051. Address: Human Resources Department, 201 W. Sheridan, Bldg. A, San Antonio, Texas 78204. For special accommodations or an alternate format, contact the San Antonio College DisABILITY Support Services at 733-2347.

    Updated Jan. 29, 2004.