The Journalism minor is designated as a “Pillar of Distinction” at West Liberty University. The program provides our students with the theory and practice for a rewarding career in journalism.
Reporting techniques, interviewing skills, basic and specialized writing, editing and design, visual presentation, and exposure to legal and ethical issues are studied. Our students also write, design and produce The Trumpet student newspaper.
The minor consists of 48 general studies credits, a required Communications core of 13 credits (4 courses), Journalism core of 12 credits and restricted electives of 15 credits (5 courses), and a minor to total 120 credits for degree completion. Many students choose to take additional elective credits beyond the required totals.
Requirements
Required Courses
| COM 231 | News Writing & Reporting | 3 |
| COM 339 | On Campus Intern Journ | 2 |
| COM 410 | Media Law and Ethics | 4 |
Choose 9 hours from the following:
| COM 232 | Broadcast News Writing | 3 |
| COM 322 | Writing For Radio And TV | 3 |
| COM 332 | Feature Writing | 3 |
| COM 333 | Editorial Writing | 3 |
| COM 334 | Editing For Media | 3 |
| COM 337 | Sports Reporting | 3 |
| COM 338 | Investigative Journalism | 3 |
| COM 359 | Writing for Web/Social Media | 3 |
| COM 478 | Spec Top In Communications | 1 |
| COM 479 | Spec Prob In Communications | 3 |
| COM 426 | Social Media Campaigns | 3 |
| Journalism Minor* | |
| GENERAL STUDIES | 48 |
| COMMUNICATIONS CORE | 13 |
| COM 201 Survey of Communications | 3 |
| COM 401 Communication Theory | 3 |
| COM 410 Communication Law and Ethics | 4 |
| Choose one from the following: | |
| COM 311 Mass Media and Society | 3 |
| COM 323 Introduction to Cinema | 3 |
| COM 324 Documentary Film | 3 |
| JOURNALISM CORE | 14 |
| COM 231 News Writing & Reporting | 3 |
| COM 232 Broadcast News Writing | 3 |
| COM 339 On-Campus Internship | 2 |
| COM 413 Public Relations | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | |
| COM 439 Professional Internship | 3 |
| COM 480 Capstone | 3 |
| Journalism Restricted Electives (choose nine) | 27 |
| COM 322 Writing for Radio & TV | 3 |
| COM 332 Feature Writing | 3 |
| COM 333 Editorial Writing | 3 |
| COM 334 Editing for Media | 3 |
| COM 337 Sports Reporting | 3 |
| COM 338 Investigative Journalism | 3 |
| COM 359 Writing for the Web/Social Media | 3 |
| COM 434 Desktop Publishing | 3 |
| COM 477 Genre Writing | 3 |
| COM 478 Special Topics (max. 6 hours) | 3 |
| COM 478 Special Problems (max. 6 hours) | 3 |
| DMD 300 Sight, Sound, Motion | 3 |
| MINOR and NON-COMMUNICATIONS CLASSES TO TOTAL | 120 |
*More information on WLU Course Catalog
Journalism Program Requirements- Journalism minors must complete at least 15 hours.
- All students must meet COM requirements of an overall GPA of 2.5 and maintain a GPA of at least 2.5 to take upper level courses.