Associate in Applied Science in Journalism and New Media Studies

Journalism
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Course Sequence

Field of Interest

Field of Interest: Culture and Society

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Journalism and New Media Studies program is designed to provide students with general, practical and marketable skills that will enable them to seek entry-level employment in various media outlets, including: newspapers, magazines, community journals, online websites, radio and television. The program includes development of a portfolio that will exhibit students` abilities to write both news and feature stories. News judgment is also integrated as a critical component of the program. An awareness of global and cultural differences also forms a key element of this degree for the successful graduate. The curriculum combines coursework in journalism with a General Education component.

Details

Details icon Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:

Field of Interest
Culture and Society
Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Journalism and New Media Studies (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3120
Total Credits Required
61-67
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2022
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

There are additional university transfer options within this pathway. Students should speak with the Program Director or an academic advisor to identify the best option to meet their academic and career goals.

What You’ll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Produce stories appropriate to their medium and venue, from conceptualization to publication, including research, confirmation of credible sources, writing, and editing.
  2. Analyze and adapt to a professional context within the journalism industry in order to work effectively.
  3. Describe the contemporary field of journalism, including media, markets and specializations.
  4. Demonstrate written and verbal skills to communicate effectively with diverse populations and individuals.
  5. Develop and maintain professional networks and relationships within the field of journalism.
  6. Apply media law and ethics to journalistic situations.
  7. Evaluate and employ the strengths of self and others to achieve common goals in group settings.
  8. Incorporate new and emerging digital technologies ethically and efficiently to meet current trends.
  9. Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.

Career Opportunities

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Broadcast News Analysts

$51,178

Editors

$51,097

Postsecondary Communications Teachers

$65,074

Reporters and Correspondents

$51,178

Writers and Authors

$47,822

* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
  • Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MCO120 Media and Society Critical course Gateway course SB 3
JRN125 Photo Editing 3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC 3
MAT14+ College Mathematics OR Satisfactory completion of a higher level mathematics course MA 3–6
BPC110 or
CIS105		 Computer Usage and Applications or Survey of Computer Information Systems CS 3
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
JRN201 News Writing L 3
JRN205 Copyediting 3
MCO220 Cultural Diversity and the Media C, L 3
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication SB or L 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HIS103 or
HIS108 or
HIS203 or
PHI101 or
PHI103 or
PHI105		 United States History to 1865 or United States History 1945 to the Present or African-American History to 1865 or Introduction to Philosophy or Introduction to Logic or Introduction to Ethics H, HU, SB or C, H, HU, SB or HU or HU, L 3
JRN225 Photojournalism 3
JRN215 News and Media Production L 3
ENG235 or
JRN212 or
JRN234		 Magazine Article Writing or Writing for Broadcasts or Feature Writing L 3
SQ or
SG		 Natural Sciences Quantitative or Natural Sciences General SQ or SG 4

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
JRN203 Writing for Online Media 3
ECN211 or
ECN212 or
POS110 or
PSY101 or
SOC101		 Macroeconomic Principles or Microeconomic Principles or American National Government or Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Sociology SB 3
Electives Electives 3
Electives Electives 3
General Elective General Elective Select additional courses 100-level or higher to complete the minimum total program credits required for this degree. Consult with the Program Director or an Academic Advisor. 0–2

Program Electives

Any combination of the following courses must be taken for a total of ​6​ credits: JRN101,​ JRN240AC, ​JRN290, ​JRN298AA, ​JRN298AB, and JRN298AC.

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
JRN101 Grammar and Style for Journalists 1
JRN240AC Journalism Internship 3
JRN290 Publications Portfolio 1
JRN298AA Special Projects 1
JRN298AB Special Projects 2
JRN298AC Special Projects 3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MCO120 Media and Society Critical course Gateway course SB 3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC 3
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
JRN201 News Writing L 3
MAT14+ College Mathematics OR Satisfactory completion of a higher level mathematics course MA 3–6
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
JRN205 Copyediting 3
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
JRN125 Photo Editing 3
JRN215 News and Media Production L 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MCO220 Cultural Diversity and the Media C, L 3
JRN225 Photojournalism 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication SB or L 3
JRN203 Writing for Online Media 3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BPC110 or
CIS105		 Computer Usage and Applications or Survey of Computer Information Systems CS 3
ENG235 or
JRN212 or
JRN234		 Magazine Article Writing or Writing for Broadcasts or Feature Writing L 3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HIS103 or
HIS108 or
HIS203 or
PHI101 or
PHI103 or
PHI105		 United States History to 1865 or United States History 1945 to the Present or African-American History to 1865 or Introduction to Philosophy or Introduction to Logic or Introduction to Ethics H, HU, SB or C, H, HU, SB or HU or HU, L 3
Electives Electives 3

Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
Electives Electives 3
ECN211 or
ECN212 or
POS110 or
PSY101 or
SOC101		 Macroeconomic Principles or Microeconomic Principles or American National Government or Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Sociology SB 3

Term 10

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 10
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SQ or
SG		 Natural Sciences Quantitative or Natural Sciences General SQ or SG 4
General Elective General Elective Select additional courses 100-level or higher to complete the minimum total program credits required for this degree. Consult with the Program Director or an Academic Advisor. 0–2

Program Electives

Any combination of the following courses must be taken for a total of ​6​ credits: JRN101,​ JRN240AC, ​JRN290, ​JRN298AA, ​JRN298AB, and JRN298AC.

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
JRN101 Grammar and Style for Journalists 1
JRN240AC Journalism Internship 3
JRN290 Publications Portfolio 1
JRN298AA Special Projects 1
JRN298AB Special Projects 2
JRN298AC Special Projects 3

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Program Information

Learn more about and find contact information for the Journalism program.

General Help

Ask general questions over the phone at 480-461-7400 or via online chat.

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

  • C = Cultural Diversity in the US
  • CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
  • FYC = First Year Composition
  • H = Historical Awareness
  • HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
  • L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
  • MA = Mathematics
  • SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
  • SG = Natural Sciences General
  • SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, meet with an academic advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=174679).

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Journalism and New Media Studies