Public Affairs Journalism (PAJ) teaches you how to investigate and disseminate news. Our multimedia focus prepares you to integrate this training with the multimedia skills necessary for packaging news stories with word, still photo, audio and video.

As a journalism student, you also are taught to consider the context in which you will practice the field, including an understanding of the social, legal and ethical implications that all journalists encounter.

Major Curriculum

Required Pre-Major Courses: 6 credit hours (do not count in major)

All students must complete two pre-major courses. A grade of C- or better is required in both courses for a Major Specialization Application to be considered. Admission is competitive and an online application is required.

Journalism Direct Admission students should contact their advisor for information about the program review process.

• Comm 1100: Communication in Society
• Comm 1101: History of Communication

Core Major Requirements: 19 credit hours. All five courses required.

• Comm 2221: Media Writing and Editing (4 credits)
• Comm 2223: Lantern Practicum (4 credits)
• Comm 3226: Multimedia Journalism (4 credits)
• Comm 3404: Media Law and Ethics (3 credits)
• Comm 4221: Data Journalism in Enterprise Reporting (prereq of Comm 3160/3163 is highly recommended) (4 credits)

Research Method Requirement: 4 credit hours. Choose one of the following:

• Comm 3160: Communication Research Methods (prereq: Stats 1350, 1450 or equiv.)
• Comm 3163: Communication Industry Research Methods (prereq: Stats 1350, 1450 or equiv.)

Critical Thinking Skills: 6 credit hours. Choose at least 2 courses from this list:

• Comm 3402: Crime and the News Media
• Comm 3440: Mass Communication and Society
• Comm 3597.01: International Perspectives on Communication
• Comm 3597.02: Media and Terrorism
• Comm 4240: Science Communication
• Comm 4445: Stereotypes in Media
• Comm 4814: Political Communication
• Comm 4820: Public Opinion and Communication

Required Internship: 3 credit hours required.

• Comm 4191*: Internship (1-3 credits, repeatable)

Required Minor: 12 credit hours (required hours vary by minor program)

Students should declare the minor by the end of their first semester in the major. Students will select an approved minor from this list in order to develop knowledge in a content area:

• Business
• Business Analytics
• Campaigns and Elections
• Capital Program
• Criminology & Criminal Justice Studies
• Economics
• Geographic Information Science
• Geography
• International Studies
• Media Production & Analysis
• Political Science
• Public Policy
• Sport Industry
• World Politics

Students who feel that a different minor will better relate to their journalism career goals must receive approval from the School of Communication before the minor is declared. A written petition detailing the way in which the unapproved minor provides domainspecific expertise that aligns with career goals must be submitted. Not all petitions are approved. Please contact commadvising@osu.edu for more information. 

General Education requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Journalism degree