College of Liberal & Creative Arts
The Bachelor of Arts in Journalism (photojournalism sequence) prepares students for careers in photojournalism and related fields. Students learn about the laws, ethics, and social responsibilities of the news media and they develop skills in reporting and writing, critical thinking, and visual and multimedia storytelling. Students in the Journalism Department have a choice of two sequences: print/online journalism and photojournalism.
The main goals of the program are to help students become accurate and thorough researchers; incisive thinkers who can gauge the quality of information; precise, clear, and graceful writers; technically, aesthetically fine photojournalists; and competent digital technologists. Many students choose the major because these skills provide excellent preparation for numerous occupations, in addition to journalism. Our students have gone on to successful careers in law, marketing, documentary filmmaking, corporate and organizational communications, and social media, as well as the news media.
Because we are located in one of the nation's largest media markets, we are able to bring in guest speakers from major news organizations, and students have opportunities to land internships and jobs with newspapers, magazines, TV and radio stations, and digital media organizations around the Bay Area. Our department is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, which allows our students to compete in the prestigious Hearst Journalism Awards Program. Our award-winning student publications, Golden Gate Xpress newspaper and Xpress Magazine, allow our students to practice their craft and cover the campus community. We also offer a number of options for students who want to study abroad, and we encourage students to participate in our student chapters of the National Press Photographers Association, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and NLGJA, the Association of LGBTQ Journalists.
Access the list of the major requirements to better understand the structure of the major.
The roadmap puts all of your graduation requirements into an easy-to-follow semester-by-semester plan so you know what to take to stay on track. Whether you are a freshman or a transfer student, you'll be able to find a roadmap that best fits you.
Besides your major requirements, students must complete their GE and University requirements. Be sure to make sure you've completed all of these requirements for graduation.
To learn more about this major, check out the major department’s website below. You can also find out how you can access their faculty advisors who can assist you not just with course choices, but also answer questions about the field and discuss your career plans.
Department of Journalism
Humanities Building, Room 305
Phone: (415) 338-3560
Email: jour@sfsu.edu
Website: https://www.journalism.sfsu.edu/
Chair: Rachele Kanigel
Freshmen Student Advising Information
After choosing “Basic Subjects” GE courses in Steps 1-3 of your Orientation process (if you haven’t done so, log onto your Orientation Profile page to follow the “Pre-Orientation Advising Module”), STEP 4 Choosing Major Classes will show you if there are any classes you can take to satisfy major requirements for your first and/or second semester.
Once you have determined your Roadmap above, review the first section below and write down any course recommendations based on your corresponding major roadmap on your Freshmen Class Planner worksheet.
First Semester Course Recommendations — Roadmaps A, B, C & D
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Major Class & Title |
Units |
Other Requirement Area(s) Met |
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None1 |
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If there are any course(s) listed above, please enter this information onto “Step 4” of your Freshmen Class Planner. |
Advisor Footnotes:
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1 Students should take JOUR 205 in their second semester.
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Students should meet with a major advisor before selecting electives. Students should meet with a major advisor every semester starting sophomore year.
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Kim Komenich is the main advisor for Photojournalism students; all advisors are listed here: https://journalism.sfsu.edu/people
- Journalism -- photojournalism, print, digital media, TV, radio, documentary filmmaking
- Photography
- Communications and public relations
- Social media
- Content creation
- Editing
- Some of our majors also go on to careers in entertainment media, teaching, law, business, and politics
Transfer Student Advising Information
Please see the box above labeled “Major Curriculum/Roadmaps & GE/University Requirements” for information on what courses to take in your first semester at SF State. View our Frequently Asked Questions for Transfers for helpful tips and additional information.