Steven Miller
Teaching Professor
Director of Undergraduate Studies in Journalism and Media Studies
undergrad@comminfo.rutgers.edu
Optional Specializations
The Journalism and Media Studies major offers two optional specializations to help you stand out in today’s competitive job market.
The Journalism and Media Studies optional specializations enable you to dive deeper into Global Media or Sports Journalism through an 18-credit curriculum that blends theory and hands-on experience. These focused tracks are open to Journalism and Media Studies majors, count toward your degree, and can give you a competitive edge in today’s media landscape.
What You Need to Know
- Specializations are an optional way to enhance your Journalism and Media Studies degree.
- Specializations are open to Journalism and Media Studies majors.
- Courses in a JMS specialization also count toward your major.
- Each specialization requires a total of six courses (18 credits).
- If you’re using a specialization to fulfill JMS major requirements, at least 6 credits of the 18-credit specialization must be at the 400 level.
- Once in the Journalism and Media Studies major, you can declare the specialization in one of two ways:
- SAS students: Use SASmyMajor to declare (as well as to un-declare) the specialization.
- Non-SAS students: Visit the Major Specialization Declaration Form for Non-SAS Students to declare (or un-declare) the specialization.
- There are NO course substitutions permitted unless the Department of Journalism and Media Studies has approved a new course/special topics course for a specialization.
- On occasion, Special Topics courses are offered that may also be appropriate; check the course subtitle to learn what the course subject will be in a given semester.
- Courses already taken will count toward the specializations if they are on the approved list.
- All pre-requisites apply regarding enrolling in a course.
Choose from optional specializations:
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The Global Media specialization allows Journalism and Media Studies majors to explore the rich and varied media landscapes across the world. To qualify, you must be a declared Journalism and Media Studies major and complete all required coursework. Courses in this specialization may also count toward your 33-credit Journalism and Media Studies major. Students in the global media specialization often participate in study abroad courses offered by the Journalism Media Studies department, which provide an opportunity to experience global media systems firsthand.
Please note that not all courses are offered every semester.
Required Courses:
- 04:567:200 Writing for Media
- 04:567:201 Media Ethics and Law
- A foundation course
Specialization Courses (select 3 courses / 9 credits):
- 04:567:215 Gender, Race, and Class in the Media
- 04:567:317 Writing the Mediterranean
- 04:567:329 International Reporting
- 04:567:365 Race, Islamophobia, and the Media
- 04:567:380 Media and Social Change
- 04:567:384 Media and the Struggles for Democracy in Central America
- 04:567:385 Irish Media, Politics, and Cultural Survival
- 04:567:405 Writing About Social Issues
- 04:567:420 Global News
- 04:567:475 International Media
- 04:567:488 Independent Study in Media Studies
- 04:567:489 Independent Study in Journalism
- Any Topics in Journalism and Emerging Media course that involves JMS faculty-led travel outside the United States
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The Sports Journalism specialization gives Journalism and Media Studies majors the chance to explore a dynamic field that goes far beyond scores and stats, examining the cultural, political, and economic impact of sports media. To qualify, you must be a declared Journalism and Media Studies major and complete all required coursework. Courses in this specialization may also count toward your 33-credit Journalism and Media Studies major. Please note that not all courses are offered every semester.
Required Courses:
- 04:567:200 Writing for Media
- 04:567:201 Media Ethics and Law
- A foundation course
Specialization Courses (select 3 courses / 9 credits):
-
The Media Production specialization offers students hands-on training in multimedia storytelling, preparing them for a wide range of professional paths, including careers in audio and video journalism, podcasting, documentary filmmaking, and digital content creation. With an emphasis on technical and creative skills, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making, the Media Production specialization provides students the opportunity to develop a portfolio of original media content across multiple platforms and professional settings. To qualify for the specialization, you must be a declared JMS major and complete all requirements. Courses that count toward the Media Production specialization may also count toward the 33-credit major. Not all courses will be offered every semester.
Specialization Requirements (18 credits total, as part of the JMS major requirements)
Required Courses (9 credits):
Elective Courses (choose 3 for 9 credits; at least one 400-level elective)
- 04:567:206 Broadcast News Writing
- 04:567:302 Digital Media Production
- 04:567:319 Podcasting and Audio Documentary
- 04:567:374 Media Field Production
- 04:567:375 Television Reporting
- 04:567:376 Advanced TV Reporting
- 04:567:432 Multimedia Sports Reporting
- 04:567:465 Documentary Filmmaking and Storytelling
- 04:567:489 Independent Study in Journalism
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