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 five optional specializations to help you stand out in today’s competitive job market.
The Journalism and Media Studies specializations enable you to dive deeper into Digital and Social Media, Global Media, Media Production, Social Justice and Media, or Sports Journalism through a 15-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 five courses (15 credits): two required courses and three electives.
- 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.
- You may declare more than one 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 Five Exciting Specializations:
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The Digital and Social Media specialization enables students to critically examine and create content for digital and social media platforms. Students will learn how to effectively use digital and social media as professional tools while analyzing their impact on culture, politics, journalism, media and creative industries, and society more broadly. To qualify for the specialization, you must be a declared JMS major and complete all requirements. Courses that count toward the Digital and Social Media specialization may also count toward the 33-credit major.
Not all courses will be offered every semester.
Required Courses (6 credits):
Elective Courses (select 3 courses / 9 credits):
- 04:189:210 Disinformation Detox
- 04:567:202 Creating Content
- 04:567:211 Exploring New Media
- 04:567:302 Digital Media Production
- 04:567:331 Digital Media Lab
- 04:567:333 Media and Popular Culture
- 04:567:438 Digital Media Industries
- 04:567:439 Artificial Intelligence and Media
- 04:567:488 Independent Study in Media Studies
- 04:567:489 Independent Study in Journalism
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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. Students in the Global Media specialization often participate in study abroad courses offered by the Journalism and Media Studies department, which provide an opportunity to experience global media systems firsthand. To qualify for the specialization, you must be a declared JMS major and complete all requirements. Courses that count toward the Global Media specialization may also count toward the 33-credit major.
Not all courses will be offered every semester.
Required Courses (6 credits):
- 04:567:215 Gender, Race, and Class in the Media
- 04:567:420 Global News or 04:567:475 International Media
Elective Courses (select 3 courses / 9 credits):
- 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 Media Studies course that involves JMS faculty-led travel outside the United States
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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.
Required Courses (6 credits):
Elective Courses (select 3 courses / 9 credits):
- 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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The Social Justice and Media specialization provides students with a critical foundation for understanding how the media intersect with systems of power, inequity, and resistance. Students will engage with issues of diversity, social justice, and culture in global contexts. The specialization is designed for students interested in understanding and challenging the ways media industries reflect and shape social injustices. To qualify for the specialization, you must be a declared JMS major and complete all requirements. Courses that count toward the Social Justice and Media specialization may also count toward the 33-credit major.
Not all courses will be offered every semester.
Required Courses (6 credits):
Elective Courses (select 3 courses / 9 credits):
- 04:567:274 Consumer Media Culture
- 04:567:333 Media and Popular Culture
- 04:567:365 Race, Islamophobia, and the Media
- 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
- 04:567:415 Media and Climate Change
- 04:567:457 Journalism and the Civil Rights Movement
- 04:567:465 Documentary Filmmaking and Storytelling
- 04:567:475 International Media
- 04:567:488 Independent Study in Media Studies
- 04:567:489 Independent Study in Journalism
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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 for the specialization, you must be a declared JMS major and complete all requirements. Courses that count toward the Sports Journalism specialization may also count toward the 33-credit major.
Not all courses will be offered every semester.
Required Courses (6 credits):
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