Combined Majors

Students can take a selection of courses from two areas for s more specialized career path:

Journalism/Political Science Combined Major
Students emphasize either American or international areas in political science, and combine those courses with journalism studies in News/Editorial, Broadcast or Advertising/Public Relations.

This “combined major” is not considered a minor or a double major, but involve a lesser number of credit hours from each major area than would be required for a full major. Note that students with a combined major must have an adviser in each of the two departments.

Requirements for a Combined Major in Journalism and Political Science

This option is recommended for students who have a strong interest in the reporting of public affairs.

24 Hours of Journalism: Plus Two Courses from the Following: 24 Hours of Political Science:
JOUR 1023 JOUR 3133 PLSC 2003
JOUR 2013 JOUR 3333 PLSC 2013
JOUR 3013 JOUR 3433 PLSC 4373
JOUR 3023, JOUR 4503, or JOUR 4553 Note that some courses may have prerequisites. Plus 15 additional hours of advanced political science courses selected from one of two field concentrations:
JOUR 3633   American Political Affairs or Foreign Affairs
JOUR 4043    

Specific American Political Affairs and Foreign Affairs courses are listed below. For more information see the Political Sciences class listings in the Catalog of Studies.

American Political Affairs    Foreign Affairs   
PLSC 3103 PLSC 3113 PLSC 3153 PLSC 3183 PLSC 3503 PLSC 3523 PLSC 3533 PLSC 3553
PLSC 3203 PLSC 3223 PLSC 3243 PLSC 3253 PLSC 3573 PLSC 3603 PLSC 3803 PLSC 3813
PLSC 3603 PLSC 3853 PLSC 3923H PLSC 3913 PLSC 3823 PLSC 3853 PLSC 3923H PLSC 394V
PLSC 3933 PLSC 394V PLSC 3973 PLSC 3983 PLSC 3953 PLSC 3963 PLSC 3973 PLSC 3983
PLSC 399VH PLSC 4193 PLSC 4203 PLSC 4213 PLSC 399VH PLSC 4273 PLSC 4503 PLSC 4513
PLSC 4223 PLSC 4243 PLSC 4253 PLSC 4263 PLSC 4543 PLSC 4563 PLSC 4573 PLSC 4583
PLSC 4273 PLSC 4813 PLSC 4823 PLSC 4903 PLSC 4593 PLSC 4803 PLSC 4843 PLSC 4873

View the Degree Checksheet for a Combined Major in Journalism and Political Science (PDF)


Other journalism combined programs

Teaching certification in Journalism
Journalism with an emphasis on graphics study (Art Department)

Students interested in design of ads, magazines and websites can major in either Advertising/Public Relations or in News/Editorial and take five to six courses in the Art Department to further develop their skills.


Teaching Certification in Journalism

Through another program, students can seek Teaching Certification in Journalism. This requires completion of a bachelor’s degree in Arts’ and Sciences and the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree through the College of Education. To apply to the M.A.T. program, students must complete the following with a GPA of 2.70. Admission to the program is competitive.

Complete minimum of 24 hours in a primary teaching field. Those who plan to teach journalism in Arkansas public schools will be advised to choose English as a primary teaching field. Complete the pre-education minor as stated in the catalog. Complete the courses specifically required for certification as stated in the catalog. Earn a C or better in ENGL 1013. 1023. 3033 (or 2013); COMM 1313 and MATH 1203. Obtain a second teaching field in Journalism through the Arkansas Department of Education.


Graphics Study for Journalists

Journalism students in any sequence who want to specialize in graphic design may take 15 hours of specific art courses. These courses will count in your degree program as electives.

  • ART 1013 Drawing Fundamentals I
  • ART 1313 Two-Dimensional Design
  • ART 3363 Graphic Design I (prerequisite: ART 1313 & 1323 OR ART 1013 & 2013)
  • ART 4343 Design III
  • ART 4383 Graphic Design: Layout (prerequisite: ART 3363)

Full descriptions of School of Art courses can be found here

Graphics and graphics-related courses in the journalism department include:

  • JOUR 2063 Media Technology. An introduction to computer skills required in journalism.
  • JOUR 2333 & JOUR 3083 Photojournalism. News and feature photography. Includes lecture, field and lab components.
  • JOUR 3093 Web Design. Macromedia Dreamweaver, minimal UNIX coding, for personal and commercial sites
  • JOUR 4063 Computer-Assisted Publishing. In-depth, hands-on exploration of computer hardware and software in the design and production of media messages.
  • JOUR 4423 Creative Strategy in Advertising. The creation of advertising copy and layout for the mass media with emphasis on strategy, the written message, and physical appearance of the advertisement.
Stay connected to SJSM
School of Journalism and Strategic Media
University of Arkansas
205 Kimpel Hall
Fayetteville AR 72701
Phone: 479-575-3601
Email: jour@uark.edu
Bret Schulte, Chair
Dave Bostwick, Vice Chair