Academic Catalogs

Journalism, Associate in Arts Degree

Banner Code: 1_AA_JOUR

Control Number: 14411

Financial Aid Eligible


Students graduating with an Associate of Arts degree in Journalism will be prepared to enter the workforce in an entry level capacity without transfer to a four-year university. Students will gain skills in newswriting, feature writing, editing, design, photography, multimedia producing and editorial design making.

Program Outcomes

  1. The student will be able to write a balanced news article on deadline in traditional journalistic style incorporating interviewing skills, analyzing information and presenting a complete, balanced story.
  2. Students will demonstrate an ability to write, edit and produce all aspects of the bi-weekly campus newspaper Coast Report, including an understanding of design, photography use and editing peer’s articles.
  3. Students will be able to evaluate online media and distinguish between mainstream, traditional media and news promoting a philosophy or one-sided agenda. They will also be able to evaluate blogs and social media.
  4. Students will demonstrate the ability to use visual journalism to tell a story.

Review Graduation Requirements and General Education

Course Title Units
Required Courses
Core Courses
CMST A240Media Literacy3
JOUR A110News Writing and Reporting3
JOUR A115Student Newspaper I4
Restricted Electives
Select at least eight units of the following:8
Introduction to Mass Communications
Television Production 1
Multi-Media Reporting and Producing
Feature Writing
Student Newspaper II
Photojournalism
Coast Report Editorial Board Level 1
American Government
Minimum Program Major Units18
AA General Education Option 1, 2, or 3 Varies
Transferable electives as needed to satisfy unit requirementVaries
Total Units60

Program Sequence

These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
CMST A240 Media Literacy 3
HIST A170
History of the United States to 1876
or History of the United States to 1876 Honors
or History of the United States Since 1876
or History of the United States Since 1876 Honors
3
OCC AA GE AREA A1 - CHOOSE ONE 3
Select one of the following or satisfy Math competency (completion of High School Algebra 2 with a "C" or better): 3-4
Intermediate Algebra 1
or Combined Elementary and Intermediate Algebra
 
 Units12-13
Semester 2
JOUR A110 News Writing and Reporting 3
PSCI A180
American Government
or American Government Honors
3
OCC AA GE AREA B with lab - CHOOSE ONE 2 4
OCC AA GE AREA C1 - CHOOSE ONE 3 2-4
OCC AA GE AREA D3 - CHOOSE ONE 3
 Units15-17
Summer
OCC AA GE AREA D2 - CHOOSE ONE 3
 Units3
Year 2
Semester 1
JOUR A115 Student Newspaper I 4
RESTRICTED ELECTIVES (See Requirements) 4 3
OCC AA GE AREA C2 - CHOOSE ONE 3 0.5-4
OCC AA GE AREA E1 - CHOOSE ONE 5 0.5-4
OCC AA GE AREA E2 - CHOOSE ONE 5 1
ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 3
 Units12-19
Semester 2
RESTRICTED ELECTIVES - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 4 2
AA Global/Multicultural Requirement - CHOOSE ONE 6 3
ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 7 13
 Units18
 Total Units60-70
1

Math A030 or higher OR take 3-4 degree applicable elective units if math competency was met through completion of High School Algebra 2 with a "C" or better; *100-level Math courses satisfy AA Math Requirement and OCC AA GE AREA A2 

2

OCC AA GE AREA B - 4 units required if taken with lab; 6 units required if lecture only courses 

3

OCC AA Area C requires a minimum of 3 units to include one course from C1 and one course from C2 

 
4

Major Restricted Electives - at least a total of eight (8) units are required. 

5

OCC AA GE AREA E requires a minimum of 3 units to include one course from E1 and one course from E2 

6

OCC AA Global/ Multicultural required if not already taken in other GE areas, refer to AA Graduation Requirement webpage

7

VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 DEGREE APPLICABLE UNITS