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Journalism

If you are inquisitive, can think on your feet, and like to write, a degree in journalism could be for you.

In this program, you’ll learn news writing, research and interviewing techniques and multi-media news production. The program also builds your critical-thinking skills and your understanding of how the media impacts your life and perceptions about society. While a student, you could help publish The Communicator, SFCC’s student newspaper, and gain hands-on experience in writing, editing, photography and layout.

Whether you want to become a reporter or work in corporate communications, this program will help you build the journalistic skills to tell others’ stories across a variety of mediums, including print, broadcast, TV and online.

The Communicator

The Communicator Cover

Get hands-on journalism experience writing for the Communicator! The Communicator is an award-winning, student-run publication that covers news, sports and the arts.

What You’ll Learn

  • Design, construct, and disseminate publications and content in various media formats
  • Communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. Graduates will be able to use AP style and the inverted pyramid writing style to effectively and concisely communicate ideas to a general audience.
  • Identify, access, organize, summarize, evaluate and analyze relevance of researched information from a variety of valid sources to be used in news articles and professional presentations including public relations communications and marketing
  • Organize and deliver information in an easy-to-understand manner with an awareness of different audiences
  • Adapt thinking and communication behaviors to fit the needs of the specific context, media, and audience
  • Identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
  • Apply active listening and interviewing skills to give full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times while interviewing

You and your advisor will use this program map as a starting point to create a personal education plan customized to your needs. We meet you where you are and help you reach your goals.
Need more details? Check out the degree worksheet for the AA-DTA degree and work with your advisor to make sure you’re ready to transfer in Journalism. Course descriptions and course learning outcomes can be found in our online catalogue.

Program Map for

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Total Credits: 90

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ENGL& 101
English Composition I
5
GUID 105
Student Success
2
JOURN 101
College Newspaper Production I
3
JOURN 110
Mass Media
5
Total Credits
 
15

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
JOURN 102
College Newspaper Production II
3
JOURN 220
Introduction to News Writing
5
Choose 1 course from:
ART& 100
Art Appreciation
5
FILM 141
Introduction to Film
5
FILM 236
The Documentary Film
5
MUSC& 105
Music Appreciation
5
Choose 1 course from:
MATH& 107
Math in Society
5
MATH& 146
Introduction to Statistics
5
PHIL& 120
Symbolic Logic
5
Total Credits
 
18

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
JOURN 103
College Newspaper Production III
3
Choose 1 course from:
HLTH 101
Health and Wellness
3
HLTH 104
Stress Management
3
HLTH 270
Nutrition for Fitness
3
Choose 1 course from:
ANTH& 100
Survey of Anthropology
5
ANTH& 206
Cultural Anthropology
5
PSYC& 100
General Psychology
5
SOC 221
Race and Ethnic Relations
5
SOC 230
Sociology of Gender
5
Choose 1 course from:
BIOL 110
Insects and People
5
BIOL& 160
General Biology with Lab
5
BOT 112
Survey of the Plant Kingdom
5
BOT 130
Mycology
5
ENVS& 101
Intro to Environmental Science
5
Total Credits
 
16

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
JOURN 201
College Newspaper Production IV
3
Choose 1 course from:
HUM 107
Introduction to Cultural Studies
5
HUM& 101
Introduction to Humanities
5
PHIL 110
Introduction to Ethics
5
PHIL& 101
Introduction to Philosophy
5
PHIL& 115
Critical Thinking
5
Choose 1 course from:
HIST& 116
Western Civilization I
5
HIST& 117
Western Civilization II
5
POLS 125
Introduction to Global Issues
5
POLS& 101
Intro to Political Science
5
POLS& 202
United States Government
5
Total Credits
 
13

Fifth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
JOURN 202
College Newspaper Production V
3
Choose 1 course from:
ANTH& 205
Biological Anthropology
5
BIOL 107
Dinosaur Paleontology
5
CHEM 116
Reactions: Our Actions and Inactions
5
GEOL 116
Environmental Geology
5
Choose 5 credit from:
ART 101
Fundamentals of Drawing
4
DRMA 107
Theatre Production
1 - 5
MUSC 145
Concert Band
1 - 3
PE 106
Yoga Fitness
1
PHOTO 101
Introduction to Photography
5
Total Credits
 
13

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
JOURN 225
Multimedia Journalism
5
Choose 1 course from:
ANTH& 205
Biological Anthropology
5
MATH& 107
Math in Society
5
MATH& 146
Introduction to Statistics
5
PHYS 100
Introductory Physics
5
Choose 1 course from:
ECON 100
Fundamentals of Economics
5
ECON& 202
Macro Economics
5
Total Credits
 
15

Maximum estimated costs for completing this program

  • Tuition

  • Resident

    $
    9,245
  • Non-Resident

    $
    11,459
  • International

    $
    21,146
  • Books

    $
    2,238
  • Course Fees

    $
    67
  • Institutional Fees

    $
    1,511

  • The amounts listed for tuition and lab & course fees reflects a maximum estimated cost and may be lower based on courses selected.
  • The amount listed for books is a maximum estimated cost based on the price of new textbooks purchased during the previous school year. Costs may be lower based on student choices and availability (used books vs new, rental vs purchase).
  • For more information about costs, visit our page How Much Does It Cost?

  • Heather Bellerud
    Heather Bellerud
    VPAA Pathway Specialist
    Heather.Bellerud@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3195
  • Suzie Heimbigner
    Suzie Heimbigner
    Humanities Pathway Specialist
    Suzie.Heimbigner@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3403

  • Ashley DeMoville
    Ashley DeMoville
    Dean Visual/Perform Arts
    B.A., University of Hawaii; M.F.A., Victoria University of Wellington New Zealand; Ed.D., University of Southern California
    Ashley.DeMoville@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3339
  • Jason Nix
    Jason Nix
    Journalism
    A.A.S., Wallace State Community College; B.A., M.A., Auburn University; additional studies: Poynter Institute for Media Studies
    Jason.Nix@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3791

Have a question? Let's hear it.

Heather Bellerud

Pathways Specialist
Heather.Bellerud@sfcc.spokane.edu
509-533-3195
Building 15, Room 106