Application Process

Application Process Overview

Once students have been admitted to the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota, they may pursue admission to the journalism major. Students in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication will experience a superb academic and professional education, outstanding facilities, dynamic faculty, and special curricular and extracurricular opportunities.

Requirements

A student is eligible to apply for major status, once they have:

Completed or enrolled in JOUR 1001.
Completed or enrolled in 30 letter-graded semester credits, including a minimum of 13 CLA credits at the University of Minnesota.
Completed a written Statement of Intent, which serves as a writing sample and outlines your academic and professional goals.

Optional Premajor Information Meetings

If you are interested in learning more about the major and application process you may attend an Information Meeting. These optional meetings will give you information about the major, the three program tracks, and the application process. There is also time to ask questions.

Application deadline

Applications are accepted at the beginning of fall and spring semesters. Application deadlines for the 2009-10 academic year will be:

Friday, September 25, 2009
Friday, February 12, 2010

How to apply

To apply for major status, students will submit three items:

Online application form
Statement of Intent
Student Course Report (unofficial transcript)

Students will be notified of their admissions decision by e-mail four to six weeks after the application deadline.

Things to keep in mind

Students must achieve major status before enrolling in JOUR 3004 and most professional (skills) courses. Some context courses are open to non-majors, but no more than two of these courses will apply to the major if taken before admission.

Students who take any major courses before admission should earn A or B grades in them. Earning a C or lower grade in a major course before admission will hurt a student’s chances of being admitted to the major.

If you are admitted

Students will be notified of their admission decision via e-mail. Admitted students will receive details about how to confirm their admission by attending a special planning session for new majors. At this session students will meet with faculty and advising staff and get tips on how to plan your courses and time line for graduation. You will also hear from industry professionals and have an opportunity to meet other new students.

If you are not admitted

Students who are not admitted may submit a second application during a later semester. However, students should not apply again without addressing any issues that led to the committee’s initial decision. Students not admitted on second application may appeal by submitting additional materials, such as letters of reference, portfolios and a revised Statement of Intent.

Students who plan to reapply to the major should also be investigating other educational programs, such as application to another major closely aligned to your professional interests or to a journalism program at another college or university.

Still have a question? Visit the undergraduate studies FAQ page, or call us at 612-625-0120.