Sports Journalism Program

Applications for Fall 2008 are available from undergraduate academic advisors for the School of Journalism, Theresa Thomas and Wendy Boggs.

The School of Journalism's program in sports journalism is designed to enhance development of writing and reporting skills, knowledge and career opportunities in sports journalism.

Enrollment in the sports journalism class is by application only and is limited to 18 students previously accepted to an upper-division journalism area of study or by special permission.

The sports journalism program is not a separate major or sequence. It is an extension of existing specializations in the School of Journalism. Journalism majors must meet existing requirements for their respective sequences. However, limited adjustments may be allowed for those requirements not specifically unique to the sequence.

The goal of the program is to go beyond reporting of competition and column writing. It will include ethics, sports as business and entertainment, and the impact of sports on society. Likewise, it will strive to assist participants in making significant improvement in communicating about sports through word and image.

To be certified as successfully completing the program, students must complete a minimum of 12 prescribed hours. They must complete J359T.1, Sports Journalism, and a special sports internship in J331K, Projects in Professional Experience. The remaining six hours will be from sports-related courses outside the School of Journalism. Acceptable courses will come from the College of Business and areas such as Advertising, Public Relations, American Studies, English, History, Kinesiology, Physical Education and Social Work when the topic is related in some way to sports. J359T.1 is a combination of lecture and practical experience.

Each semester, a professional writer, editor, broadcaster, or photographer who specializes in sports coverage will serve as the instructor of the class. Media representatives, coaches, players and media relations specialists will be guest lecturers.

On the practical side, students must complete assignments emphasizing sports that are appropriate to their journalism sequence. The instructor will be available to do mentoring and critique student work.

Application requirements

• You must be an upper-division journalism major formally accepted into one of the six journalism sequences (broadcast, magazine &editing, newspaper reporting & writing, copy editing & design, photojournalism or multimedia) and meet appropriate course prerequisites. Note: Non-journalism majors will be considered if they can provide evidence of significant work in the media (student and professional) and meet requirements described in items 1, 2 and 3 below (item 3 is required for non-majors).

• You must be enrolled in or have completed with a grade of at least C the following upper-division course required in the applicant’s respective upper-division sequence: Broadcast: J322D, Magazine, Newspaper, Copy Editing, or Multimedia: J320D, and Photojournalism: J325.

• You must meet the required minimum GPA to take upper-division courses (2.25 GPA overall and 2.0 GPA in College of Communication courses).

In addition to the application form, the following must be submitted:

• A typed statement of purpose (maximum 250 words), similar to the one used to apply for an upper- division sequence but emphasizing why you should be part of the sports journalism program.

• A résumé that tells us something about you — a listing of such things as extracurricular activities, jobs, family activities, scholarships, awards and other recognitions.

• Supporting materials (encouraged for journalism majors, required for non-majors): examples of work in broadcast or print (tapes, clips, photos, etc.) that reflect your interest, experience and performance in practical journalism.

NOTE: Considerations in making selections also include grade point average, performance in other journalism courses, evidence of professional intent in journalism through work in the media, participation in professional organizations and other communication skills. Students may be required to complete an interview with journalism faculty members.

All application materials submitted become property of the School of Journalism.

For more information, please contact the School of Journalism at 512-471-1845