B.S. Journalism
Convergence and Traditions
Since 1936, SJSU's Journalism school has built a global reputation for developing aspiring reporters and editors into top-notch professionals. Silicon Valley employers prefer to hire our grads because of their well-rounded cross-plateform skills and strong, time-honored media ethics. JMC's lineup of student media outlets provides young journalists with venues to display and develop their talents in traditional, social and digital media.
The Spartan Daily
The Spartan Daily is the oldest college daily newspaper in California, one of only six remaining in the state. While the Daily remains an institution on the SJSU campus, its online edition now wins honors for breaking news coverage and multimedia. The Daily headlines a program that attracts students from around the country and world.
Update News
Update News is an award-winning television newscast produced and anchored by JMC students. It has been broadcast regularly for more than 50 years, often cited as the top student newscast in the state. It airs across Northern California and is streamed globally online. A new HDTV studio and breaking news desk will allow students to rep or news worldwide as it happens.
Access Magazine
Access Magazine, SJSU's award-winning periodical, has been published regularly for more than 25 years. Students report on the people, stories and trends that define student life, serving as editors, art directors and photo editors. Every aspect of the magazine — writing, photography, illustration and design — is created by students.
SHIFT
SHIFT, the newest JMC student magazine, is part of SJSU's Social Innovation Initiatives program. Its goal is to be a catalyst for social change in the Silicon Valley. SHIFT is published in partnership with Hewlett-Packard, which distributes it globally on HP MagCloud.
Equal Time
Equal Time is a Bay Area public affairs news program produced by advanced students and aired on the local PBS station. In-depth reports connect the audience with timely, sometimes controversial issues that affect people in the state, the nation and the world.
The Spear
THE SPEAR is San José State University's newest publication that provides sports media coverage of the SJSU Spartans NCAA Division 1 (D1) programs, campus club teams and local professional sports. Spear content has been borrowed and publicized by multiple professional organizations including The Washington Post and NBC Bay Area. Partnered with a sports journalism course through the Journalism and Mass Communications Department, The Spear provides the SJSU community with sports news and gives students an outlet to learn and hone skills in the sports media industry.
Learn By Doing
Meet to discuss your internship planning and application follow‐up strategies. Bring your proposed internship job description printed out, with a fully completed and full signed Internship Agreement form plus a copy of your MySJSU transcript for final review and approval before receiving an add code for MCOM 111.
SJSU students majoring in Advertising, Journalism and Public Relations are required,
as part of their degree program, to work a 250-hour professional internship. The company
and location is selected by the student from a wide range of pre-approved traditional
and new media opportunities.
Students must successfully complete prerequisite coursework in their majors, meet
minimum grade point average requirements, and submit a completed Internship Agreement,
signed by faculty advisors and on-site professional supervisors before the internship
may be started. The school requires that internships be paid experiences, and the
student be reimbursed at least the cost of registering for this academic credit experience.
Student progress during the internship is carefully monitored by school faculty and on-site supervisors. Examples of professional efforts generated by students (i.e. copies of news stories or clippings, online postings, press releases, tape productions, etc.) must be submitted to the school, during the internship, for review and evaluation. Post-internship supervisor evaluations are required.
The School of Journalism and Mass Communications is proud to report that SJSU students consistently receive the highest commendation for top-quality service in all professional media internships.
Program Learning Objectives (PLOs)
Our Program Learning Objectives (PLOs) for the journalism major are the overarching core values and student responsibilities that reflect San Jose State University, and the national accreditation standards established by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Our commitment to student success is showcased in our four Program Learning Objectives. The core PLOs for our Journalism undergraduate program:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the diversity of groups in a global society in relationship to communications.
- Demonstrate the ability to think critically, creatively, and independently.
- Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communication professions, audiences, and purposes they serve.
- Demonstrate the ability to use tools and technologies appropriate for the communications profession in which they work.
Awards and Recognition
Our student media outlets have consistently been the pride of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications and recently they have been recognized as some of the best in the state and even among the best in the nation. SJSU student journalists have been honored for their investigative work as well as their art and design talents.
These awards give our students the recognition they deserve for their hard work and dedication, and give them the ability to put “award-winning journalist” on their resumes.
2023
National Awards
- Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker Awards 2023 (1 award)
- Best Newspaper/Newsmagazine -- Spartan Daily (winner)
- College Media Association Pinnacle Awards 2023 (5 awards)
- Best Multi-Weekly Newspaper -- Spartan Daily (2nd)
- Best Special Section/Issue -- Spartan Daily (1st)
- Best Special Section Cover -- Bryanna Bartlett and Myenn Rahnoma, Spartan Daily (1st)
- Best Newspaper Opinion Page/Spread -- Bryanna Bartlett and Myenn Rahnoma, Spartan Daily (1st)
- Best Column -- Bojana Cvijic, Spartan Daily (2nd)
- ACP/CMA Fall National College Media Convention Best of Show Awards 2023 (1 award)
- Best Newspaper -- Spartan Daily (9th)
- ACP/CMA Spring National College Media Convention Best of Show Awards 2023 (2 awards)
- Best Newspaper -- Spartan Daily (3rd)
- People's Choice -- Spartan Daily (1st)
- 2023: College Media Association Pinnacle Awards 2023 (1 award)
- Best Magazine Cover -- Joanna Chavez, Access (1st)
- ACP/CMA Spring National College Media Convention Best of Show Awards 2023 (2 awards)
- Best Feature Magazine -- Access (6th)
- Best Feature Magazine -- Spear (8th)
Statewide Awards
- California News Publishers Association California News Awards 2023 (6 awards)
- General Excellence – Spartan Daily (1st)
- Best Columns – Bojana Cvijic, Spartan Daily (2nd)
- Best News Photo -- Nick Zamora, Spartan Daily (2nd)
- Best Feature Photo – Adrian Pereda, Spartan Daily (2nd)
- Best Illustration – Xena Seo, Spartan Daily (2nd)
- Best Writing – Saumya Monga, Spartan Daily (3rd)
- California College Media Association Awards 2023 (8 awards)
- Best Newspaper – Spartan Daily (1st)
- Best Special Issue/Section -- Spartan Daily Staff (1st)
- Best Non-News Video -- Evan Reinhardt, Spartan Daily (1st)
- Best Feature Photograph -- Adrian Pereda, Spartan Daily (1st)
- Best Editorial Cartoon -- Carolyn Brown, Spartan Daily (2nd)
- Best Illustration – Daisha Sherman, Spartan Daily (2nd)
- Best Photo Illustration -- Nick Ybarra, Spartan Daily (2nd)
- Best News Photograph -- Nick Zamora, Spartan Daily (2nd)
- California College Media Association Awards 2023 (2 awards)
- Best Digital Magazine -- The Spear (1st)
- Best Magazine Cover Design -- Joanna Chavez, Access (2nd)
2022
National Awards
- ACP/CMA Fall National College Media Convention Best of Show Awards 2022 (1 award) Best Newspaper -- Spartan Daily (4th)
- ACP/CMA Spring National College Media Convention Best of Show
- Awards 2022 (1 award) Best Newspaper -- Spartan Daily (4th)
- Awards 2022 (1 award) Best Feature Magazine -- Access (6th)
Statewide Awards
- California News Publishers Association California News Awards 2022 (9 awards)
- General Excellence – Spartan Daily (1st)
- Best Enterprise News Story or Series – Stephanie Lam, Christina Casillas, Madilynne Medina, Christine Stevens (1st)
- Best Enterprise News Story or Series – Jovanna Olivares, Sandra Santos-Cruz (3rd)
- Best Feature Photo – Evan Reinhardt, Spartan Daily (1st)
- Best Columns – Amani Hamed, Spartan Daily (2nd)
- Best News Photo – Madilynne Medina, Spartan Daily (3rd)
- Best Sports Photo – Travis Wynn, Spartan Daily (3rd)
- Best Illustration – Hanz Pacheco, Spartan Daily (5th)
- Best Coverage of the COVID-19 Pandemic – Jacqueline Vela, Spartan Daily (5th)
- California College Media Association Awards 2022 (15 awards)
- Best Newspaper – Spartan Daily (2nd)
- Best Feature Story -- Amani Hamed, Spartan Daily (1st)
- Best Editorial -- Erica Lizarrago, Olivia Gerber, Samantha Herrera, Spartan Daily (1st)
- Best Newspaper Column -- Amani Hamed, Spartan Daily (1st)
- Best Sports Story -- Jesus Tellitud, Spartan Daily (1st)
- Best Feature Photograph -- Evan Reinhardt, Spartan Daily (1st)
- Best Special Issue/Section -- Spartan Daily Staff (1st) Best
- Breaking News Story -- Madilynne Medina, Spartan Daily (2nd)
- Best Social Media Reporting -- Jesus Tellitud, Spartan Daily (2nd)
- Best News Photograph -- Madilynne Medina, Spartan Daily (2nd)
- Best COVID-19 Coverage -- Spartan Daily Staff (2nd)
- Best Sports Photograph -- Travis Wynn, Spartan Daily (3rd)
- Best Photo Illustration -- Nick Ybarra, Spartan Daily (3rd)
- Best Editorial Cartoon -- Bianca Rader, Spartan Daily (3rd)
- Best Non-News Video -- Evan Reinhardt, Spartan Daily (3rd)
- California College Media Association Awards 2022 (2 awards)
- Best Magazine Story -- Candace Farmer, Access (1st)
- Best Magazine Inside Page/Spread Design -- Kah Mun Chia, Access (3rd)
2021
National Awards
- The Spartan Daily continued its success at the national level with another seven awards, including one of the biggest in its history. In the fall, the Daily won first place in the College Media Association’s Pinnacle Awards for Four-Year Daily Newspaper of the Year.
- In the Spring, the Daily again won first place for Best Newspaper in the Associated Collegiate Press’s Best of Show competition.
Statewide Awards
In statewide awards, the Daily collected 12 honors, including seven first-place awards.
- Best Overall Newspaper Design (Chelsea Nguyen Fleige, Marci Suela, Melody Del Rio)
- Best Infographic (Chelsea Nguyen Fleige, Melody Del Rio)
- Best Social Media Reporting (Chelsea Nguyen Fleige, Jesus Tellitud, Bryanna Bartlett)
- Best Photo Illustration (Marci Suela)
- Best Photo Series (Blue Nguyen, Jesus Tellitud, Yann Lapnet), Best Sports Story (Chris Padilla)
- Best Editorial Cartoon (Nick Ybarra).
2020
- Named Best Newspaper by the California College Media Association
- First Place, General Excellence, California News Publishers Association
- First Place, Enterprise News Story or Series, California News Publishers Association
- First Place, Illustration, California News Publishers Association
California News Publishers Association California Journalism Awards 2020 (Statewide, Professional)
- General Excellence – Spartan Daily, 1st place
- Enterprise News Story or Series – Lindsey Boyd, Jana Kadah,
- Mauricio LaPlante, Kunal Mehta, 1st place
- Enterprise News Story or Series – Christian Trujano, 3rd place
- Enterprise News Story or Series – Vicente Vera, Chelsea Nguyen Fleige, 4th place
- News Photo – Mauricio La Plante, 4th place
- Illustration – Nachaela Flores, 1st place
- Illustration – Cindy Cuellar, 4th place
Associated Collegiate Press – National College Media Convention Best of Show 2020
- Best Feature Magazine – Access, 4th place
- Best Newspaper News Special Section/Edition – Spartan Daily, 2nd place
- People’s Choice: Newspaper – Spartan Daily, 4th place
California College Media Association Awards 2020 (Statewide)
- Best Newspaper – Spartan Daily, 1st place
- Best Editorial – Kunal Mehta and Jonathan Austin, 2nd place
- Best News Photograph – Lindsey Boyd, 2nd place
- Best Sports Photograph – Melody Del Rio, 3rd place
- Best Photo Series – Brendan Cross, 3rd place
- Best Newspaper Inside Page/Spread Design – Kunal Mehta, Marci Suela, Lindsey Boyd, 3rd place
- Best Social Media Reporting – Spartan Daily Staff, 3rd place
- Best Podcast – Vicente Vera, 1st place
- Best News Series - Erica Lizarrago, Brendan Cross, Jozy Prabhu, Nathan Doyle, Chris Core, 2nd place
2019
- First Place, Best Overall Newspaper Design, California College Media Association
Associated Collegiate Press – 2019 Story of the Year (National)
- Best News Story – Lindsey Boyd, 2nd place
- Best News Photo – Lindsey Boyd, 5th place
Hearst Journalism Awards 2019 (National)
- Best Enterprise Story – Lindsey Boyd, 2nd place
California College Media Association Awards 2019 (Statewide)
- Best Newspaper – Spartan Daily, 4th place
- Best Illustration – Marci Suela, 2nd place
- Best Infographic – William Dela Cruz, 2nd place
- Best Newspaper Inside Page/Spread Design – William Dela Cruz, 2nd place
- Best Overall Newspaper Design – Marci Suela, Jackie Contreras, Ben Stein, Melisa Yuriar, 1st place
- Best Photo Series – Nicholas Zamora, 2nd place
- Best Sports Photograph – Nicholas Zamora, Honorable Mention
Spartan Print
- CCC Awards for College Coronavirus Coverage (National)
- Sponsored by The Society of Professional Journalists, the Associated Collegiate Press, the Society for News Design, College Broadcasters, Inc., and the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education
- Design Award – Kunal Mehta, Marci Suela
Degree Requirements
Degree Roadmap
The following road map is an advising tool that outlines the path of courses a student can take to complete requirements for graduation. This roadmap should be used in consultation with the catalog and your department to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums).
