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Journalism
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Contact: Michelle DoughertyTitle: Department Co-ChairContact: mdougherty@mtsac.edu
Career Outlook Journalism

Humanities and Social Sciences Division
Degree A0400

The Associate in Arts in Journalism for Transfer provides a broad base of education in the discipline and introduces students to journalism and multimedia. It gives students the option of studying journalistic writing for traditional and online media. Completion of the degree provides students with the core skills and knowledge needed to pursue a baccalaureate degree in Journalism. Students who earn this degree will be able to transfer to university or enter the local job market. In this program, students will gain hands-on experience with all aspects of news gathering, organizing, writing, and disseminating information.

To earn an Associate in Arts degree for Transfer a student must complete 60 semester units that are eligible for transfer to the CSU that consist of: IGETC pattern or CSU GE breadth and a major of at least 18 units. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework to receive an associate degree for transfer and all courses in the major must be completed with a C or better. Students earning an associate degree for transfer will not be required to complete any other local graduation requirements.

Required Courses

Industry StatisticsJob Titles & Salaries
Select a related job title below to view demand & salary information
    • Media Programming Directors

      Media Programming Directors

      SOC Career Code: 27-2012.03

      Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $34.22

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $97,246.54
      Annual Job Openings
      4,525

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Radio and Television Announcers

      Radio and Television Announcers

      SOC Career Code: 27-3011.00

      Speak or read from scripted materials, such as news reports or commercial messages, on radio, television, or other communications media. May play and queue music, announce artist or title of performance, identify station, or interview guests.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $26.03

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $78,591.44
      Annual Job Openings
      349

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Reporters and Journalists

      Reporters and Journalists

      SOC Career Code: 27-3023.00

      Narrate or write news stories, reviews, or commentary for print, broadcast, or other communications media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, or television. May collect and analyze information through interview, investigation, or observation.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $23.41

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $77,992.48
      Annual Job Openings
      844

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Editors

      Editors

      SOC Career Code: 27-3041.00

      Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $28.02

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $82,212.63
      Annual Job Openings
      2,059

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Technical Writers

      Technical Writers

      SOC Career Code: 27-3042.00

      Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $32.80

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $99,966.27
      Annual Job Openings
      658

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Writers and Authors

      Writers and Authors

      SOC Career Code: 27-3043.00

      Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $16.40

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $63,650.86
      Annual Job Openings
      3,408

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Photographers

      Photographers

      SOC Career Code: 27-4021.00

      Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $15.10

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $60,260.47
      Annual Job Openings
      2,195

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Film and Video Editors

      Film and Video Editors

      SOC Career Code: 27-4032.00

      Edit moving images on film, video, or other media. May work with a producer or director to organize images for final production. May edit or synchronize soundtracks with images.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $25.34

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $75,250.74
      Annual Job Openings
      1,339

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages

Certificate & Degree Details

Select a certificate below to expand details
  • Journalism

    Humanities and Social Sciences Division
    Degree A0400

    The Associate in Arts in Journalism for Transfer provides a broad base of education in the discipline and introduces students to journalism and multimedia. It gives students the option of studying journalistic writing for traditional and online media. Completion of the degree provides students with the core skills and knowledge needed to pursue a baccalaureate degree in Journalism. Students who earn this degree will be able to transfer to university or enter the local job market. In this program, students will gain hands-on experience with all aspects of news gathering, organizing, writing, and disseminating information.

    To earn an Associate in Arts degree for Transfer a student must complete 60 semester units that are eligible for transfer to the CSU that consist of: IGETC pattern or CSU GE breadth and a major of at least 18 units. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework to receive an associate degree for transfer and all courses in the major must be completed with a C or better. Students earning an associate degree for transfer will not be required to complete any other local graduation requirements.

    Required Courses

    Course Prefix Course Name Units
    Core Courses
    JOUR 100Introduction to Mass Communications3
    JOUR 101Beginning Writing and Reporting for the Mass Media3
    JOUR 114Student News Media Staff3
    List A
    Choose one course from the following:3
    JOUR 102
    Intermediate Writing and Reporting for Mass Media
    JOUR 108
    Introduction to Public Relations
    JOUR 115
    Student News Media Editing Staff
    JOUR 116
    Multimedia Storytelling
    List B
    Choose two courses from the following 6-7
    BUSC 1A
    Principles of Economics - Macroeconomics
    or BUSC 1AH
    Principles of Economics - Macroeconomics - Honors
    BUSC 1B
    Principles of Economics - Microeconomics
    or BUSC 1BH
    Principles of Economics - Microeconomics - Honors
    BUSC 17
    Applied Business Statistics
    ENGL 1B
    English - Introduction to Literary Types
    or ENGL 1BH
    English - Introduction to Literary Types - Honors
    ENGL 1C
    Critical Thinking and Writing
    or ENGL 1CH
    Critical Thinking and Writing - Honors
    JOUR 106
    Online Media Laboratory
    JOUR 107
    Race, Culture, Gender, and Mass Media Images
    JOUR 111
    Writing Broadcast and Web News
    MATH 110
    Elementary Statistics
    or MATH 110H
    Elementary Statistics - Honors
    PHIL 3
    Introduction to Logic
    or PHIL 3H
    Introduction to Logic - Honors
    PHIL 9
    Critical Thinking and Writing
    or PHIL 9H
    Critical Thinking and Writing - Honors
    PHOT 10
    Basic Digital and Film Photography
    POLI 1
    Introduction to American Government and Politics
    or POLI 1H
    Introduction to American Government and Politics - Honors
    POLI 2
    Comparative Politics
    POLI 25
    Latino Politics in the United States
    POLI 35
    African American/Black Politics
    PSYC 10
    Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
    R-TV 02
    On-Air Personality Development
    R-TV 19A
    Beginning Video Production
    SOC 20
    Introduction to Race and Ethnicity
    or SOC 20H
    Introduction to Race and Ethnicity - Honors
    SOC 23
    Introduction to Statistics in Sociology and Social Sciences
    SPCH 20
    Argumentation and Debate
    or SPCH 20H
    Argumentation and Debate - Honors
    SPCH 30
    Introduction to Communication Theory
    or SPCH 30H
    Introduction to Communication Theory - Honors
    Total Units for Major18-21
    CSU General Education or IGETC Pattern 139-42
    Total Units60
    1

     Courses may be double-counted with either CSU-GE or IGETC

    Journalism Website

How to Complete the Program

Guided Pathways

Program Guided Pathways

Contacts

Department Contact

Contact: Michelle DoughertyTitle: Department Co-ChairContact: mdougherty@mtsac.edu

Office Contact

Location: Building 26D-1471APhone: (909) 274-5424