Academic Catalogs

Journalism, Associate in Arts Degree

Banner Code: 1_AA_JOUR

Control Number: 14411

Financial Aid Eligible


Students graduating with an Associate of Arts degree in Journalism will be prepared to enter the workforce in an entry level capacity without transfer to a four-year university. Students will gain skills in newswriting, feature writing, editing, design, photography, multimedia producing and editorial design making.

Program Outcomes

  1. The student will be able to write a balanced news article on deadline in traditional journalistic style incorporating interviewing skills, analyzing information and presenting a complete, balanced story.
  2. Students will demonstrate an ability to write, edit and produce all aspects of the bi-weekly campus newspaper Coast Report, including an understanding of design, photography use and editing peer's articles.
  3. Students will be able to evaluate online media and distinguish between mainstream, traditional media and news promoting a philosophy or one-sided agenda. They will also be able to evaluate blogs and social media.
  4. Students will demonstrate the ability to use visual journalism to tell a story.

Review Graduation Requirements and General Education

Course Title Units
Required Courses
Core Courses
JOUR A110News Writing and Reporting3
JOUR A115Student Newspaper I4
CMST A240Media Literacy3
Restricted Electives
Select at least eight units of the following:8
Introduction to Mass Communications
Television Production 1
Multi-Media Reporting and Producing
Feature Writing
Student Newspaper II
Photojournalism
Coast Report Editorial Board Level 1
American Government and Politics
Program Major Units18
OCC AA General Education and Multicultural Requirements 1,2,3Up to 27
Degree-applicable electives to satisfy unit requirementVaries
Total Minimum Degree Units - OCC AA GE60
1

Some program major units may also meet GE requirements.

2

Cal-GETC pattern (up to 34 units) may be substituted.

3

Multicultural Requirement may be met with a General Education or Major course.

Program Sequence

These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
JOUR A110 News Writing and Reporting 3
OCC AA GE AREA 1A - CHOOSE ONE 3
OCC AA GE AREA 4 - CHOOSE ONE 3
OCC AA GE AREA 6 - CHOOSE ONE 3
 Units12
Semester 2
CMST A240 Media Literacy 3
AA RESTRICTED ELECTIVE - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 1 3
OCC AA GE AREA 2 - CHOOSE ONE 3
OCC AA GE AREA 3 - CHOOSE ONE 3
AA Global/Multicultural Requirement - CHOOSE ONE 2 3
 Units15
Summer
ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 3 3
 Units3
Year 2
Semester 1
JOUR A115 Student Newspaper I 4
OCC AA GE AREA 5 - CHOOSE ONE 3
OCC AA GE AREA 7E THEORY - CHOOSE ONE 4 2-4
OCC AA GE AREA 7E ACTIVITY - CHOOSE ONE 4 1-4
ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 3 3
 Units13-18
Semester 2
AA RESTRICTED ELECTIVE - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 1 5
ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 3 12
 Units17
 Total Units60-65
1

Major Restricted Electives - at least a total of eight (8) units are required. 

2

OCC AA Global/ Multicultural required if not already taken in other GE areas, refer to AA Graduation Requirement webpage; if requirement is fulfilled, take degree applicable elective units

3

VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 DEGREE APPLICABLE UNITS 

4

OCC AA GE AREA 7E requires a minimum of 3 units to include one course from 7E- Theory/non-activty and one course from 7E- Activity