Journalism | Sports and Media UF Online

The courses enable students to develop their storytelling talent - in words, visuals or data - and prepare them for careers in all kinds of media professions, including as reporters, writers, photographers, editors, designers, multimedia storytellers, broadcast journalists, and more. The flexible curriculum allows students to work in all kinds of traditional and new media platforms. Excellent writing skills are essential. Graduates of the program work with major journalism and media companies, as well as other industries, and have won prolific honors, including the Pulitzer Prize.

In this curriculum, core courses offer students foundational skills and professional electives and capstones allow students to develop strengths and specialization in one or more areas, such as data, coding, photojournalism, specialized reporting, audio storytelling, TV reporting and producing, design, newsroom skills, narrative nonfiction, and more.

Equipment Requirement

All students who major in journalism are required to own a Mac laptop computer with the appropriate software, a digital audio recorder and a digital camera.
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Sports and Media

The Sports and Media specialization in Journalism teaches students to be skilled in multiples areas of sports media and communications. Students will learn strategies and skills in reporting, writing, video, audio, social media, and more. Students will engage in critical thinking about current issues and trends in today’s sports media—and have multiple opportunities to gain practical and immersive experience in media properties inside and outside of the College of Journalism and Communications.

The Sports and Media specialization is not available for Innovation Academy.

Required Core Coursework | 10 Credits

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Minimum grades of C are required in all sports and media courses. 

Sports and Media Core Coursework | 12 Credits

¹

Minimum grades of C are required in all sports and media courses. 

Professional Electives | 14 Credits

Any other course taken in the College of Journalism and Communications

The journalism curriculum provides a foundation in reporting, writing, numeracy, the use of public records, First Amendment/media law, history of media, and storytelling in a variety of platforms. Specialized coursework is offered in a variety of subjects, and the curriculum is designed to allow flexibility for faculty to develop curriculum in evolving areas (such is the case for the robust development of courses in data journalism and coding, both areas that did not exist several years ago).

Skills developed are applicable to traditional platforms of journalism, as well as new, hybrid, or non-traditional forms of media. Learning outcomes prepare students for the challenges of culturally diverse and technologically changing marketplaces.

The department has two specializations:

Journalism

Students learn base skills required for journalism- and journalism-related careers. Students gain a foundation in reporting, writing, public records, and more, and they all develop a two-course specialization in their area of interest (such as photojournalism, coding, data journalism, specialized reporting, magazine writing, and more). Students come together after these two-course specializations to work in small teams in a common capstone that emphasizes advanced project work.

Sports and Media

While still having roots in traditional journalism, this curriculum has an emphasis on sports-related coursework across the college’s departments. Students are prepared for a variety of careers in sports media. Students are required to do an internship in this curriculum, which can serve as a capstone experience.

Before Graduating Students Must

• Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Content

1. Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts used by journalists.

Critical Thinking

1. Conduct research and evaluation information that is accessible through advanced database and public records.
2. Demonstrate reporting skills that reflect a diverse and pluralistic society.
3. Understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press.

Communication

1. Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the journalism and communications professions and audiences.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Assessment Types

• Exams
• Story Evaluation

Applicants who should complete the SSAR:

• Attended a high school regionally accredited in the United States for at least three years.
• Attended a DODEA (Department of Defense Education Activity) school.

Applicants who should not complete the SSAR:

• Attended a secondary school located outside the United States for more than one semester.
• Studied a curriculum that did not follow the standard U.S. system.

Required: At least three full years of your most recent secondary school transcripts, including courses in progress (grades 9, 10 and 11 + senior schedule) in both the native language of instruction and a word for word certified English translation (if applicable). Unofficial transcripts are accepted electronically via the status Check Status page for the review process, while official transcripts and translations are required upon enrollment.

All applicants, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate English proficiency. English proficiency examination results, such as TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test, are encouraged for non-native English speakers, but are not required for freshman admission. SAT or ACT results are required for all freshman applicants.

• A copy of your transcript for any school you have attended with the grades you have earned
• A list of your high school activities including jobs, clubs, sports, community service, etc.
• Information about your parent(s) or guardian(s), such as educational background, occupation and employer information

Add UF as a university to receive your application and review our specific application requirements.

Fill in your profile information. Your profile is where you'll enter information that will be sent to all schools to which you apply. The University of Florida requires the following sections:

• Information about who you are and how to contact you, your address, citizenship, high school and family information
• Current-year coursework
• Honors and distinctions
• Activities and experiences

Complete the UF Supplement. This includes a few additional short-answer questions so that we can learn more about you when reviewing your application.

Complete the essay questions. The essay helps our admissions staff get to know you better. Use this space to tell us something about yourself that we wouldn’t learn elsewhere in your application. And remember, the best essay topic for you is going to be the one that you are most excited to write about.

Once you have submitted your application, a link will appear on your status page to create your Student Self-Reported Academic Record (SSAR). List your high school courses and grades exactly as they appear on your transcript. You must complete the SSAR by December 1 for your application to be complete. If you begin the SSAR separately before submitting your UF application, be sure to link it to your application once your application has been submitted.

Submit your test scores to UF no later than December 15. You may either self-report your SAT and/or ACT scores through your application status page or send official scores from the testing agency. Since accuracy is critical, students who choose to self-report should have a copy of their SAT/ACT score report(s) available to reference when submitting their scores. Because UF superscores both the SAT and ACT, we encourage you to submit scores for all SAT or ACT tests you have taken. If admitted, students who have self-reported their scores in the admissions process will be required to submit official scores from the testing agency to UF by May 1. UF Institutional Codes:

You may request to begin your studies in either the Summer B or Fall term. The term requested DOES NOT affect the consideration of your application. If you are admitted, we will try to offer you the term you requested, but space limitations may mean you receive an offer for a different term.

When you submit your application, pay the $30 nonrefundable fee by credit card unless you qualify for a fee waiver. In both the Common and Coalition applications, you can indicate in the profile section if you qualify for a fee waiver.

You will receive an email 24-48 hours after submitting your application with instructions to create your MyAdmissions application status credentials. Once completed, you can log in to the MyAdmissions app status portal to keep track of your application status and the materials that UF has received. This is also where you will find the link to create your SSAR.