Frequently Asked Questions
1. Hey, didn't this department used to be called "Journalism and Broadcasting"?
2. Why do we have to choose a particular emphasis? What if I want to be a photojournalist AND a writer?
3. The program's requirements have changed since I entered the program. What should I do now?
4. Can I graduate with a "D" or "F" in a journalism class?
5. I'm in News-Editorial, and I notice that under the 1999-2000 catalog I'm required to take JB 300 Internship. What's the difference between JB 300 and JB 400 Professional Media Internship?
6. What should my minor be?
7. How do I arrange to work at the Sun Star or KSUA?
8. What are my chances of getting a job in my field?
9. Are journalism scholarships available?
10. How do I declare a journalism minor?
11. How am I supposed to keep track of all this stuff?

Hey, didn't this department used to be called "Journalism and Broadcasting"?
Give yourself bonus points for paying attention to details. Yes, the department
recently changed its name to the "Department of Journalism." The new name does not mean we no longer teach or care about broadcasting. Instead, faculty members think that "Journalism" says it all. We are dedicated to teaching the principles and ethics of excellent journalism, no matter what medium is used: newspapers, radio, television, magazines, or the World Wide Web.

Why do we have to choose a particular emphasis? What if I want to be a photojournalist AND a writer?
Focus, focus! Every journalism major declares a particular emphasis by choosing an area to specialize in: Broadcast, News-Editorial, Photojournalism, Public-Relations-Advertising, and Publishing-Multimedia. Short of cloning yourself, you need to pick one emphasis and stick with it, or you'll be here forever. (Not that we won't enjoy your company, but we assume that sooner or you'll want to earn a paycheck.) Each emphasis has its own requirements in addition to the general university requirements every major must take. But if you want to broaden your skills (always a good idea), choose electives in another area of interest. Thus, a photojournalist with an interest in writing might take JB 311 Magazine Article Writing or even JB 401 Beat Reporting. Why can't I take as many journalism classes as I want? [Image] We agree that normal people would want to take nothing but journalism courses during their college careers. However, there are a couple of reasons why you are limited to a certain number of journalism courses. First, journalists should be well-rounded generalists, so you should study from other disciplines. Second, the organization that accredits us insists that you be well-rounded and educated. Thus, you must complete at least 90 credits outside of your journalism major. Of these, 65 should be in math, natural sciences, humanities and social sciences. To satisfy this requirement while progressing toward graduation, you should take only the journalism classes recommended for your emphasis. You can squeeze in a few extra journalism classes if you plan carefully. Some classes are cross-listed in other departments, including, for example, JB/WMS 380 Women, Minorities and the Mass Media. If you would like to take this course, register for it as WMS 380. It will be counted as a general elective or a humanities elective.

The program's requirements have changed since I entered the program. What should I do now?
You can choose which catalog year you plan to graduate under, beginning with the year you entered school. The graduation office will ask you to specify which catalog you are using and then will track your progress based on that year's requirements. What are the most recent changes? We have made several changes as of the 1999-2000 catalog. They are designed to make our students smarter and better prepared, and also to help them graduate with fewer hassles. Anyone who entered UAF during 1999-2000 will be required to follow them. Students who entered before that year may choose to graduate under this catalog also. A summary of the changes follows. * As part of the 18 credits of Social Science or Humanities courses required as part of general university requirements: 1. All journalism majors must take ENGL 317 Traditional English Grammar 2. All journalism majors must take HIST 132 American History OR HIST 452 20th Century American History * All journalism majors must earn a "C" or better in their journalism courses. * Journalism students may choose from a larger list of approved electives. What changes are coming up? We are always discussing ways to improve and update our curriculum. Right now, we are working on additional courses to prepare students for the new world of online journalism. We also hope to create a department-wide online publication where students can display their articles, photographs, audio and video projects, and editing work. If you have ideas about courses or changes you'd like to see, please talk with your advisor or any other faculty member.

Can I graduate with a "D" or "F" in a journalism class?
The department now requires that majors must earn a "C" or better in all department general requirements, major requirements, and any other department offerings. That includes ENGL 317 Traditional Grammar, and HIST 132 American History or HIST 450 20th Century History. If you do not pass these classes, you must repeat them. Journalism minors also must earn a "C" or better in all the courses they use to satisfy their required 15 credits. What if I earn a "D" or "F" in my minor outside of journalism? You can graduate with those grades as long as your GPA for all of your minor classes totals at least a "C." [Image] How do I get an "incomplete" for a class? Sometimes students think they can ask for an incomplete simply because they didn't get around to finishing a class and turning in the work. If only life were so easy. In fact, according to university requirements, an instructor may approve an incomplete only under certain circumstances. First, the student must be earning a C or better. The student also must have been current in the class until at least the final three weeks of the course. Then an incomplete is assigned only if a student hasn't finished because of personal reasons beyond the student's control: major illness, a death in the family, and so on. Finally, the instructor must agree to assign an incomplete. If you do not finish the course by a set time, it may remain on your transcript as an incomplete forever, or your instructor may change it to some grade, such as an "F." If the class is part of your major's requirements, you will not be able to graduate.

I'm in News-Editorial, and I notice that under the 1999-2000 catalog I'm required to take JB 300 Internship. What's the difference between JB 300 and JB 400 Professional Media Internship?
Think of JB 300 as preparation for JB 400. JB 300 gives three credits for a semester's work at the Sun Star as a reporter or an editor. Working on the campus paper will give you some of the skills you will need in the "real world," which is where you will undertake JB 400. We want you to have as much practical, hands-on experience as possible before you graduate. Then you'll have clips and a strong resume? to show prospective employers. Don't tell your high counselor we said so, but most media outlets care much more about your practical experience than your SAT scores or even your GPA. Not that we're advising you to skip classes and ignore poor grades, you understand-we know from our own experience that employers see good grades as evidence that you're a responsible and diligent student. They look at clips as proof that you can actually do the work. See the Sun Star faculty advisor to discuss the requirements of JB 300. How do I arrange a professional internship? [Image] Every journalism major is required to take JB 400 Professional Media Internship. This gives you an opportunity to use and improve your skills in a professional setting under the guidance of a supervisor. For this reason, students may not undertake their professional internship at the Sun Star or KSUA. Talk with your faculty adviser about what you would like to accomplish through this internship. Then you can work together to find a place that is interested in working with an intern while providing you with valuable experience. In the past, students have completed internships at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, the local television and radio stations, campus publication offices, state agencies, and the military's press office. Students also may work at professional outlets in other cities or states. Some internships pay students, and others don't. Don't feel cheated if you're not being paid. The idea is to earn credits and to gain experience in a professional environment-experience that will look good on your resume and that may lead to a job offer. Internship requirements: * Work at least 120 hours. How you arrange your hours is between you and your supervisor. Some students work full-time during Christmas break, for example, while others work several hours each week during the semester. * If you already work in a professional media job, you may not use your job as your practicum. With the approval of your adviser, however, you may work in a different section of your employer's organization. For example, if you are a technical writer, you may be able to complete an internship as the designer of a house newsletter. * Write a short report describing your experiences. This report is kept on file as a way to help guide future students into the right internship.

What should my minor be?
Choose something that interests you and helps broaden your journalism skills. Often our students minor in history, political science, science, business or justice as a way of "specializing." Many professional media outlets prefer employees who can work as business, health, science or political reporters, for example. Once you select a discipline, check with that department to see what paperwork they have for declaring minors. The graduation office will require a memo or similar form listing the classes approved for your minor.

How do I arrange to work at the Sun Star or KSUA?
These organizations offer students valuable experience and the chance to be creative outside of the classroom. The paper and the radio station are always looking for help. (That was a nice way of saying that usually they are desperate for reporters.) However, neither organization is directly affiliated with the journalism department. The Sun Star is a campus newspaper funded through advertising and student activity fees. Each year's Sun Star editor hires the staff. The journalism department encourages its students to work on the paper as reporters, editors, photographers and advertising salespeople. Journalism students in editing and photography classes often submit material or apply for positions both paid and volunteer. In addition, news-editorial students will earn three credits of JB 300 while working on the paper. The department also supplies an adviser. A publication board oversees the paper's operation. This board includes the journalism department head, the adviser, a UAF student, the president of the Associated Students of University of Alaska Fairbanks, and a professional journalist. Also a student-funded enterprise, KSUA-FM hires its own employees and recruits volunteers. A media board is in charge of KSUA.

What are my chances of getting a job in my field?
How hard are you willing to work? Many of our students find jobs immediately after graduation, in Fairbanks and elsewhere in the state and country. A few begin working professionally before they graduate. Right now, UAF journalism graduates are working on the copy desk at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, at television stations in Anchorage and Fairbanks, at ABC News in New York City, on the copy desk at the Duluth News Tribune, in the acquisitions department at Alaska Northwest Publishing, and elsewhere. We believe that anybody who starts gathering clips or tapes, works at campus media outlets, and takes advantage of the numerous opportunities available will have no problem finding a journalism job. In fact, every year editors at newspapers around the state contact us seeking potential employees. To help prepare you for the working world, we encourage you to take part in extracurricular opportunities, including: * paid and volunteer work at the Sun Star, KSUA and KUAC * spring trips to Journalism Week, an annual gathering of Alaska's professional journalists in Anchorage that features workshops by state and national experts * local professional seminars and meetings through the Society of Professional Journalists, Farthest North Pro Chapter * extensive connections to journalism outlets through your faculty members, all of whom continue working professionally * freelance opportunities with local and statewide publications.

Are journalism scholarships available?
We have several scholarships just for our majors. Most can be applied for through the university's annual scholarship process. Ask the department secretary for a copy of the application. A couple of special scholarships are available through individual application processes. The William O. Wood Talent Grant is for students in the publishing and multimedia sequence. The grant awards $1,000 each spring and fall. Deadlines are generally near the end of the calendar year. The Society of Professional Journalists gives an annual $500 award to a journalism major or minor who has clips and a solid GPA. Notice of this grant is posted each spring, usually in March.

How do I declare a journalism minor?
Journalism minors must complete at least 15 credits. These credits must include * JB 301 Basic News Writing and Reporting * JB 101 Introduction to Mass Communication. We have a form in the office that lists the classes you are taking for your minor. Consult with a faculty advisor to choose your courses and turn the form into the Admissions Office.

How am I supposed to keep track of all this stuff?
We are here to advise you and help you navigate through all of the course requirements. The rest is up to you. We understand how complicated it can all seem. (No, really, we do. Try explaining all this some time if you don't believe us.) Meet at least once a semester with your advisor. Generally, this is a professor from the sequence you have chosen. You may also be most comfortable with the person you've been consulting with since you were a freshman. Together, you will track your progress with the help of a checklist that includes core, general university and major requirements. At least a year before graduation, you should ask the Graduation Office to do a credit check. That office will outline what requirements remain to be fulfilled.