Journalism and Public Relations

Department Chair: Emma Daugherty

Office: Liberal Arts 4 (LA4) Room 106
Telephone: (562) 985‑4981 FAX: (562) 985-5300

Website: http://www.cla.csulb.edu/departments/journalism/

Faculty: Lee Brown (Emeritus), Christopher Burnett, Emma Daugherty, Daniel Garvey (Emeritus), Jennifer Fleming, Heloiza Herscovitz, Christopher Karadjov, Wayne Kelly (Emeritus), Gary Metzker, William Mulligan (Emeritus), Danny Paskin, Teresa Puente, Soumitro Sen, Gwen Shaffer, John Shrader, Barbara Kingsley-Wilson, Whitney Mandel (Emeritus)

Administrative Support Coordinator: Nesha Saucier

Administrative Support Assistant: Connie Marie Calimbas

Technology Coordinator: Dan Olsen

Academic Advisors: Jennifer Fleming, Danny Paskin

Librarian: Carol Perruso

Career Possibilities

Journalist • Public Relations Specialist • Editor • Online Journalist • Marketing Communications Professional • Multimedia Journalist • Publicist • Editor • Photojournalist • Reporter • Social Media Manager • Television Producer • Sports Writer • Designer • Photographer • Special Events Coordinator • Newscaster • Copy Writer • Critic • Technical Writer • Proofreader • Communications Manager • Public Information Officer • Digital Communications Specialist • Magazine Writer • Radio Announcer (Some of these, and other careers, require additional education or experience. For more information, see www.careers.csulb.edu.)

Introduction

The Department of Journalism and Public Relations offers undergraduate programs that prepare students for careers in journalism and public relations. Students take courses that provide both a strong theoretical foundation and real-life, hands-on training in the skills they need to pursue careers in communications. Journalism graduates become reporters, editors, bloggers, broadcasters, designers and managers at media organizations and are trained in multimedia storytelling and communicating across multiple platforms, including newspapers, magazines, online media, social media, radio, and television.

Public relations graduates become public relations professionals in corporations, nonprofit organizations, and communication firms and specialize in employee relations, media relations, community relations, multicultural relations, consumer relations, marketing communications, public affairs, and special event management. In their classes, students learn how to use both traditional and digital forms of media, including social media, to communicate with target audiences. Advanced students become skilled in strategic planning and campaign development.

Throughout their coursework, journalism and public relations students have the opportunity to work as staff writers, editors, designers and photographers at campus media affiliated with the department: the Daily 49er, the campus newspaper; DIG Magazine, the campus monthly magazine; the online editions of both the Daily 49er and DIG Magazine; Beach Byline, the department’s alumni magazine; K-Beach Radio, the campus radio station; and College Beat TV. Students also serve as account supervisors, creative directors, art directors, copywriters, event planners, and social media managers on the Bateman Case Study Competition Team. The Bateman Case Study Competition is the prestigious national collegiate contest for public relations students. All students working with department-affiliated media and the Bateman team work closely with department faculty members who serve as advisors for each group.

The department is home to four active student organizations: National Association of Black Journalists, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Public Relations Student Society of America, and Society of Professional Journalists. The department also sponsors annual events for students: the Student Success Orientation, Journalism & Public Relations Day, and the Journalism and Public Relations Awards Ceremony and Reception.

All students are required to complete an internship in journalism or public relations either on or off campus. The department maintains a comprehensive directory of placements, and internship opportunities are abundant in Southern California, one of the nation’s largest media markets. All majors and minors are strongly encouraged to meet with one of the department’s two academic advisors once a semester to plan their coursework.

Programs

Undergraduate Degrees

Minor