Journalism, E. W. Scripps School of

Thomas Hodson, Director

TBA, Associate Director

Joe Bernt, Director of Graduate Studies

Bachelor of Science in Journalism

Ohio University’s E. W. Scripps School of Journalism is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. It is one of a limited number of accredited schools and departments of journalism in the United States.

Mission Statement

The E. W. Scripps School of Journalism is dedicated to the needs of its students; to excellence in teaching, advising, service, and research; and to leadership in journalism education. The school provides a liberal arts foundation combined with a professional education and practical experience for its students. The goals are to search for truth; to develop critical analysis, thinking, writing, and speaking abilities; to enhance free, responsible, and effective expression of ideas. To that end, the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism:

stresses the importance of the First Amendment;
fosters the highest standards of journalism ethics;
prepares students to enter the journalism professions;
provides a liaison between students and professionals;
involves students and faculty in an extended University;
values an international presence and perspective;
attracts, nurtures, and retains a diverse group of outstanding students;
expands scholarly activity to enhance the body of knowledge within journalism;
supports a diverse faculty offering an array of contributions;
offers an environment that equips students to live in a diverse world; and
upholds the University mission of commitment to educational excellence through focus on the individual student.

The School

Journalism today is a profession that incorporates knowledge from various disciplines, as well as critical thinking and practical application skills. At the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism, the curriculum is blended with a strong liberal arts foundation with professional skills courses.

Six sequences are offered, all leading to the Bachelor of Science in Journalism degree: advertising management, broadcast news, magazine, news writing and editing, public relations, and online journalism. Students interested in being reporters, editors, analysts, producers, newsroom managers, and public relations specialists should enroll in the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism. Those interested in studio and field production should enroll in the School of Telecommunications, and those interested in photojournalism or graphic design should enroll in the School of Visual Communication.

The Institute for International Journalism is housed within the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism, and prepares students to work as international journalists, supports research on topics related to international journalism, enhances communication among journalists, students, and media scholars, and cooperates with global partners in journalism education. With funding provided through endowed scholarships, more than 200 Ohio University journalism majors have completed John R. Wilhelm foreign correspondence internships in about 30 countries since the program began in 1970.

In cooperation with The Sales Centre in the College of Business, the School of Journalism provides students the opportunity to earn a certificate in media sales. This is a professional development program that uses advertising coursework from the School of Journalism and marketing courses through The Sales Centre in the College of Business. Admission to the program is competitive and applications can be obtained from the Sales Centre, Copeland 609.

Media Practice

A basic philosophy of the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism is that students need media experience while working toward their degrees. Experience is available on a laboratory magazine, Southeast Ohio; on a community Web site, Athensi.com; and on a daily laboratory news broadcast, Athens MidDay.

Many students add to their experience by writing for and editing The Post, the independent daily campus newspaper; the Athena, the University yearbook; or The Ohio Journalist, the school’s alumni publication. Some also serve on the staffs of local newspapers and University publications.

In broadcast news, students can get practical experience preparing and broadcasting news over WOUB AM, FM, and TV, the University’s radio and television stations, and over the local cable television system.

Online journalism opportunities are available for students through virtually any department or agency on campus or in the community. Speakeasy (speakeasymag.com) is a student produced Web magazine. Journalism students focus on campus and Athens activities on this unique webzine.

Public relations students gain hands-on experience through ImPRessions, a student-run public relations agency. Advertising students participate annually in the National Student Advertising Competition, working on a campaign for a national client.

New technology is an important element within any journalism career. The E. W. Scripps School of Journalism is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and provides courses and practical experience to aid students in developing the skills required to adapt to the new age of journalism.

Internship Program

Consistent with its policy of combining classwork with practical training, the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism requires each student to complete an advisor-approved internship. Interns are provided with varied hands-on experiences in media-related organizations. Internship opportunities are located throughout the nation and abroad.

Admission Requirements

The E. W. Scripps School of Journalism admits only the best academically and professionally qualified freshmen who rank in the top 15 percent of their high school class and meet minimum standardized test score requirements (25 ACT / 1140 SAT). Students demonstrating notable talent or experience and members of disproportionately represented groups will be given special consideration. Please Note: The school has an admission deadline of December 15, which is much earlier than the University’s application deadline.

Transfer Students

The transfer process is a competitive one. The school selects only the most qualified students for the program. The academic quality of the journalism curriculum depends in part on maintaining enrollment at a number that may be effectively served by our faculty. The school is dedicated to top-quality instruction, and its transfer policy is one means through which that goal is achieved. The transfer policy applies to students from other universities as well as students in other units on campus. The following outlines the criteria required for application to transfer, but meeting these criteria does not guarantee acceptance.

Approximately 40 transfer students will be accepted annually into the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism.
Transfer students from within or outside Ohio University will be considered only when they have completed at least 48 quarter hours (32 semester hours) with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
In addition to grades, consideration will be given to journalism courses taken, journalism experience or background in a program offered by the school (professional or college), test scores, letters of recommendation, personal statements of intent, and work samples.
You must apply for transfer using the School’s Application for Transfer form that is available on the School’s Web site http://scrippsjschool.org/.
Official transcripts, letters, and other supporting documents must be attached to the Application for Transfer at the time of its submission.
Transfer applications are accepted twice during the academic year – no later than October 1 for transfer in winter quarter and March 1 for transfer in fall quarter. Application for transfer can be made only once per academic year. Applications must be received by the above dates. Late applications will not be considered.
A special faculty committee will conduct evaluations and recommendations. The School’s Director and Associate Director will make final decisions.