Journalism
Build your career as an investigator, truth-teller, and journalist with an Associate of Arts transfer degree in Journalism from Arapahoe Community College.
Do you want to investigate the truth, learn how to navigate the often confusing and competing messages in our news, and share those insights ethically with others? Our Journalism Associate of Arts Transfer Degree helps students develop real-world skills in the journalism field through instruction and cutting-edge multimedia equipment. You’ll build your professional portfolio and industry relationships throughout the program, so you are prepared to start your career or transfer to a 4-year university to continue your education. Students will have the opportunity to join The Arapahoe Pinnacle, where members get hands-on journalism experience and the opportunity to publish their own stories. Come learn from our distinguished faculty how to investigate, tell truths, and ethically share your stories.
What You'll Learn
You will learn to interview, report, request, and analyze official documents, write, edit, take pictures, write captions, and put together audio and video stories in a real-world environment. Many of these skills are transferable to other job markets as well.
CIP 090401 (DJOU)
The purpose of a statewide articulation agreement is to identify the courses a student at a Colorado public community college must complete as part of an AA/AS degree to be guaranteed to be able to complete the designated baccalaureate degree program at any public four-year college and university (hereafter referred to as receiving institutions) that offers that program within the minimum number of credits designated by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education.
For more information about this transfer degree please refer to the Colorado Department of Higher Education website.
Admission Requirements
Program Requirements
- ENG 1021 and ENG 1022 OR
- ENG 1022 and a GT Pathways GT-CO3 course
- Any GT Pathways GT-MA1 course (MAT 1240 Math for Liberal Arts preferred)
- Two GT Pathways Arts & Humanities courses (GT-AH1, GT-AH2, GT-AH3, or GT-AH4)
- One GT Pathways History course GT-HI1
- Two GT Pathways Social & Behavioral Sciences courses (GT-SS1, GT-SS2 or GT-SS3)
- Two GT Pathways Natural & Physical Sciences courses (GT-SC1, GT-SC2). One of these courses must have the required laboratory (GT-SC1).
Please Note: If these credits are not required for the major at a receiving 4-year institution, they will be applied to the Bachelor's degree as elective credit towards graduation. Please check with the receiving institution to determine in which way these courses will be applied.
Plus choose any one of the following (3 Credits):
Elective credit must be completed from the following lists of approved prefixes or courses to bring the total credit hours to 60. (See section on limitations regarding any additional courses taken in the major. Students should consider using their free electives to explore an additional area of focus.)
- Any Guaranteed Transfer course.
- Any course in the following prefixes except Special Topics (2075) and Independent Study (2085): ANT, ART, BIO (1000 OR above), CHE, ECO, HIS, HUM, LIT, MUS, PED, PHY (1105 OR above), POS, PSY, SOC.
- HWE 1061 - Fitness and Wellness 2 Credits
ANY Foreign Language (including ASL) numbered 1011 OR higher
All courses required for this degree must be completed with a "C" or better to be considered for transfer to another Colorado institution. Transferability of courses to colleges or universities outside of Colorado is determined by the receiving institution.
Graduation Requirements
- Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
ACC academic plans will help guide you through your chosen program. The academic plan will provide you with important information, like which semesters courses are offered if there are any prerequisites or co-requisites for courses, program outcomes, course sequence recommendations, notes for the program, graduation requirements, and other important information. These are updated annually, so we recommend downloading a copy of yours to keep on track to graduation.
How an Education in Journalism Can Prepare You for Diverse Careers
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has approved ACC’s English Transfer AA for the following Career Readiness Competencies:
Career and Self-Development
Look at the field of journalism through a professional lens and identify the stories that matter most to you and our society. Examine your strengths and opportunities as journalists and professional and hone your skills through real world experience publishing in The Arapahoe Pinnacle, ACC’s award-winning student publication.
Communication
Uncover stories that our society needs to know, learn to communicate these stories through with a variety of evidence and facts, ethically and accurately using in variety of journalistic mediums from mass media, photojournalism, and magazine writing.
Critical Thinking
Understand how stories exist in situational context; develop your skill in analyzing audiences and the information they need to know to act in their own lives.
Equity and Inclusion
Develop an awareness of the issues impacting equity and inclusion in our society. Examine a variety of different authors and backgrounds and investigate the challenges facing our communities. Learn how to articulate important stories to promote a more informed public to create more inclusive systems, structures, and policies.
Teamwork and Professionalism
Understand the values of teamwork and professionalism in writing, as you come together with others to refine stories and publish writing in The Arapahoe Pinnacle, ACC’s award-winning student publication.
Job Opportunities in Journalism
Related Degrees
If you are interested in a career in Journalism, English or an English-related field, consider our other programs as well.
English AA
English AA
Unlock your mind and discover new ways of seeing our world with an Associate of Arts in English.
Creative Writing AA
Creative Writing AA
Tell important stories, create new worlds, entertain and evoke emotions...pursue your passion for writing with an Associate of Arts Transfer degree in Creative Writing.
